Cambridge Uni 1 Chelmsford II 1

Slazenger England Hockey Women's

Conference East

Cambridge University 1 Chelmsford Ladies II 1

CHELMSFORD travelled to last weekend's away fixture with a much-changed squad due to injury and unavailability but welcomed two promising youngsters into the team in Poppy Church and Georgia Herron. Knowing that they faced a tough challenge fitness wise with such a small squad, the greens dug deep to pull out a gritty performance and earn a point despite heading for a win until the last ten minutes.

Given the introduction of new players to the team and a number of regulars having to play out of position, it was unsurprising that the home team started the brighter. Their quick passing and moving put the Chelmsford on the back foot and exposed some gaps in the defence. However, Chelmsford were able to deal with the pressure and gradually worked their way back into the game with some good long balls distributed by Kath Macdonald from central midfield.

The Greens started to find a way through the Cambridge defence with Church and Herron making some good runs up front, and Ally Farrar and Judith Duffin breaking through from midfield to cause trouble. Rewarded with a short corner for their efforts, Sarah Williams duly converted from the top to put Chelmsford in front 20 minutes into the first half. The next 15 minutes until the break saw scrappy play come into the game - the up-tempo pace resulting in tired legs but no further goals came.

The second half continued at the same pace with Cambridge pressuring for the equaliser and on a number of occasions were unlikely not to find the net. Despite sustaining a training injury, Chelmsford introduced Louisa Smith for a short spell early into the second half but was called into defensive duties as the attacks from the home team continued. With just 10 minutes to go, the Greens were left frustrated when a well-worked short corner routine ended with the ball in the back of the net to level scores.

With such a small squad, tiredness started to play a big factor in the final period but Chelmsford continued to dig deep. Farrar worked tirelessly on the right and following a determined attacking run was able to make a well placed cross which Herron was unlucky not to connect with to seal the points.

Finishing all square, Chelmsford felt frustrated not to take all three points, but were encouraged by the solid, hard working performance of the team.