East Men’s League

Premier A

CHELMSFORD slumped to their second heavy league defeat in just three games at home to Cambridge University on Saturday. Despite enjoying their fair share of possession, Chelmsford lacked the clinical edge in front of goal demonstrated by the visitors which could have earned them at least a share of the points.

Following on from last week’s comprehensive victory over Dereham, the mood in the Chelmsford camp was confident and they started the game applying heavy pressure to their opponents. This created a number of early opportunities, but the Cambridge defence stood firm with two particularly impressive goal line saves from Tom Fanger short corners.

The students gradually grew into the game and took the lead through their first penalty corner of the game which was despatched into the bottom left corner.

Following the goal, Cambridge took control, and with Chelmsford pushing for an equaliser before half time, they tried to force play forward at every opportunity. However, after snuffing out a Cambridge attack, Fanger’s rushed pass forward fell kindly for the visiting centre forward who left Ben Sully no chance in the Chelmsford goal.

Chelmsford recommenced after the break as they had done in the first, but once again failed to convert their possession into goals as they lacked composure in and around the D. As they chased the game, a hotly disputed penalty corner effectively ended the contest when the Chelmsford defence failed to clear their lines after the initial set-piece had broken down, leaving a simple far post tap-in.

Cambridge added insult to injury when a late penalty corner looped into the far corner leaving the score line looking more one-sided than the game would suggest.

Next week Chelmsford make the short trip to Havering looking for a repeat of their 2-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last year.