Slazenger Men's EHL Division OneChelmsford 1 Southgate 6Chelmsford's new campaign got off to the worst possible start as they lost 6-1 to a well prepared Southgate side.
Slazenger Men's EHL
Division One
Chelmsford 1 Southgate 6
Chelmsford's new campaign got off to the worst possible start as they lost 6-1 to a well prepared Southgate side.
It was a bit of a crash landing for the young Essex outfit who had out several impressive performances together during pre-season.
Southgate, who's side contained no less than three South African internationals plus a Zimbabwean international, ran out deserved winners as several members of the Chelmsford side had below par performances.
Zimbabwean Jordache Rawson grabbed the opening goal as Luke Mepham managed to charge down and deflect his corner into the opposite corner of the goal.
Chelmsford had several chances to even the score up, including three one-on-ones with Southgate captain Chris Hibbert, however they were unable find a way past the South African league player of the year.
Southgate effectively sealed the win with goals either side of half time.
Matt Fitter squeezed one in 60 seconds before the break and Rawson made it a brace a minute after half time with a backhand strike.
Adam Wilson and Mark Ellis compounded Chelmsford's frustration to make it 5-0 before Mepham got a consolation with a fine strike from a penalty corner.
Joel Evans scored Southgate's sixth as Chelmsford's defence were unable to clear the corner from Armstrong's save.
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