Chelmsford 2 Clifton 4

Slazenger Women's EHL

Premier Division

Chelmsford 2 Clifton 4

Chelmsford welcomed an in-form Clifton to Chelmer Park this weekend knowing that, with only four games left, a big performance was needed to Premier Division status.

It was the home team who started the stronger, with Kate Maxey producing a fine pass to find Tracy Willmore free in the circle. Willmore showed her experience when calmly flicked the ball over Clifton's keeper to put Chelmsford in front in the eighth minute.

Although Chelmsford were the dominant team, Clifton continued to prove a threat when they attacked and drew level when, after being rewarded a short corner, Fleur Horner hit an unstoppable shot into the goal.

With the home side beginning to feel the tension of the match, it was a welcome relief that there was a injury stoppage in the game. Chelmsford used this break to re-group and regain their composure.

Shortly after this stoppage, in the 31st minute, Chelmsford veteran forwards Lynn Bollington and Tracy Willmore combined in a slick passing move around Clifton's keeper which allowed Willmore to score her second of the game when she had the easy task of tapping the ball into an empty goal.

As the second half began, the momentum was with the home team who had the lead of 2-1 and Clifton worked tirelessly to disrupt Chelmsford's pattern of play.

It was not long into the second-half when a controversial umpiring decision gave Clifton a penalty corner. Clifton took their chance well and levelled the score.

The visiting team were spurred on by this goal and increased their efforts resulting in a slick move down the right, deflecting the ball past the on-coming Chelmsford keeper Helen Fagg.

Chelmsford were visibly shaken as Clifton took control of the game and it was a further blow to their confidence when Clifton got their fourth goal of the game in the 51st minute, scoring again from a penalty corner.

With 20 minutes of the game left, Chelmsford continued to work hard for each other and regained some control of the game but were unable to convert any of their goal scoring chances.

Player-of-the-match was awarded to Chelmsford's Toni Speakman who, having only played a handful of games for the 1st X1, put in a mature performance to earn the reward.

Off the back of a gutsy performance, Chelmsford's next league fixture is against local rivals Old Loughtonians on Saturday in what is a must win match for the Chelmsford side. The match starts at 1:30 at Luxborough Lane.