Chelmsford 3 Bromley & Beckenham 3

Slazenger England Hockey Men's

Conference East

Chelmsford 3 Bromley & Beckenham 3

BROMLEY and Beckenham served as Chelmsford's first opponents for the second half of the season. A game of vital importance as Chelmsford begins their battle to remain in the Men's Conference East League 08/09.

Freezing conditions and frequent outbursts of snow threatened the games continuation but fortunately the weather held off and Chelmsford were able to get underway as scheduled.

The momentum from the start was with the home side. Chelmsford applied consistent early pressure forging numerous early opportunities but Bromley broke through first against the run of play with a counter down Chelmsford's right beating defenders along the baseline slipping the ball under the advancing Chelmsford keeper Carl Wright. But eventually Chelmsford opened their account with a goal by Luke Mepham unleashing a thunderous strike from the top of the 'D.'

Chelmsford then took the lead via a debut goal by new Aussie signing Jamie Bahnisch from the 'P' spot. Bromley later equalised after a string of re-award penalty corners in the end scoring off a right slip manoeuvre. Luke Mepham then scored again to edge Chelmsford into the lead once more pouncing on a loose ball spilling to the edge of the circle and drag-pushing it home through defenders and team-mates alike into the bottom right corner.

It all looked to be over with Chelmsford stealing the points but a minute from time Bromley equalised for the second time nut-megging Wright with a reverse stick strike after a long through ball split the Chelmsford defence leaving the keeper with little protection.

Now Chelmsford look to next Saturday's away fixture against Indian Gymkhana with fresh optimism after a positive result and an encouraging performance.