Chelmsford 4 Old Loughtonians 3

Women's Conference East

Chelmsford 4 Old Loughtonians 3

THIS re-match, following Sunday's abandoned game, was a great spectacle of skill and effort and it has to be said, by both sides. Although Chelmsford came out quite rightly as worthy winners, Old Lought's made them battle hard for the points.

After only four minutes Chelmsford's committed, attacking play brought their first short corner that Kate Maxey, in signature style, cracked home. The game opened into a flowing encounter of attack and counter-attack with Rebecca Alltree commanding the right flank, Marie Kirkham on the left and all Chelmsford's forwards dominating the front third of the pitch during the first 20 minutes.

A well-worked approach from the left mid-field resulted in a bullet pass to Sarah Glanvill in the D who unhesitatingly swept the ball first time into the net. Libby Knifton, clearly impressed with the technique, followed suit a minute later pouncing on a loose ball, striking directly through to goal, to take Chelmsford's lead to 3-0.

To their credit, Old Lought's kept their heads and kept playing hockey. An attack that broke into the Chelmsford D allowed a crisp reverse strike shot that hit the post and a short corner followed which Lought's converted. Chelmsford continued their open play and won short corners of their own but a probing long push forward by Old Lought's found their front runner with space to get round the keeper to score.

More exchanges of attacking play in the second half saw Chelmsford dominating possession and won a couple more short corners. But as has been the case at times this season, Chelmsford became exposed to break-outs from the opposition. Old Lought's were awarded a short corner of their own and their conversion brought the scoreline to level-pegging at 3-3.

Chelmsford could have wavered under the strain of losing a three goal lead but they stayed coherent and kept their teamwork solid. A further attack through the centre was driven forward in determined fashion and Sarah Glanvill again showed her sharpness with another goal-bound strike on a loose ball. Chelmsford ran the gauntlet of Old Lought's final fling but battened down the hatches in the last minutes to record a deserved win.