Chelmsford Ladies II 5 Thurrock 1

NE14Hockey East Women's League

Premier Division

Chelmsford Ladies II 5 Thurrock 1

ON their final weekend of the season, Chelmsford Ladies II's met local rivals Thurrock in a must win game to stay safe in the league.

Both sides made a strong start, Thurrock showed confidence with a packed out midfield, Chelmsford's' defence of V Smith, Stock, A Smith, Speakman and Williams remained solid to prevent any Thurrock advances. Chelmsford work rate was high and they managed to penetrate the Thurrock defence on a number of occasions. A decisive short corner was won just before half time, Anna Smith followed up a rebounded shot from the Thurrock 'keeper with a well placed shot into the corner.

With a 1-0 score-line at half time, both teams were prepared for a battle in the second half. Thurrock came out strong, and caught Chelmsford in a lapse of concentration to equalise. Chelmsford rose to the challenge, working the ball well through the midfield players of Letts, Crane and L Smith. A well-struck ball from Farrar met a perfectly placed G Speakman on the far post who directed the ball past the keeper to take Chelmsford back into the lead.

Chelmsford maintained their pressure on Thurrock with the forwards connecting well, Duffin crossed the ball into Ally Farrar who kept her composure in front of goal to take Chelmsford to a comfortable 3-1 lead. This was quickly followed by a second goal by George Speakman after well placed passes in attack.

A rattled Thurrock let the pressure get to them, a goal-mouth scramble lead to the Thurrock 'keeper being shown a yellow card for inappropriate conduct, a further Thurrock player joined her keeper on the sideline after vocalising her frustrations. Chelmsford acted professionally and concentrated on their own game, they capitalised on a weakened Thurrock side through a strong strike by Sarah Williams on a short corner in the last few minutes of the game.

With the final score of 5-1, Chelmsford rose to the challenge by achieving one of the best performances of the season to avoid relegation.