England Hockey Cup

Third Round

CHELMSFORD hosted Ipswich & East Suffolk in the third round of the EH Cup on January 23 and successfully progressed to the last 16 in the country.

With a strong core squad and the addition of the talented 14-year-old Alex Rumbold, Chelmsford came out of the starting blocks at a high intense pace that ISE simply could not compete with. The deadlock was broken in the fifth minute when Jack Strange converted from a short corner. Strange scored again soon after from open play after a mazy run into the d.

Chelmsford soon converted the third, fourth and fifth goals highlighting a lot of individual talent and successful conversion of short corners. As the game approached half-time and comfortably in control, Chelmsford began to hold onto the ball slightly too long and lost their positional discipline with every player wanting to score. This led to ISE creating a couple of chances which we kept out well by GK Ben Sully.

In the second half Chelmsford came out in a much more structured way and played a calmer and more controlled style of hockey and resulted in two quality open play goals in the second half with Albert Forsey’s finish a particular highlight.

Chelmsford can be proud they kept a clean sheet and regained their defensive discipline in the second half. The greens can also be delighted with four out of nine short corners converted over the course of the game.

ISE battled from start to finish with 11 players and their effort and determination was commendable and appreciated by the crowd regularly. They are a young developing unit with a lot of potential for the future. Best of luck to them for the future.

Chelmsford now face Wycombe away in round four on February 13.