Holcombe 3 Chelmsford II 1

NE14Hockey East Women's

Premier Division

Holcombe 3 Chelmsford II 1

FOLLOWING an extended Christmas break due to freezing weather conditions the previous week, Chelmsford were feeling the pressure going into what they knew would be a tough game against Holcombe, who would be looking to avenge their defeat at Chelmer Park earlier in the season.

However, Chelmsford were left disappointed by a score line failing to reflect their performance which, while rusty in places, was arguably deserving of a share of the points.

With captain, Lisa Crane, out for at least four weeks with a broken wrist the team received a welcome boost with the addition of Kat Letts to the midfield line. Starting brightly, the greens had the best opening, creating a number of attacks which unfortunately lacked the finishing precision needed to take the lead.

However, the home team soon worked their way back into the game, troubling the Chelmsford defence with their quick and decisive passing and moving, which lead to a string of short corners being conceded. Holcombe soon capitalised on a number of favourable umpiring decisions to convert two of their short corners in quick succession, taking a 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes. Chelmsford's woes were further added to with captain Anna Smith being dismissed shortly after for a professional foul and Kat Letts sidelined following a blow to the hand, which was later confirmed to be fractured in a number of places.

Chelmsford quickly adapted to the situation and thwarted any further Holcombe attacks. With the return of Smith, they again began to build some good moves into their game and enjoyed a 10-minute period on top. Despite their efforts, the back of the net wasn't found before half time and they went into the break still facing a two goal deficit.

Again, the opening period of the second half was positive for the Greens with player of the match, Ally Farrar and Kat Letts, who managed to play on in midfield, both troubling the Holcombe defence. Chelmsford didn't have to wait too long for their goal to come when some good passing down the left saw Farrar with space in the D. The initial shot was well-saved, but Karen Cooper was on-hand to slot away the rebound.

With renewed hope, Chelmsford looked certain to grab an equaliser with Holcombe now on the back foot. With the defence of Stock, Williams, Sidoli and Smith looking more solid, the Greens were able to push forward as a unit and it looked like Farrar would find a second goal when a precision pass from Letts put her through one on one with the keeper, but the final shot was agonisingly wide.

With Chelmsford still looking to level the score line, Holcombe also continued threaten with a number of attacks that exposed the visiting defence at times. Despite the best efforts of Vanessa Smith in goal, the home team managed to sneak a third goal just before the final whistle to leave the greens with no way back into the game.

Next week a weakened Chelmsford side travel to Cambridge University needing an important win with just three points separating six teams in the middle of the table.