IES IV 4 Chelmsford V 2

Division 6SE - Ipswich East Suffolk IV 4 Chelmsford V 2

IES hosted Chelmsford this week - the second of the three opening games against teams that were promoted with them last year. The visitors started well and impressed with a fluid attacking approach that combined imaginative midfield play with genuine pace up front.

IES' defence were hard-pressed and although Murray and Page combined well to staunch the flow, they were unable to prevent what many would have seen as the inevitable goal within the first 15 minutes. Undaunted, IES inched their way back into the game and started to take the play to Chelmsford.

They worked the ball well down the right to some effect and Chelmsford had no answer to Whiting's pace on the ball. Pope twice went close on the near post and with just minutes before the close of the first half, a frenzy of goal mouth activity from a penalty corner resulted in Bentley turning the ball in from point blank range. On the stroke of half time, Whiting produced the first in a brace of fine solo efforts to knock the stuffing out of the Chelmsford defence.

IES started the second half as if they meant business and it was not long before Bentley reprised his first half effort with another poached strike a metre out. Ten minutes later, Whiting clinched the tie with a peach - making room following a mazy run and striking past the keeper as the defence parted in front of him.

It could have been more but some fine saves denied Whiting's audacious reverse flick. With four on the board, IES were never in danger of losing the game but in the last five minutes, with the game already won and most of the team smelling the beer, Chelmsford pulled one back. A gutsy team performance saw a second win of this campaign as IES look forward to a day at the seaside next week against the league leaders Harwich.