Investec English Hockey League

Women’s Conference East

THIS derby game provided six goals and 70 minutes of great entertainment as Ipswich and Chelmsford fought out a 3-3 draw in the Investec East Conference.

Ipswich again were missing players but this team knows how to cope with anything that is thrown at them and they started at a cracking pace.

An early opportunity by Captain Emma Millar was missed but top goal scorer Anni Broster made no such mistake. The in form striker took her time and created space to rocket the ball home on the 11th minute and give the home side an early lead.

Chelmsford though were level seven minutes later as they made the most of a short corner. The game was played at a cracking pace and both sides drew great saves from the keepers. Charlie Anderson cleared off the line for Ipswich whilst the post saved Chelmsford twice.

After such a fast paced first half it was almost incredible that only two goals had been scored but both teams started the second half looking for more. Chelmsford started the brighter and on the 44th minute another corner brought reward. Ipswich initially looked stunned as they had been dominating play but showing the tenacity that defines them it only took five minutes for them to hit back. Broster again on the scoresheet.

A fantastic ball by Vic Sandall was collected in the circle and Broster again left the keeper with no chance. Broster now sits joint top of the league goal scorers list.

It was the away teams turn to look stunned and Ipswich poured forward looking for that third goal. Eight minutes later and it was Anderson’s turn to score from a short corner strike.

Chelmsford to their credit kept on fighting and only some great saves by Player of the match Mariette Rix kept the home side ahead.

With time ticking down Ipswich should have put the game out of reach but a deliberate foul on Hannah Martin in the circle was only punished with a corner not a penalty stroke and the Essex side knew they still had an outside chance of grabbing a point.

A quick breakaway almost brought reward for them but Rix once more proved her world class credentials with a great save.

With minutes left Ipswich looked to clear their lines but Chelmsford stole the ball and the resulting diving deflection snuck in the near post.

Ipswich of course were disappointed to have dropped two points so close to the end of the game but they can reflect on their number of chances and know that they are still improving as a team.

Next week the side travel to unbeaten joint leaders St Albans determined to get all three points.