Slough 3 Chelmsford 2

Premier Division

Slough 3 Chelmsford 2

Three goals from Slough penalty corners proved to be the difference between the two sides as the hosts kept up their outside chances of the league title.

Within the first couple of minutes Slough opened the scoring, the direct shot into the corner leaving keeper Katy Roberts with no chance.

This early setback could have unsettled the Chelmsford side, but they kept their focus and continued to pass the ball around. The score line was soon levelled when, in the sixth minute, Chloe Rogers pounced on a loose ball which had initially been saved following a penalty corner shot.

Slough had the greater possession in the first half, but stout defending by Rebecca McGuiness and Ciara O'Brien kept the goal scoring chances of Slough to a minimum. It was, perhaps against the run of play, Chelmsford who had the better chances to take the lead in the first half when they had two penalty corners saved.

The difference between the two sides became apparent when Slough were able to convert their next penalty corner in the 18th minute, while Chelmsford were unable to capitalise on any of their own short corner routines.

The second half resumed in the same manner as the first half, with Slough scoring within three minutes of the restart. With Slough leading 3-1, it was Chelmsford who made all the running in the second half. For all their possession and attacking opportunities, Chelmsford were unable to convert any of their penalty corners.

Chelmsford grabbed a late goal, scored by Lynn Bollington, but this was little consolation for all their hard work and dominance in the second half.