Spencer III 5 Chelmsford II 2

Higgins Group London League

Division One

Spencer III 5 Chelmsford II 2

THE Super Twos put themselves at the mercy of the London transport network as they travelled to Battersea Park to play Spencer III in their latest league game. Looking to get their season back on track, and afford themselves some breathing space in the bottom half of the table. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, as they went down 5-2 on a bitterly cold afternoon.

With more changes in personnel, Chelmsford looked to make a positive start, but the opening exchanges were dominated by the hosts. Consistently finding themselves with men over in the 'D' it wasn't long before Spencer's took the lead with a well worked goal from a two on one with 'keeper Carl Wright.

As the half continued, Chelmsford were forced deeper and deeper into their own half. This made attacking opportunities few and far between and any mistake at the back all the more costly. Andy Nourse soon found himself facing a three on one in the 25, having returned to defensive duties after last week's run upfront. Despite his best efforts, the outcome was inevitable, and the visitors found themselves two goals down.

Whilst they switched to a more traditional 4-3-3, this soon became 3-0 as the greens were once again caught on the break, and whilst Wright got a toe to the shot, it wasn't big enough and the ball found the bottom corner. Now struggling to keep in the game, Chelmsford did create one or two half chances, but nothing came from them.

The half-time talk from coach Spencer centred on the need to step up, get in front of the opposition, and move the game line away from the top of Chelmsford's 'D'.

The players seemed to heed this advice, and were a totally different side at the start of the second half. Within minutes, Nourse had an opportunity to turn provider. Pushing up from left back, he found a little space on the edge of the home sides 25, and took the time to slide a flat pass to the near post, where Simon Taylor got the vital touch.

Buoyed by this success, Chelmsford found some of the form they have shown previously this season. Holding possession well, and starting to switch the ball through Ryan Ibbotson at the back for the first time, the deficit was further reduced when George Mann was able to make the most of another opportunity. Now well and truly back in the game, the Super Twos continued to press their opposition - and remained threatening.

The fight back was soon halted though, when an inexplicable umpiring decision allowed Spencer to regain a two-goal advantage. On the break, the home side played the ball into Chelmsford's 'D' where is struck the handle of Ibbotson's stick, and then the defenders hand. This was deemed to warrant a penalty corner, which was duly converted. Whilst the visitor's looked to get back into the game once again, they were caught again on the break, and this put an end to the fight back.

The final score of 5-2 may not reflect the game entirely; however Chelmsford will need to put together more performances like the second half if they want to succeed in this league. Whilst the spirit shown is encouraging, the work rate needs to be upped for the full 70 minutes of their remaining games before the Christmas break.

Next week Chelmsford travel to Oxford to play Oxford University.