England Hockey League

Women’s Conference East

CHELMSFORD maintained their unbeaten run in weather conditions that were wet and overcast and not at all conducive for recording a decent match report! Both sides started brightly, and it was Chelmsford who had an early shot, just wide of the goal, after three minutes. This spurred Surbiton on and they started to exert pressure on Chelmsford with good passing out from defence and generally being quicker

to the ball.

Surbiton were rewarded with a goal from a well struck short corner after five minutes. Surbiton kept up the pressure in the rain and scored from another short corner after sixteen minutes. The game ebbed and flowed until Chelmsford’s first short corner at 25 minutes resulted in Kat Hales shooting high into Surbiton’s net. With one goal behind them Chelmsford pressed hard and shortly after Jess Ecott struck another short corner opportunity into the net. The score at half time was two goals each, but Surbiton had edged the half.

The second period was similar to the first half with good end to end play from both sides. Chelmsford had a shot on goal saved after nine minutes and another a couple of minutes later. However, Surbiton fought back and had two short corner opportunities in the half. Chelmsford generally had better period and had some good attacking chances from some strong running throughout. The score remained at two each when Surbiton were awarded a short corner one minute from the end of game. There were more than a few chewed nails in the supporters group but fortunately the decision was reversed and the game finished a draw.

Surbiton are an well organised team who pass the ball well and so Chelmsford can feel pleased with a good performance, rallying well from a two goal deficit. Chelmsford will feel they can do better in the return leg.

Scorers: Kat Hales and Jess Ecott