Chelmsford Ladies 1st XI 0
East Grinstead 1st XI 4
Investec EHL Conference East
CHELMSFORD'S recent excellent form largely deserted them in this challenging away fixture at one of the league's leading teams.
It's never good to lose by this margin but Chelmsford's positive takeaways included a determined and professional performance by the squad, a solid showing from the young newcomer Kate Robinson in her debut at England National league level and some outstanding goalkeeping by Lynsey Warren.
With East Grinstead taking the initiative right from the start, Chelmsford's defence were under continuous pressure and won a series of short corners. Staying focused and well-organised, Chelmsford saw off these goal attempts and mid-way through the half started to build their own creative play in midfield. But frustrated by a determined opposition and with a clear loss of touch, the ball rarely found its way to the forwards.
It was not until the 33rd minute that East Grinstead got their breakthrough with a neatly struck short corner. But Chelmsford were not shaken from their resolution to take the play to the home team and had the initiative at the half time break.
Chelmsford looked more settled and fluent in the opening phases of the second period but seven minutes in another short corner for East Grinstead found the net. The match then opened into a flowing battle that either team could have taken advantage of.
But it wasn't to be Chelmsford's day as an East Grinstead ball into the D clipped a stick and diverted into the goal, and ten minutes later Chelmsford conceded a fourth. The final 15 minutes saw Chelmsford's best period of play as some accurate passing and well-worked efforts on goal gave real reason to expect at least a consolation goal. However, East Grinstead ground out the game to comfortably take the points.
Chelmsford's next game is at Chelmer Park versus newly promoted Bedford on Saturday September 27 with pushback at 2pm.
