Chelmsford Ladies 1st XI 2
Bedford 1st XI 0
Investec EHL Conference East
Scorers: Hayley Heggie, Rebecca Budd
CHELMSFORD delivered a controlled and confident performance in this high-paced home game to secure their first win of the season.
A lively start from Bedford forced Chelmsford to concentrate on defence in the opening stages, with Bedford winning two short corners in the first ten minutes. As the game settled, Chelmsford's structure and fluent hockey gave them the opportunity of setting up their own goal attempts.
Good forward pressure and some swift action from Tori Clark outside the D set up a chance for Kate Robinson. A short corner followed but without score and two minutes later another short corner came Chelmsford's way, albeit unsuccessfully converted.
With the game opening up, Bedford rallied and mounted some pressure on the Chelmsford defence. But another foray, led by a great 25 metre run by Collette Ager, saw Rebecca Budd fouled in the D. This time Hayley Heggie took the initiative and slotted the short corner home for Chelmsford's deserved lead.
With Jess Bryan, Sian Waite and Ellie Smith on excellent form and the back line of Elsa Genovese, Heggie and Sophie Stock proving impenetrable, the pressure was maintained by Chelmsford but the half time break arrived without further addition to the score line.
Chelmsford did not allow Bedford to settle into any creative play after the restart and the solid midfield of Emer Acton and Julia Butterworth built attacking moves through to the forwards. After eight minutes Budd picked up the ball in the D with only the Bedford goalkeeper to beat. A double take by Budd foxed the keeper and the ball was calmly knocked into the net for Chelmsford's second and a score line more reflective of Chelmsford's control of the match.
Good organisation by Chelmsford and some accurate ball work ensured Chelmsford remained resilient against Bedford's rally late in the game. As the match closed Chelmsford retained control to ensure the points came to Chelmer Park.
Chelmsford's next game is at Ipswich on Saturday October 4 with pushback at 6pm.
