A STRONG and determined performance by Chelmsford Ladies secured a valuable 1-1 away point at Wimbledon, after the home side took the lead after less than two minutes on the clock.
Undaunted by the early setback, Chelmsford created some threatening play in what was an open and flowing first quarter. With the backline co-ordinated expertly by captain, Hayley Heggie, Wimbledon found it difficult to make progress on the Chelmsford goal but kept up their harassment of the defence and slowed down Chelmsford's attacking moves.
Emer Acton was hugely influential in the midfield and spread the ball out to both flanks to stretch the Wimbledon defence and open up attacking opportunities. As Chelmsford built their pressure play an excellent reverse stick effort from Kate Maxey went just wide and this lifted the tempo of the Chelmsford game. A couple of short corners were won close to the end of the first half but without success and at the break Chelmsford were still one goal down.
Adjusting their game plan for the second half, Chelmsford started strongly and another two short corners were won, but successfully defended by Wimbledon.
As the half progressed a Maxey advance through the centre was blocked by Wimbledon defenders and the ball was sprayed wide to Sophie Green who had found space on the right and struck a high pace pass into the D. Collette Ager was first to react and made an excellent first time deflection of the ball into the net for Chelmsford's deserved equaliser.
As the game progressed, Chelmsford's fluency and confidence grew and more opportunities were created but to Wimbledon's credit they fought hard to hold Chelmsford back and the match finished as a draw.
Chelmsford then gave an excellent account of themselves in a hard fought Cup game, playing a feisty and skilled Premier Division Buckingham team, but the efforts of the home side were ultimately to no avail, losing 3-0.
The first ten minutes saw Buckingham hold much of the possession and pressurised the Chelmsford defence. Buckingham won a series of penalty corners but had little creativity to offer and Chelmsford dealt with these and steadily built their own forward movements. As the end of the first half approached the teams cancelled each other out and the score remained 0-0.
As the second period unfolded Chelmsford were on equal standing and pushed on looking for an opening goal. Unfortunately a misunderstanding in the Chelmsford defence allowed a Buckingham strike to roll across the line and an unlikely lead taken by the visitors.
Buckingham took their lead to 2-0 following a penalty corner and with five minutes left on the clock, more pressure in the Chelmsford D saw a penalty stroke converted for 3-0.
Chelmsford's next league match is at home to Horsham on Sunday 16 November with pushback at 2.00pm.
