Chelmsford travelled to Saffron Walden after a week’s break to try and regain their winning form having fallen short in their last couple of fixtures. Chelmsford started slowly and were soon punished for being slow out of the blocks when some loose marking and deft passes from the opposition enabled them to take the lead.

Chelmsford rallied, tightened the marking and were soon creating threats of their own. The home defence held firm for much of the half, until shortly before half time, when Chelmsford converted a straight strike corner through Hattie Holmes, this was swiftly followed by a deflection on a corner from Claudia Topel on the stroke of half time to enable Chelmsford to take the lead.

Chelmsford continued their pressure throughout the second half with some dynamic runs through midfield from joint player of the match Olivia Scott, any threats created by Saffron Walden were comfortably dealt with by Chelmsford keeper and joint player of the match Phoebe Menear who was more than a match for one on one situations. Chelmsford extended their lead mid way through the half with anther short corner, this time converted by Marie Kirkham. Chelmsford were unable to extend their lead further and the final score was 1-3.

Chelmsford: 3
Saffron Walden: 1

Chelmsford welcomed Havant in the quarter-finals of the England Hockey 2nd XI Plate competition on Sunday 26th February and ran out 2-0 winners.  Photos thanks to Nick Robinson. Chelmsford will play the semi-finals on 26th March, the draw taking place later this week.

Chelmsford: 2
Havant: 0

Next week in the league Chelmsford welcome Canterbury at 12pm on Saturday 4th March and Upminster at 3pm on Sunday 5th March.