The relegation play-offs are sometimes inhabited by teams
who are paying a passing visit to the national league, but you could hardly say
that about the three clubs fighting for survival in this season’s play-offs.
Chelmsford were one of England’s top women’s clubs for many seasons, and
TalkHockeyRadio has reported on their exploits from Europe. Cannock women were relegated from the Premier
Division last year, and Staines’ have been with us for a few seasons. So, we don’t want to lose them but two of
those three have to go.
Chelmsford staked their claim to retain their place in the
Investec Conferences in a match that could have been written by a Scandinavian
crime writer. The plot was slow to
unfold but, when it did, it did so in dramatic fashion. Playing Staines from the West Conference,
Chelmsford seemed to have control of sorts in the first half, but ball and
stick were never in the right place for a scoring chance. If anything, Staines
could have taken the match in the first half with some useful breaks.
A scoreless first half was followed by a penalty corner
conversion eight minutes into the second period, the scorer being Chelmsford’s Elsa
Genovese. The goal, despite Chelmsford’s
pressure, could have been a bit of a one off, but rising confidence in the home
side saw Rebecca McGuiness score from another corner six minutes later to give
Chelmsford a 2-0 lead.
Repeated assaults on the Staines goal then saw Hayley Heggie
score from a penalty corner, followed in the closing minutes by Chelmsford’s
fourth, courtesy of Libby Knifton. The
early encounters had shown no sign of how Chelmsford would dominate the second
half, but Chelmsford ran out worthy 4-0 winners. Play like that against Cannock and they
should survive another season in the East Conference.
The men’s relegation play-offs saw Cambridge City travel to
Whitchurch. A goal by Stephen Dick and two from James Alberry, saw the visitors
win 1-3. Both sides have yet to meet Doncaster.
The Investec Women’s Premier Division programme was finally
completed when Leicester played their final game today. The winner was never in
any doubt, as already relegated Slough went down 4-1. The win means that Leicester move above
Canterbury to take the top place.
PICTURES FROM THE MATCH BETWEEN CHELMSFORD AND STAINES WILL
APPEAR ON OUR SITE AT www.HockeyImages.co.uk
later.
