Following two successive defeats, it was imperative for Chieftains to return to winning ways at Solihull on Saturday, but although they dominated the match, the scoreline at the end was closer than it should have been.

The first five minutes were quite even with some good end-to-end play.

Although Chieftains had the best of the early goal chances they found the enigmatic Stephen Doyle in the Baron's goal in excellent form to thwart several attempts.

Chieftains started to get on top but had to wait until 7.45 for Duane Ward to latch onto a Lee Cowmeadow pass and beat Doyle.

Soilhull replied well and Simon Smith was lucky to see a Dan Prachar effort cannon from his goal post to safety, but two Chieftains goals in less than a minute gave Barons a mountain to climb.

At 9.29, with a man apiece in the penalty box, good interplay by Adam Collins and Bill Morra ended with Collins firing in a good goal.

Under a minute later, Collins and Cowmeadow provided Ward with another chance to deke Doyle in the home net, a chance he made no mistake with.

Chieftains had to see off a Solihull power-play early in the second period and soon found themselves in the same position with the fiery Andrew Howarth binned for roughing.

It was a situation they exploited well with Billy Price scoring on the turn, and Chieftains made it 5-0 at 27.40 when a defensive error presented Ward with his hat-trick goal.

The goal signalled a fine comeback from Barons as they replied with three goals in as many minutes.

At 30.13 Neil Adams saw his inoccuous shot squirm between Smith's legs for the first Solihull goal and at 32.41 Joel Pickering's wraparound effort caught Smith off guard.

Smith seemed to have committed himself to early as Barons' Kevin Conway scored with some ease at 33.48 to reduce the deficit to two goals.

Chieftains restored a three goal advantage at 35.39 when Ian Cooper and Ward conspired to release Mike Galati for a rasping goal on the angle.

The teams swapped goals in the last minute of the period to set up an intriguing last period.

Second goal

At 39.23 Cooper converted a good Ward/Cowmeadow play for Chieftains and 21 seconds later, Adams helped himself to a second goal as Smith initially failed to hold a Pickering effort.

The third period saw just two goals scored as both teams tightened up their defences.

At 41.05 Ryan Mair blasted a slapshot past Doyle and at 44.55 Dan Prachar took advantage of Chieftains not clearing their zone, by striking the puck in.

For Chieftains, who were without Andy Hannah, it was a better performance, but goalkeeper Smith clearly had an off day and his latter form must be of concern to coach Shaun McFadyen.

Man-of-match awards went to Stephen Doyle, who despite letting in eight goals, was outstanding for Barons, while for Chieftains, Billy Price won the accolade.

Youngsters shine

CHELMSFORD CHIEFTAINS 13

NOTTINGHHAM LIONS...........2

(English National Premier League)

Traditionally, the clash with the Lions gives Chieftains the opportunity to play the junior players and give more ice time to other members of the squad and Sunday was no exception as youngsters Daniel Robinson, Paul Teed and Matt France made their debuts.

Another season's first was the first outing of coach Shaun McFadyen as a player.

Chieftains were in control from the outset but were surprised to see only two goals on the scoreboard at the end of the first period.

Lee Cowmeadow was on target at 4.20, slotting the puck home through goalkeeper Alan Sutton's legs.

The second goal did not come until 18.15 when Adam Collins' slapshot eluded Sutton's grasp.

At 22.29 Billy Price converted Richard Whiting's good work with Teed collecting his first point for Chieftains with an assist on the goal.

Chieftains' fourth goal came at 24.23 via a Cowmeadow slapshot which was tantalisingly close to McFadyen's stick as it went in.

Chieftains made the game safe with three goals in five minutes to lead 7-0.

At 29.37 Glen Moorhouse's shot cannoned from the post, to be snapped up by Hannah.

Hat-trick

At 34.03 Hannah scored again from a narrow angle and 23 seconds later, Cowmeadow completed his hat-trick.

Lions were rewarded for their hard work at 34.51 when a loose puck fell to Marc Levers and his shot on the turn surprised Paul Wilcock in the home net.

Matt France, 15, then took over in goal for Chieftains and did well to stop two quickfire Lions' efforts.

But Chieftains were rampant in the last period, and outscored the Lions 6-1.

A fine wraparound from Galati at 42.08 was quickly followed at 43.01 when Adam Collins swiped the puck in from mid-air to make it 9-1.

At 44.51, with Chieftains all over then Lions' defence, Hannah completed his hat-trick and Shaun Wallis then struck home a sweet goal.

Ian Cooper scored with a sharply taken effort at 49.47, before Lions netted their second goal on 50.24 when the excellent Levers beat France from close in, but it was left to Chieftains to have the last say as Galati netted his second goal at 53.00.

This was never a real test for Chieftains but it did give McFadyen a chance to see his youngsters in match action.

Excellent spirit

It was also another bit of experience for the young Lions of Nottingham who played with excellent spirit throughout in a match attracting just six minutes of penalties.

Youngs Brewers' man-of-the-match awards went to John Cusick for Lions and to hat-trick hero Lee Cowmeadow for the Chieftains.

Chieftains face two difficult away matches in the next week

This Sunday (December 17), they visit Invicta Dynamos and the Isle of Wight on Saturday, December 23.

A sumptuous post-Christmas home tie awaits Riverside fans with the first visit of Romford Raiders this season on Saturday, December 30.

Having suffered two away defeats to Raiders this season, Chieftains will be in no mood to let Romford have an easy start to the New Year.

Three goals: Chelmsford Chieftains' Andy Hannah netted a hat-trick in Sunday's match against the Nottingham Lions.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.