Chelmsford slumped to their second consecutive league defeat with a disappointing performance against Olton & West Warwicks at Chelmer Park on Saturday.

The victory for Olton means they leapfrog their opponents to leave Chelmsford in sixth position as the league now goes into the mid-season break over Christmas.

Chelmsford began the game brightly as they took the initiative in the opening minutes but were unable to take advantage of several promising situations.

The visitors then began to play themselves into the game.

Best opportunities

Each team took it in turns to enjoy periods of pressure, but Olton's passing and movement were always that bit sharper than that of their hosts.

Olton's best opportunities came from penalty corners but they found the Chelmsford defence and especially goalkeeper Katie Roberts equal to all they had to offer.

When the deadlock was broken five minutes from half-time, the goal was a somewhat scrappy affair.

Certainly from Chelmsford's point of view they were disappointed with what was really a soft goal to concede.

Having given the ball away unnecessarily in the middle of the park, the danger seemed to have been averted when Helen Richardson was driven wide and deep.

However, as she pulled the ball back, Roberts seemed to have it covered until it was deflected through her legs by Marie Arber.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, and, if anything, the home side were enjoying their best period of the match when Olton doubled their lead from a penalty corner.

Again it was a soft goal to concede and Chelmsford will feel it could have been avoided.

Easy finish

Roberts saved well and then two defenders seemed to get in each other's way as they tried to clear the ball and it popped out to leave Lucilla Wright with the easiest of finishes from two yards out.

In an attempt to get back into the match, Chelmsford became rather frantic and at times ragged.

Pushing forward meant they left gaps at the back and Julie Parrott was forced to clear the ball off the line.

However, Chelmsford finally pulled a goal back with 10 minutes left to give themselves hope.

Natalie Haynes was instrumental in the build-up down the right hand side, but it was Kirsty Smith who added the finishing touch but the goal proved to be only a consolation.

Chelmsford will have to wait until early February to make amends as the league goes onto the back burner and Chelmsford will concentrate on retaining their National Indoor title.

The Indoor League begins in January and as well as the domestic competition, Chelmsford will be preparing to take on the best Indoor Club sides on the Continent as they compete in the European Club Championships in France in February.

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