Chelmsford Highway battled it out for a well earned point at promotion rivals Canterbury on Saturday.

With Chelmsford holding top spot, a point ahead of their hosts, it was naturally an important match for both teams.

England International Mel Clewlow was the lynchpin of most of Canterbury's good work.

She distributed the ball with accuracy to all areas of the pitch, and this was the basis for most of the Kent side's attacks.

Chelmsford looked just as dangerous going forward with young Vicky Hutley impressing in her first start of the season.

She was unlucky not to open the scoring after 10 minutes, but her close range shot was smothered by the goalkeeper.

Jo Green and Tracy Willmore also posed a constant threat for the visitors but Clewlow and her fellow defenders held firm.

Canterbury struck first from a penalty corner. The initial shot from Clewlow was blocked, but she followed up to smash home the loose ball, giving Katie Roberts no chance in the Chelmsford goal.

Roberts came out on top at the next penalty corner however, by saving brilliantly with a dive to her right.

Chelmsford's response to going a goal down was positive. Julie Parrott brought an excellent save from Canterbury's goalkeeper with a fine aerial shot, and a goalmouth scramble was eventually cleared by the home side.

The second half was again end to end, and the midfield battle was intriguing with Comber, Bollington and Fordham doing combat with Sillitoe, Empson and Savage.

With ten minutes left, Chelmsford's willingness to keep trying bore fruit when Green was slipped the ball at a penalty corner and she fired it home with unerring accuracy at the near post.

This set up a frantic final ten minutes with both sides pushing for the winner. Canterbury forced several penalty corners towards the end, but Chelmsford have defended these well all season, and did so again.

A share of the spoils was perhaps more satisfying for the visitors as it ensured that they maintained their top of the table position.

With only two games remaining and five teams in with a chance of claiming the two automatic promotion places, there is all to play for.

Chelmsford Highway could go a long way in ensuring a promotion place for themselves if they beat Trojans at Chelmer Park on Saturday. The game starts at 12noon.

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