Chelmsford Highway consolidated their position at the top of National League Division One with a comfortable home win over bottom-of-the-table Sunderland on Saturday.

This was Chelmsford's first game back after a successful indoor campaign and the blustery conditions made the readjustment to the outdoor game rather difficult.

Sunderland set out their stall from the start, by defending deep and obviously hoping to stop the home side from creating too many openings by packing their defence.

Chelmsford created several chances, however stand-in goalkeeper Chris Smith saved her side with some good saves, most significantly from a Jo Green penalty stroke.

That opportunity came early on and had it gone in, Chelmsford may have settled more quickly, but their play became a little frantic.

They enjoyed most of the possession with their goalkeeper Katie Roberts, being a virtual spectator, and it was no surprise when Chelmsford did eventually take the lead.

The goal came from one of numerous penalty corners. Kath Fordham stopped and slipped to Green. Her pass found Tracey Comber and she made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Chelmsford's second goal came on the stroke of half-time. A superb break from defending a rare penalty corner saw Tracy Willmore combine well with Becky Alltree.

When Willmore was bundled off the ball just as she was about to unleash a shot, the umpire did not hesitate to signal a second penalty stroke.

This time Lynn Bollington stepped up to plant the ball firmly into the bottom of the net.

With the luxury of a two goal cushion the Essex side cruised through the second half.

Sunderland rarely threatened and Chelmsford seemed content to play in third gear.

At times however they showed signs of the open flowing hockey which they were producing earlier in the season and it was from one such move that they netted a third goal.

Willmore combined with Bollington to set up Green, who made no mistake to make up for her earlier penalty miss.

Smith made several more fine saves from Julie Parrott, Willmore and Green before seeing her side score a late consolation goal from a penalty corner.

The result was never in danger however, with Tracy Goodchild, Jo Sargeant and Marie Amber commanding in the Chelmsford defence.

The three points keep Chelmsford top, a point ahead of Aldridge and four clear of Canterbury and Trojans.

With only five games left, each is now crucial and tomorrow (Saturday) sees them travel north for a difficult encounter with Bradford, and a win is critical to keep Chelmsford on course to claim one of the two automatic promotion places.

On Sunday they turn their attentions to the Cup when Loughborough Students come to Chelmer Park. Start time for this game is 1pm.

Watching the ball go by . . Chelmsford second eleven met the club's third eleven in an Essex League Premier Divsion match on Saturday, and the seconds (in white) went on to record a 3-0 victory.

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