A weakened Chieftains' side, without Swede Anders Tjarnstrom and defender Glen Moorhouse, put up a superb battling performance against last year's British National League champions, Guildford Flames, on Sunday.

Chieftains shocked their higher league opponents with the opening goal. Richard Whiting laid the puck off for Jake French to smash it past Simon Smith in the Flames' goal.

The visitors responded on 3.44 when aa loose puck was snapped in by Scott Stephenson.

Chieftains continued to press and, after Andy Hannah's shot was partially stopped by Smith, Tero Sarkiniemi struck home the rebound.

Chieftains continued to work hard in defence and Dave Pinchin in goal pulled off some fine stops to keep them in front.

However, Pinchin was helpless to stop Flames equalising, when a blue line slip let in Peter Kasowski on 12.10.

Flames then took the lead through Terry Kurtenbach, and Chief-tains came under pressure in the second period, but it took a power-play goal on 28.25 for Flames to increase their lead.

With Jon Main in the sin-bin on a tripping call, Chieftains were outnumbered and Kirk Humphreys netted Flames' fourth goal.

Then two quick goals at the end of the second period looked to have ended the game as a contest.

At 37.00 Kasowski netted his second goal before Derek DeCosty scored from close range to see Flames lead 6-2.

The last period saw Chieftains unable to convert a 5 on 3 power play situation and on 43.44 they fell further behind to DeCosty's second goal.

Some cheer was brought to home supporters after a Dan Oliver pass set Karl Rogers away and he laid a pass for Craig Metcalf to ram the puck home.

Chieftains then again fell to a short-handed goal when Dom-inik Hopkins scored.

Chieftains finished strongly and the last goal was netted by man-of-the-match Jake French but it could not prevent a comfortable Flames' victory. Chelmsford Chieftains will hoping to be back to full strength on Saturday (January 2) when they entertain league leaders Blackburn Hawks (face-off at 6pm).

They are also at home on Sunday when they face Basingstoke Bison (face-off at 6.30pm) and on Thursday (January 7), Chieftains host Invicta Dynamos with an 8pm face off.

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