Brentwood Hockey Club Men’s 1st XI v Chelmsford 2nd XI

The big one, the derby, the one that was circled on the calendars when the fixtures were first released. Chelmsford have taken several Brentwood players in the past, this is always an interesting one for Brentwood as they try to prove themselves against them. With unbeaten Brentwood doing the double last season there was confidence going in as the team. As it turned out Brentwood played some of their best hockey of the season but would not reap the benefits.

It was looking a bit unlikely that the game would even be played with concerns over ice taking time to thaw. There were talks of the game being moved, it being called off, but it was fine in the end.

It was Chelmsford who seemed to gain the upper hand before the game as they took Brentwood side of the pitch, and they also got the better of the ends as the Brentwood defenders were playing with a glaring sun in their eyes first half.

As the game started it was Brentwood that dominated with early chances going their way the best being a brilliant shot by Alex Henderson which was saved but Andy Turner went close with the deflection, but Brentwood couldn’t convert. Chelmsford seeming to soak up the pressure and doing well to defend but they took the lead late in the first half when former Brentwood player Joe DeMello scored after the Brentwood defense was picked apart and the ball was deflected off the Brentwood keeper for an open goal, it was unfortunate for Brentwood to be down as they had most of the ball but couldn’t get in the D and get shots away.

It got worse for Brentwood as the second half went underway as Chelmsford doubled their lead through a breakaway goal as Brentwood were searching for an equalizer. Brentwood were pushing high with both wingbacks in and around the D but Chelmsford where able to gain possession and it was too much for the weak Brentwood defense at the time as Chelmsford overloaded and isolated the keeper to slot into the empty goal. Brentwood's response was strong with them putting the pressure back on and them winning a short corner, converted by skipper George who hit a hard shot in the bottom right-hand corner. With Chelmsford getting two cards, a green and a yellow, it boosted Brentwood's confidence. Putting the pressure on even more with more shorts, but they could not find a way through, and it was Chelmsford who found the goal in the final minute with a reverse hit on the base line which shocked everyone.

Overall, it was some of the best hockey that Brentwood played all season but could not find the goal. Brentwood sits still top of the table on goal difference on 23 points with Maldon away next week. Man of the match was Steve for being everywhere and DOD was jak for not really wanting the game to be played and forgetting his mask on the other side of the pitch. There was some semblance of revenge later in the day as Brentwood 2’s did get a win over Chelmsford 3’s in the league below.

Man of the match was Steve for being everywhere and DOD was Jak for not really wanting the game to be played and forgetting his mask on the other side of the pitch.