Big Puck reports: CHIEFTAINS LOSE TOP SPOT AFTER DEFEAT ON ISLAND

Thanks to Pete Lewis and all at the Chieftains for the reports, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Chelmsford Chieftains have slipped from top spot after going down 5-4 on the Isle of Wight thanks to a late winner from Dominic Hopkins. The Chieftains had been in the lead for the bulk of the game and were the better side for much of it, but were unable to turn possession into goals. Connor Pollard scored first for the home side, but then a double from in-form Tom Long put the Chieftains 2-1 up at the end of the first period. Then Alex Murray tied the game before Ross Brears put the Essex side back in front. It was neck and neck now and the two sides traded goals as Damon Larter put the Raiders on level terms during the second period. Alan Green put the visitors back ahead and it looked like the 2 points and retention of the league-leader placing would remain in Chelmsford before former EPL forward Arran Strawson tied the game with 7 minutes to go and then a late goal from Hopkins put the Raiders back ahead, much to the disappointment of the visiting fans and players. Alan Green had a chance to tie it up with seconds on the clock, but a bad bounce from the puck meant he never got a clean shot away and the travelling fans were left disappointed.

Onto Sunday and player-coach Gary Clarke knew he had to turn things around and the team did so in style with a 10-3 demolition of the Oxford City Stars. In seemingly normal fashion, the Chelmsford side fell behind to an early goal from the Stars, but then ran in 8 unanswered goals in the first 2 periods. Former Stars forward Alan Green got the ball rolling before Jakub Klima and then Long got his 3rd and 4th of the weekend. James Ayling then put the puck away before Clarke himself netted a brace either side of the first interval. Brears then made it 8 before Josh Oliver scored for the Stars prior to Klima getting his hat-trick with 2 late goals in the third period. Oliver scored again late on but it was never going to be enough to start a fightback and the Chieftains comfortably saw the game out. Klima picked up the man of the match award after a fine performance in the teams final game before the Christmas and new year break.




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