Missing Jerry Pavlus, Richard Gunn and coach Dean Birrell the Chieftains were always going to be up against it in Romford on Sunday night. The early signs showed that it could be a long night as the Raiders netted at 3:45 through captain Anthony Leone who fired past an unsighted Euan King in the Chelmsford goal. It was nearly 2 moments later when "Mr Romford" Danny Marshall was through on his own, but was denied by a big save from King. The Raiders doubled their advantage on 12:44 through Juraj Huska, who would go on to net a hat-trick. Slightly under 3 minutes of the first period remained when Alex Green blasted past Michael Gray to score for the visitors and ending the period 2-1. The second period was almost half way gone when the next scoring happened and it was a game tying goal from Aaron Connolly who fired in from the boards past Mike Gray in the nets for Romford. From then on though the Raiders tried to take control, although this was difficult by some questionable officiating that broke up any flow of the game for both sides. Many of the infringements called left players and fans scratching their heads alike with nothing seemingly occurring, but penalties being called nonetheless. 33:28 saw the Raiders go ahead again through Huska's second and then third early in the final period. It was 5-2 at 50:47 when youngster Frankie Harvey found space at the backpost and netted with ease. There was a glimmer of hope for the Chieftains at 58:18 when Tom Long scored, but it wasn't to be a glorious finish like before as Marshall scored an empty net goal on the stroke of the final buzzer.
Next weekend the Chieftains must bounce back as they take on 2 of the toughest teams in the league in current leaders Wightlink Raiders on Sunday and reigning champions Invicta Dynamos heading to the Riverside on Saturday. Birrell is expected to be back this week and will be back on the bench marshalling the Chieftains and hoping they can come back from this defeat and take 4 points. It's a massive weekend for the Chieftains and a big crowd will be expected both nights, so fans are asked to be at the rink in good time for the doors opening.
It's a tough start to 2011 for the Chieftains with 5 big games in a row, which are all must-win games to keep the pressure on at the top. The players will be needing all the support they can get from the fans to help get them through these games. Bring your friends, work colleagues, relatives, whoever you can. Get them into the rink and supporting the Chieftains as the run in to the title begins NOW. The lads will need all the fans behind them and in the words of MC Mark "Let's make some noise for the Chelmsford boys!"
FREE Ice Hockey Taster Session
Thursday 6th January 2011
5.45pm - 6.15pm (arrive at 5.15pm)
Boys and girls aged 6 - 11 years
6 week course
Thursday 13th January 2011 (Not free) Thursdays 5.45pm - 6.15pm (arrive at 5.15pm)
Boys and girls aged 6 - 11 years
Contact Julia Freeman at the Riverside on 01245 615056 to book a place (max. 20 per course)
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