In a nail-biting encounter at Chelmer Park on Sunday, Chelmsford hung on with 10 men for a valuable three points against Barford Tigers.

With Chelmsford 3-2 up and five minutes to play, defender Rob Taylor was yellow-carded for not retreating five yards at a free-hit. It left Chelmsford with a nervous few minutes as Barford threw themselves into attack.

The result has moved Chelmsford, sponsored by Teakglobe Trading Limited, up to sixth place in the league - their loftiest position of the season - although still a mere two points from the foot of the table.

Sunday's game almost started disastrously for Chelmsford. Just 35 seconds into the game, Taylor slipped on the half-way line and conceded possession.

Although Mahmood Ali burst forward and rounded Chelmsford goalkeeper David Carter with ease, his weak shot was easily turned past the post by the covering Andrew Kennedy.

Chelmsford then responded with some of their best hockey of the season.

For 20 minutes their pace, movement and passing was too hot for Tigers to handle. Iain Mackay and Shuhel Malique constantly threatened on the right flank and it was no surprise when Chelmsford took the lead in the 11th minute.

A left-wing break found Dale Isaac on the edge of the Barford D. Although his early cross was deflected by keeper Mark Wilson, Alan Thorogood made no mistake as he slid in at the far post.

Two minutes later and the best goal of the game. Neil Gillespie made ground from right back and picked out Isaac with an exquisite cross-field pass.

Isaac was allowed to drift wide of the goal before unleashing an unstoppable reverse-stick shot high into the far corner of the goal.

However, just before the break Barford started to come back into contention and although Chelmsford created a number of opportunities at the start of the second half, it was the visitors who started to dictate the pace of the game.

First, Satinderpal Mann managed to bundle the ball over the line for Tigers' first goal in the 48th minute, before Amarjit Degun got the final touch to a slick penalty corner routine to level the scores three minutes later.

Not to be outdone, Gower-Jackson needed no second invitation when Chelmsford were awarded a penalty corner within two minutes of the Barford equaliser. His powerful flick deceived Wilson and flew into the side netting to restore the Chelmsford advantage.

Published Wednesday March 13, 2002