Chelmsford Highway's most successful season for years came to an end on Saturday as they went out of the Cup at the semi-final stage, at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes.

Despite a spirited performance by Chelmsford, Premier League Champions, Slough, proved too strong with a host of international players on their team list.

Slough took the lead after six minutes, from their first penalty corner when Jane Smith's fierce shot was unluckily deflected in by Lynn Bollington as she attempted to block her former team mate's effort.

Although Chelmsford's own goal attempts were few and far between they showed their ability to threaten on the counter-attack.

Jo Green was unfortunate not to make more of a one-on-one attack with the last defender but a challenge on her just outside the area brought her to a stop, and the umpire failed to award the penalty corner that the challenge warranted.

From the resulting free hit, Bollington saw her attempted tip-in go just wide.

Slough extended their lead with a wellstruck shot from another Smith penalty corner strike.

In the second half, Chelmsford enjoyed a little more possession than they had in the first.

The midfield of Tracy Comber, Bollington, Becky Alltree and Kath Fordham worked hard to close Slough down, while defenders Julie Parrott, Tracy Goodchild, Marie Arber and Jo Sargent restricted Slough to fewer chances.

They were powerless however when Anna Bennett took advantage of a rare lapse of concentration to convert a pass from Karen Brown.

Chelmsford goalkeeper Katie Roberts prevented Slough from going further ahead when she brilliantly saved a Lesley Hobley penalty stroke.

Tracy Willmore and Green threatened to carve out a consolation goal for Chelmsford and thought they had done so when Fordham had the ball in the back of the Slough net, only to see it disallowed by another frustrating umpiring decision.

Slough netted a fourth goal before Roberts again performed heroics to save another Hobley penalty stroke.

Slough ran out deserved winners but Chelmsford were not disgraced and showed tremendous commitment and spirit to keep on battling until the final whistle.

The experience will serve them well as they will prepare for Premiership hockey for next season as they have already secured promotion from Division One.

The players and management will now have a well earned rest having enjoyed a fantastic season which has seen them win that promotion and progress to the semi-finals of the EHA Cup.

The Chelmsford squad at Milton Keynes was: K. Roberts, T. Goodchild, J. Sargent, J. Parrott, M. Arber, K. Fordham, R. Alltree, L. Bollington, T. Comber, T. Willmore, J. Green, V. Hutley, J. Barrett, G. Forster and E. Wooding

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