Chelmsford Chieftains' dismal recent run of form continued on Sunday as they crashed at home to local rivals Romford Raiders in front of a 900 plus crowd.

For Raiders there was only pride at stake as they were already out of the play-offs, while for Chieftains it was a chance to regain some of the early-year form that saw them race into a play-off spot.

Chieftains, who were still without key defencemen Karl Goebel and Jon Main,,fell to the quickfire raids of the visitors, although they outshot Raiders by 38 to 28.

Raiders opened the scoring after 2.24 when Zbynek Sebor fired in a Danny Marshall pass, and ex-Chieftains Billy Rawles then took advantage of a napping defence to score on 14.19.

Chieftains responded immediately when Jon Cotton superbly deked Nerminen in the Raiders' goal.

The euphoria was short-lived as Rawles popped up to net past an exposed Dave Pinchin in the home goal.

The second period saw Raiders increase their lead at 24.00, again through Rawles, but once again Chieftains responded when Cotton and Karl Rogers set up Andy Hannah for a finely taken goal.

Chieftains replaced Pinchin with Chad Macleod in goal at 26.39 and at 28.31 Raiders were awarded a penalty shot after Jake French had pulled down Zebor in front of goal.

Another former Chieftain, Danny Marshall, stepped up for the shot, but the shot went over the bar.

Rawles completed his fourth goal on 29.18 leaving Chieftains a mountain to climb.

The match boiled over at 37.53 when after Cotton was tripped and awarded a penalty, an off the puck incident resulted in several small skirmishes.

As a result no less than six players were given penalties, the most severe going to Karl Rogers who was ordered from the game after a senseless spearing incident with Rawles in the 'sin bin', a penalty which will almost certainly put Rogers out of the first play-off match this weekend.

Even though Chieftains had all the last period pressure they could not beat Nurminen and Raiders hit two unanswered goals, one at 46.32 through Timo Kauhanen and Rawles fifth at 58.12 to complete a miserable night for Chieftains.

Tari Suwari won the Ridleys Brewers man of the match award for Chieftains and Billy Rawles collected the award for Raiders.

Chelmsford Chieftains have announced their play-off dates for this year's Premier League.

They are: Saturday, March 27, Chieftains v Solihull Blaze (face off 6pm); Saturday, April 3, Swindon Chill v Chieftains (face off 5.30pm); Sunday, April 4, Chieftains v Swindon Chill (face off 6.30pm); and Sunday, April 11, Solihull Blaze v Chieftains (face off 7pm).

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