Chelmsford Men lost the chance to control their Division One destiny by going down 3-0 at home to Barford Tigers.

Having dropped out of the top eight for the first time this year with one match remaining, Chelmsford know that even a win next week away at Loughborough Students might not be enough to clinch a place in next season's Division One.

Mathematically, at least, there are now five teams competing for the last four places in the top eight and Chelmsford must now be the outsiders.

They failed to control the pace of the game and allowed their opponents to dictate the course of the game which, at times was played at a pedestrian pace, allowing Tigers to play the ball around at will.

Although the visitors enjoyed the lion's share of possession, they failed to create any clear openings as Gary Boucher was in commanding form in the centre of Chelmsford's defence.

With so much at stake, it was likely that a set piece would be needed to break the deadlock and Barford forced three penalty corners in the first half an hour.

From the third of these, after 26 minutes, Dhaminder Singh's shot from the top of the D was well saved by Chelmsford goalkeeper Paddy Aldridge who could only watch helplessly as Amarjit Degun collected the loose ball at the near post and rolled it into an empty net.

Following this setback, Chelmsford did manage to raise their game for the last few minutes of the first half with Craig Fulton and Abdul Khalik running at the Barford defence. However, some strong tackling at the top of the D kept Chelmsford at bay.

After the break Chelmsford failed to maintain the momentum they had picked up towards the end of the first half.

Just eight minutes into the half, another penalty corner was awarded to Barford and, although the routine broke down, Manjeet Degun improvised well to get a shot in that beat Aldridge's outstretched stick to go in off the post.

Two goals down when at least a point was required from the game gave Chelmsford no option but to throw players forward.

Predictably, this left gaps at the back and the game was eventually sealed in the 57th minute when Dharminder Singh converted yet another penalty corner to put his side three goals ahead and completely in control.

Next Sunday, Chelmsford travel to Loughborough to take on Loughborough Students. The game starts at 2pm at Loughborough University.

Action from Sunday's match at Chelmer Park as a Chelmsford player, left, contests the ball with a Barford Tigers player during the English League Division One match. Women's promotion assured

ALDRIDGE 0

CHELMSFORD HIGHWAY 4

(National League Division One)

After four seasons in Division One, Chelmsford Highway finally secured their return to the Premier Division with an excellent away victory over promotion chasing rivals Aldridge last Saturday.

The importance of this game was obvious. Both teams were level on points with Chelmsford lying in second place just above their opponents by courtesy of a superior goal difference.

It was a winner takes all situation, with both teams knowing that a win would secure automatic promotion.

Considering the importance of this final league match of the season both teams showed a surprising lack of nerves as the game developed into an exciting affair with hockey of the highest quality.

Aldridge certainly enjoyed the better of the opening 20 minutes in terms of having more possession and exerting a bit of pressure on their visitors. Their only real chance, however, came when Jane Swinnertonlow spun and shot into the side netting from a tight angle.

The fit again Marie Arber meant Chelmsford could field a more settled and better balanced defensive line-up with Jo Sargent more comfortable and effective on the right and the experienced Julie Parrott and Tracy Goodchild patrolling and controlling the central areas.

Despite early pressure from Aldridge it was Chelmsford who looked the more likely to score. The speed of their counter attacking and passing and movement off the ball created all sorts of problems for the home side's defence.

Chelmsford forced several penalty corners on their forages forward and it was no surprise when one finally paid dividends. Kath Fordham slipped the ball to Julie Parrott who despatched it into the top corner of the net.

For the next few minutes Chelmsford threatened briefly to let their excitement take over and were guilty of giving away several silly free hits and penalty corners. Katie Roberts saved brilliantly from one penalty corner before Arber cleared the ensuing danger.

Chelmsford cleared their heads and calmed down and grabbed a second goal five minutes from half time.

It was another excellent sweeping move which began in defence as Lynn Bollington found Tracy Willmore in midfield.

She looked up and picked out Becky Alltree surging forward from her midfield position. Alltree drew two defenders at the top of the circle before slipping the ball to Jo Green who rounded the keeper and coolly finished off a brilliant team move.

Chelmsford's growing dominance of the game was emphasised with a third goal just seconds before half time. It again began deep in their own half. Aber's long clearance up the left found Green in space and she showed excellent vision with an early pass to Willmore.

With no real support Willmore took the only option open to her and shot from an acute angle and squeezed the ball past the keeper at her near post.

This goal effectively killed off any hope Aldridge had of a second half comeback. Despite an early second half pressure from their hosts, Chelmsford comfortably contained them.

It looked more and more likely that it would be Chelmsford who would do any further scoring, and this proved to be the case when Bollington again fed Willmore whose driven cross was turned in by Fordham.

Knowing they were safe in victory, Chelmsford played out the remaining 15 minutes, threatening but not quite managing to score again.

This victory not only meant that promotion celebrations could begin, but also sends them into the quarter finals of the English Hockey Association cup in good heart.

Chelmsford Highway will take on Bradford in the cup quarter finals on March 28 at Hannakins Farm pitch in Billericay.

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