Chelmsford women: 1

Sevenoaks women: 2

SECOND-placed Sevenoaks were playing third-placed Chelmsford in the England Hockey National League East Conference, so there was no doubt this would be a hard-fought match if either team were to have a serious hope of catching leaders Ipswich.

Oaks got off to a better start, setting a high tempo, pressing well and getting good possession in their opponents' half. Chelmsford responded and had a golden opportunity to take the lead when a through-ball found their number seven in space in a one on one.

However, Oaks keeper and player of the match Gill Thomson was cool and composed, blocking the eventual shot with ease.

Late in the half, Beth Begg put Oaks in front when she reacted first to a loose ball from a short corner.

Within minutes of the turnaround, Chelmsford thought they had equalised, but the shot had been made from outside the D. This led to frustration among the home side and the match continued in a tense atmosphere.

Oaks kept their discipline and played with a commitment embodied by Fiona Harland, who played most of the match with a suspected broken toe.

In a half of little fluid play, Oaks found themselves under the cosh for periods as Chelmsford looked to threaten, but they came through unscathed and, with 10 minutes remaining, Jet Van Zalen extended their lead when she improvised at a short corner and fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner.

This two-goal cushion proved crucial as Chelmsford refused to concede defeat and pulled a goal back when their player took the ball on to the back line and played the perfect pass for their striker to finish.

However, Oaks hung on for a well-deserved three points. They play their first home match of 2010 on Saturday against Southgate (5pm).

Bromley and Becks' women II: 3

Sevenoaks women III: 1

SEVENOAKS' women's thirds began their re-arranged league game against Bromley and Beckenham II in some style, going ahead from their first short corner of the match when captain Jacqui Hudson slipped the ball to Jess Deniff who swept it into the far corner.

Sevenoaks continued to put lots of pressure on the Bromley/Becks defence and were very unlucky not to go several more goals in front during the next 10 minutes.

However, it was Bromley/Becks who scored next with a very soft goal, which was really the result of Sevenoaks' indecisiveness in defence.

Sevenoaks continued to apply pressure, though, and Alex Pearson was very unlucky not to score, after she had collected from a strong strike by Carolyn Kelly at a corner, but her deflection looped agonisingly over the crossbar.

Jess Deniff and Catherine Scorey, in particular, made very strong runs down the flanks, but the chances created were not converted.

Bromley/Becks went ahead before half-time with a well-rehearsed short corner routine.

Again, throughout the second half Sevenoaks created plenty of opportunities, but never found the back of the net. Oaks keeper Caroline Troeman made a superb save, when she found herself as the last line of defence against an approaching Bromley/Becks forward.

However, soon after, Bromley/Becks scored again, from a short corner, and Sevenoaks never really recovered from this blow to their confidence, going home with no points from their game in hand over the teams above.

Upcoming fixtures: Saturday February 20: 1:30pm – Sevenoaks Men's 2nd XI v Blackheath Men's 1st XI – Hollybush. 5:00pm - Sevenoaks Ladies 1st XI v Southgate Ladies 1st XI – Hollybush.