BRAINTREE LADIES 1

CHELMSFORD III 1

Essex Women's League premier division

PLAYING without substitutes meant a tough, tiring match for Braintree Hockey Club ladies' firsts against local rivals Chelmsford, who were able to make rolling substitutions through the match.

The opposition started the better and were soon ahead and looking ominous, however Braintree dug in from the re-start and began to have more possession.

Chelmsford still looked dangerous on the counter-attack, but Braintree did get their reward with a goal by Chloe Whittingham, whose first shot was saved but she followed up to ensure the scores were level.

In a fairly even match, both sides had a fair amount of possession and the goalkeepers at each end saved their respective teams.

Chelmsford may feel a little unfortunate having thought they had gone ahead only to find their strike disallowed for an infringement and they then twice hit the post having finally got through to Shelly Haslam in goal.

The final score stayed at 1-1, though, which Braintree felt was a good result for them.

BRAINTREE LADIES II 1

UPMINSTER IV 1

Essex Women's League division three

IT was a very different looking Braintree ladies seconds that made the trip to Upminster but they came back with a 1-1 draw in Essex Women's League division three.

Upminster had the majority of the possession in the first half, but they only managed to have a handful of shots on goal and the Braintree defence once again looked resolute.

Braintree also had some good build-up play with Kim Smith and Jude Walthew testing the opposition keeper.

Braintree took the match to Upminster in the second half, though, retaining a lot more of the possession and making some great runs into the opposition D.

It wasn't too long before Walthew scored a great solo goal after picking up the ball near the half-way line, taking it past two or three of the opposition and slotting home past the keeper.

Braintree continued to work hard with some great play from the midfield in creating further chances, but with about five minutes left, Upminster equalised.

The visitors had thought there was a foul for an Upminster foot, but it wasn't given and the hosts took advantage of Braintree's hesitation.

The match then became a little frenetic with both sides looking for the winner but it ended at one apiece.

Molly-Jo Saward was Braintree's player-of-the-match.