Tuesday 24 November 2015

Match Report: Haringey Racers 3 - Chelmsford Warriors 4

Chelmsford displayed their league leading credentials, coming back from two goals down in the final period to snatch victory away from the Racers. Despite their short bench, they found an extra gear late in the game with Stephen Woodford netting the winner three minutes from time after Haringey coughed up the puck behind their own net.

Warriors took the lead halfway through the first session with Jake Sylvester finding time and space to fire home after Niks Trapans blocked Callum Wells’ shot. Racers then survived an intense Chelmsford power-play with Trapans making a string of sharp saves to prevent the Warriors doubling the lead. This was rewarded late in the period when the home team equalised; Drew Campbell with the goal having been put through by Jack Ball and Josh Abbott.

An excellent second period for Haringey saw them open up a two goal lead. In the 25th minute Luke Tull’s shot was saved by Sonny Phillips, with Josh Ealey-Newman on hand to steer home the rebound. Ricky Mills scored Racers’ third in the 34rd minute, poking the puck home after good grafting by Lee Mercer and Ealey-Newman around the net.

Four minutes into the final period, and after a spell of sustained pressure, the Warriors pulled a goal back through Sylvester. The equaliser soon followed with Woodford firing home after more sustained pressure around the Racers’ net. The momentum was now with Chelmsford and, with Haringey appearing to tire, the late winning goal for the visitors settled a highly entertaining game.

Frustration for the Racers, but the opportunity to avenge this result comes quickly. The two sides meet again in Chelmsford next Saturday, 28th November (face off 5.40pm).

Racers scoring: Josh Ealey-Newman 1+1, Drew Campbell 1+0, Ricky Mills 1+0, Josh Abbott 0+1, Jack Ball 0+1, Luke Tull 0+1, Matt Brown 0+1, Lee Mercer 0+1
Warriors scoring: Jake Sylvester 2+1, Stephen Woodford 2+0, Edward Lay 0+2, Callum Wells 0+1, Ellis Swainsbury 0+1

Shots on goal: 28 on Niks Trapans (Racers) / 42 on Sonny Phillips (Warriors)
Racers Man of the Match: Sam Park Warriors Man of the Match: Sonny Phillips
Reporter: Tim Stuart