CHELMSFORD’S campaign to retain National League status came to a successful conclusion at the end of a long season with this controlled and workmanlike win away at Nottingham.

Chelmsford started brightly and could have scored within a minute. As the game unfolded, excellent interactions between Kate Maxey and Kate Taylor at the front looked like they could open up the Boots defence.

Chelmsford had control of much of the game, but they had a spell late in the second half where they allowed Boots some space.

Boots responded to this with a rapid, well co-ordinated attack and forced a goal, to go into half time with a 1-0 lead with their confidence boosted.

The opening of the second half was evenly balanced until Chelmsford went up a couple of gears. Cheryl Valentine, Kat Hales and Tori Clark pulled the Boots defence apart and after 11 minutes Kate Taylor picked up the ball outside the top of the D, foxed a defender and sweetly struck the equaliser.

Chelmsford’s confidence lifted and some flowing hockey ensued. The midfield fed a series of probing passes forward and again Kate Taylor took possession of the ball. A tight cut back from the right found Kat Hales with space and an excellently executed goal.

More chances came Chelmsford’s way and as the final minutes wound down they restrained any advances from Boots to get the job done with a well-earned win.