After the Rochford win the previous week, the biggest question was whether we could get 11 fit enough players out on the pitch!!

Army and Liam had been lost to injury, after making full use of our local NHS hospital the week before, however Matt and Darren passed fitness tests (well turned up!) with battle scars to show. Tt was a welcome back to M3's for Jesus between the sticks and timely return for Rob and Riz to give us reinforcements, unfortunately Will was lost to Illness on Friday evening. Thankfully we had Henry ('H') McKay on the subs bench to boost the old boys!

The Chelmsford team looked very keen and up for it, there had been good reports from the M4s game the week before with their good mix of youth and experience, and they had already made us scrap for a point at the away fixture earlier in the season so this was not going to be a easy walkover.

Whilst it is nprmal for us to start slowly and build up momentum, we started really positively and it was really good to see the old boys start on the front foot. After such a high the previous week and changes in the team, it was probably expected that we wouldn't be able to sustain the levels, however this is probably one of the best halves of the season with the quality of play seen on the pitch. We gave no chances for Chelmsford to have time on the ball and the defence once again controlled and snuffed out any possible attacks.

It wasn't long before we took the lead, it came from a short corner and slipped across to Adam who calmly finished to mean we had a deserved lead. The old boys pressure continued, this time it was Bert who decided to go on one of his maizy runs through the Chelmsford team who could not lay a stick on him, this time it fell on his reverse stick and a clinical finish to put us 2-0 up. We won't talk about the air shot just before that Bert!

Half time arrived, Rob was giving out his words of wisdom and direction to the team, it was too much for some of the team and one individual who asked Rob for one instruction he could remember! At one stage Rob was heard giving instructions to Adam, only to notice that Adam had gone off to the bathroom during half time, he must have known!

The second half started as we had finished the first half, we were playing some excellent hockey and it wasn't long before further goals came from George and Adam, to give us the comfort that we needed. I am not sure really what happened at that stage, whether it was a case of taking our foot off the pedal or losing some of the positive energy, but we somehow started to lose the ball and our passes were going straight to our opponents. This gave Chelmsford the encouragement that they needed and probably for the last quarter, it was a case of withstanding the pressure and the nerves really started to show, even though we had a cushion. Although there wasn't many attacks, they did break through the backline and this time beat the onrushing Jesus and they had a consolidation goal, Jesus was not impressed!

Not the best finish to the game in terms of our play but we saw the game out with comfortable 4-1 result, against a good solid Chelmsford side.

Another really great performance from the team to ensure that we stay top of the league and with Crostyx beating Rochford, the lead to the chasing bunch now extends to 9 points. We move on again and next week take on Crostyx who are now sitting in second place, so once again a tough game. The team spiirit is really great to see and everyone has each others backs.

Special mentions:
- Henry for making his M3s debut and looking as comfortable as he did, showing real ability and skill on the wings, well played
- Jesus for helping us out with a 10:30 start and then having to stay at the club until the M2s game at 4:30, real club man
- Adam, for going to play for the M4s against Saffron Walden away at 5pm, massive thanks and even grabbed a goal and has been heard trying to claim a hattrick for the day!

MOM: Rob & Bert
Goal Scorers: Adam x 2 ; Bert ; George