Hockey: Brave Sunderland miss out

Apr 15 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

SUNDERLAND were denied a place in next season’s Women’s England Hockey League Premier Division, but not without putting up a fight in their play-off against Chelmsford, writes STUART RAYNER.

The Wearsiders fought back from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw on Sunday, but the damage was done in the opening half of the previous day’s first leg. Both matches took place at Chelmsford’s Chelmer Park, which was selected to host the men’s and women’s play-offs and the Premier Division side made home advantage tell at the start of Saturday’s game, which Chelmsford won 3-1

Great Britain international Chloe Rogers put Chelmsford in front after eight minutes, Haylie Heggie deflecting a second soon after. Some good goalkeeping from Jo Spotswood kept the score down but she was unable to prevent Lynn Bollington tapping in a long ball three minutes from half-time.

Louise Gordon pulled back a short corner goal after the interval and Sunderland, who qualified for the play-off by finishing second in this season’s Division One, twice went close from corners.

The following day Chelmsford again started the better and Rogers again opened the scoring, this time from the penalty spot after being fouled in the D. Kirsty Smith added a second early in the second half, and at 5-1 on aggregate, the tie was beyond Sunderland. They refused to give in, however, Susan Hamilton scoring twice from penalty corners before having a third goal disallowed.