CHELMSFORD, UK – Chelmsford Chieftains were crowned English National League South Play-Off Champions after a convincing two legged victory over league champions Wightlink Raiders this weekend.
On a hazy lazy Sunday in leafy Essex, the replica jersey clad folk of Chelmsford and the Isle of Wight gathered at the Riverside, supplemented by hockey fans and players from across the UK. The Chieftains had a relaxed yet focused air about them in front of the suited and booted Fifer Dean Birrell, the Chelmsford coach who had masterminded a surprising 4-2 first leg lead on the island the previous evening.
We are the champions
Wightlink in stark contrast had the look of a side still reeling from the night before, knowing that they would have to win at the Riverside for the first time this season if they wanted to end the season with a double. The officious Blaine Evans, the lucky official selected by the EIHA to ensure a fair game dropped the puck to a fanfare of noise, helped by the travelling hordes that had made the trip from the island decked in fancy dress with colourful balloons.
The boisterous support seemed to have no affect on their team as an alarming lack of spark or creativity from the league champions in the early stages allowed the Chelmsford youngsters’ time to settle and check any nerves. It was one of the elder ‘youngsters’ who broke the deadlock to the delight of the home crowd as Danny Hammond took advantage of some uncharacteristically sloppy defending from the Raiders to beat Matt Colclough in the Wightlink goal.
It took until the second period for Wightlink to gain some decent possession, and when they finally managed to put some sustained pressure on the Chelmsford goal, they got a reward as Brad Watchorn equalised with a shot from the hash marks that squeezed through Ben Clements legs. This was the time for the Raiders to assert their physical advantage and to test the Chieftains resolve, however aside from the industrious Richard Bentham’s lone fore-checking; the Chelmsford rear guard faced few challenges and looked composed and unruffled on the puck.
Chelmsford upped their game and proceeded to play some of the best hockey of their season. Aaron Connolly marked his return to home ice following a spell with Great Britain under 18’s with a well taken effort to give Chelmsford the lead, and more importantly a three goal cushion on aggregate. Then came the goal that would sum up the Raiders night and effectively kill off the game, as another sloppy clearance from the under pressure defence fell to Blaho Novak in the slot and he poked the puck across to Canadian Kyle Jones who blazed his slap shot into the top corner of Colclough’s net to spark wild celebrations from the Chieftains import and in turn the home support.
The league champions were to all intents and purposes a beaten outfit and the predictable whispers in the crowd suggesting that the game would turn ugly, were disproven as Cornish and his men to their credit, plugged away without resorting to a physical and sore end to their season.
Chelmsford’s speedy youngsters took full license with this lack of intimidation and their crisp passing and fast flowing breakouts reflected their ever growing confidence. Forwards Ross Brears and James Ayling in particular gave the Raiders defence a torrid end to the season, with Ayling scoring two excellent solo efforts to seal the game and confirm the Essex side as undoubted Play-Off Champions with a 9-3 aggregate win.
Chelmsford pride
For Coach Birrell it was the end of a long road, that three seasons ago saw the club rebuilding in ENL 2 following their drop out from the English Premier League. The Scot can take great credit from moulding the talent presented by the junior club into a title winning senior side.
“I am delighted that a group of Chelmsford youngsters have come together and developed into the team we have here and have rightly won a prestigious trophy” said an emotional Birrell after the game, which was played in front of over a thousand fans.
“We’ve worked hard as a team from when we first got together three seasons back and we’re now standing here as ENL South Play-Off champions”
Birrell will now move upstairs to become Director of Coaching at the club (following the national play-off final), leaving a vacancy on the team bench for next season. Whoever comes in may need to plug some gaps left by departed players as other clubs prey on the Essex talent base.
“Seventeen of the players are from, or around Chelmsford or have been part of the Chelmsford junior set up. Very few senior clubs can claim that sort of development for their young players” explained Birrell.
“It’s great that bigger clubs from higher leagues were here over the weekend scouting our players as it shows that we’re doing something right when your players are in demand. Right now though, we’re going to enjoy our richly deserved triumph and then it’s back to business for the National final in two weeks time”
For Wightlink Coach and former Newcastle Viper Jeremy Cornish, the chance to return to the North East and play against the predicted ENL North Champions Whitley Warriors, is gone. The big Canadian was disappointed with the way the weekend went, however it has to be said that the Raiders and their fans emerged from the Play-Off final with credit for the way they handled the defeat. They also have a league title to show for their efforts this season so the Ryde natives have every reason to be proud of their team this season.
Chelmsford now face a two week wait before they face either Whitley Warriors or Coventry ENL Blaze in the ENL National Play-Off final.
Pro Hockey News would like to congratulate the Chelmsford Chieftains on their Play-Off success.
Chelmsford Chieftains ENL South Play-Off Champions 2010/11
35 Ben Clements (NM), 29 Andy Brummitt (NM), 4 Danny Cox (D), 8 Matt Turner (F), 10 Alex Green (D), 11 Darren Brown (F), 15 Ross Brears (F), 17 Alex Staples (F), 19 Danny Hammond (F), 22 Aaron Connolly (F), 27 Kyle Jones (F – Import), 28 Danny Wright (F), 61 Blaho Novak (F), 71 Tom Long (F), 77 Nathanael “BT” Williams (F), 84 Rudi Dzurko (D – Import), 91 James Ayling (F)
Head Coach – Dean Birrell
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
All Photos Copyright Ian Snoding
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