Judgement Day Round 3 is upon us

GILLINGHAM, UK – There is usually nothing like a good old local derby to encourage a bit of controversy. Claims and counter claims as to the merits of one sides success and the heap of ill fortune and bad luck that caused  its failure on the other. Especially if its the first league meetings between the combatants for several years in the case of the two clashes either side of the Dartford Crossing between Invicta and Chelmsford. The games just before Christmas were never likely to be truly in the seasonal spirit of peace and goodwill with the Dynamos shading the odd goal in seven at the Riverside but surrendering their 100% home record back on Kentish ice in a hard fought 2-2 draw. The Chieftains faithful considered themselves unfortunate not to have gained more than just the solitary point, a view echoed by coach Dean Birrell. Meanwhile on the other side of the Thames Estuary his opposite number Kevin Parrish actually praised their rivals. “I thought Chelmsford played above themselves, their youngsters did very well indeed and I think the pre match opinions of the Chieftains being the underdogs fired them up in both games. But to talk of luck is silly. You make your own luck and we could point at the flu virus that saw a number of our players suffering in both games coupled with a lack of ice practice

time caused by one or two problems with our Zamboni”. And Parrish was quick to reply to Birrells comment after the Gillingham match that Invicta’s two goals were scored by imports, Nolan Boike and Peter Vaisanen, whilst the Chieftains’s goals were scored by Brits. “All four of our goals at the Riverside were notched up by British trained players and Dean should perhaps remember that two of his scorers that day, Aaron Connelly and Adam Copland, came to him from our club – they have still got Invicta stamped right through them.” One thing is for sure is that the fierce local rivalry between the two clubs has re-emerged and season best attendances were reported from each venue after both matches. The next encounter between the two is in Gillingham this Sunday, 3rd January. Invicta seem to have taken the “Judgement Day” series to heart and have labelled it “Judgement Day Round 3” and a another bumper crowd is expected in North Kent for what should prove to be yet another exhilarating game. Contact the author Bernard.Sealy@Prohockeynews.com