It might have been the Y2K problem - or possibly just flu, but whatever the reason, the Cobras who travelled to Oxford were a far cry from the team who beat Streatham 12-3 in their last game.
Oxford City's player of the game, Sarah Poulter opened the scoring after 29 seconds, a pattern that was repeated in each of the three periods, and it was all down hill from there for the Cobras who never really got going. At the end of the first period the Zodiacs lead 4-0, having outshot Chelmsford 16-3.
Sarah Poulter grabbed her fourth, 47 seconds into the second, and they had increased their lead to 9-0 before the Cobras offence got into gear. Emma Stott won a face-off and found Stacey Wood breaking free through the Oxford defence. She was able to keep her head as she skated in on the goal before slotting the puck past Denise Taylor in the Zodiacs net to put the Cobras on the board.
That seemed to slow the Zodiacs somewhat, as there was no more scoring in the period, although it took just 31 seconds in the third for them to notch up double figures.
At this time, with the win in the bag, Oxford appeared to be trying to set-up those players who hadn't yet scored. However, this didn't stop them scoring, as they were able to convert 8 of their 25 shots in this period, and once again the Cobras were unable to trouble the scorers.
Cobras' player of the game award was jointly given to Emma Stott and Marianne Wright.
The next Cobras game is 22nd January 2000, when they entertain last year's champions, Cardiff Comets who are currently in second place in the league, but are undefeated.
Oxford City: Sarah Poulter 7+1(0), Teresa Greenwood 3+0(0), Becky Hughes 2+2(0), Susie Clark 2+1(0), Mima Boardman 1+2(0), Beth Fermor 1+1(0), Poly Smart 1+0(0), Sally Boardman 0+2(0), Karen Featonby 0+2(0), Jae Rance 0+1(0).
Chelmsford: Stacey Wood 1+0(0), Emma Stott 0+1(0)