Chelmsford welcomed Invicta for the first game of a double-header weekend and after a narrow 2-0 defeat away at Solihull the previous week; the Cobras were looking to get maximum points from the two games. After a 35 minute delay due to the opposition being caught in a major traffic jam and the game started with both teams looking unsettled.
After nine minutes and eight seconds of end to end play with very few chances, Invicta took their only clear cut chance to open the scoring through Teresa Greenwood, assisted by Akiko Bamlett. Play continued in much the same way and again, Invicta capitalised with Heidi Korff tucking the shot away at 13.11, leaving the period 0-2 to the visitors.
Chelmsford went into the second period with renewed vigour and at only 15.25 Christine Sowinski set up Stacey Wood for the first of her hat-trick goals, opening the account for the Cobras. Keeping the pressure on, Wood scored her second, this time assisted by Emma Stott at 28.22, which took the second period to a close with the scores tied 2-2.
The third period started with Cobras shorthanded due to Nikki Grant being penalised for hooking at 30.00 (on the buzzer) and Invicta pounced on this powerplay, scoring within 13 seconds at 30.22. It was then the Dynamics turn to be shorthanded with Tracy Gough going to the sinbin for interference, but despite great work from Chelmsford, they couldn't convert the opportunity.
At 35.54, Invicta's Greenwood struck through and took their lead to 4-2, but within six seconds Wood scored her hat-trick to reduce the deficit to 4-3, unassisted at 36.01. With all to play for, both teams worked hard, but Chelmsford got there with Stott scoring the equaliser, assisted by Wood at 42.03 on a powerplay, Invicta's Karen Thompson having been penalised for slashing at 40.26. Cobras continued to keep the pressure on, playing for the win, but after Sowinski received the final penalty of the game at 44.41 for high sticks, both teams had to settle for a share of the points.
Player of the match went to a well deserved Stacey Wood for Chelmsford with 3 goals & one assist and Invicta's went to Karen Thompson. In net, Cobras Anna Kirkby faced 21 shots and Valerie Fraser saw 22.
Stacey Wood 3+1, Emma Stott 1+1, Christine Sowinski 0+1 (2) Nikki Grant (2)