Score Shots Penalties Chelmsford 0 0 0 0 5 2 2 9 0 2 0 2 Oxford 0 2 3 5 7 5 15 27 2 0 0 2
Both teams started at a frantic pace, with play flowing from end to end, and both Cobras and Zodiacs making many player changes on the fly before the first whistle at 6:19.
The play was fairly even throughout the period, and although the Zodiacs outshot the Cobras 7-5, the best chance went to the Cobras, for whom Jo Abbs hit the post, through a screen from the point at 10:15.
The second period started in much the same way, and with only 91 seconds gone the Cobras seemed to have taken the lead, through Rachael Mockler, only for the goal to be disallowed because it had come off the Zodiacs goaltenders helmet.
Four minutes later, Cobras player of the game, Claire Ruse took a minor penalty for cross checking, and within 4 seconds the Zodiacs were in the lead through Nonie Dodwell.
The play continued to flow either way, but both teams defences seemed to be in control as the shots were kept to a minimum on each net. The Zodiacs did manage to extend their lead to 2-0 through a breakaway goal from Diana Milner.
The third period saw the Zodiacs start to take control, as the Cobras first line started to tire, and were by now noticeably missing normal team captain Emma Stott who is currently injured. Oxford piled the pressure on Charline Forrester in the Cobras net, outshooting Chelmsford 15-2 in the period, with goals from Sarah Poulter, Sally Boardman, and finally player of the game Karen Featonby.
The Cobras next game is on Saturday November 1st, at Riverside, starting at 5:15pm