Chelmsford 1 - 2 Cardiff Junior Devils

Saturday 29th Nov saw the Cardiff Under 14's travel to Essex for their first league away match of the season against The Chelmsford Braves. After a run of homes games to start the year, helping Cardiff get off to a solid start, the team knew that this away game would pose them a strong challenge, especially after suffering their first defeat of the season the weekend before to the same Chelmsford team in Cardiff. The Devils were looking forward this rematch though, knowing that they didn't do themselves justice the week before and were keen on inflicting swift revenge.

After the long bus journey, Cardiff still looked focused and ready to challenge the Braves, although when the first puck dropped it was the home team who came out firing and got the best of the first two minutes keeping Cardiff pinned in their own end, and getting the first shots of the game on James Whiting in the Cardiff net who stood strong. Cardiff weathered this early pressure though, and once they settled started to turn the game in their favour and scored an early marker in the 3rd minute with one of their first real attacks. After some good play from defenseman Joe Morris, Owen Griffiths found Tom Parkinson, who rifled a hard shot past the home team's netminder to show Chelmsford that Cardiff had come to play. Both teams were battling hard for every puck and the game became a very physical affair between two teams fired up, both determined for the win. Possession was fairly even, but the Cardiff team, were managing to keep the puck clear of their own zone, playing some good defensive hockey, although neither team were managing to get many shots on either keeper, as players from both teams competed hard for everything. As the hitting from both teams continued, it was Cardiff who paid the price for some indiscipline. As with two players sitting out two minute minors, the Devils were left to kill off a 5 on 3 situation. The home team put on the pressure but the defenders stood strong to keep the chances down, and managed to kill off the first penalty, but with it now 5 on 4 skaters the Braves continued to probe the Cardiff net, and got off a good shot which Whiting in net managed to get a piece of, only to see the puck bounce over his shoulder and across the line to even the score at 1-1. Cardiff kept their heads though, and finished the period strong showing a great work ethic and good team spirit.

The 2nd period started where the 1st left off with both teams flying out of the blocks, and plenty of physical battles, but it was Cardiff who got the early pressure this time getting a string of shots on net, which the home keeper turned aside. The away team were looking more likely to score at this point and again found joy 3 minutes into the period, this time it was Zak Shanahan on his first outing as Assistant Captain finishing well after build up work from Matthew Thomas and Myles Chapman, to give the Devils a deserved 2-1 lead at this point. Cardiff were looking strong and kept the pressure on trying to find a 3rd goal that would give them breathing room, but found the Chelmsford netminder in strong form, as he saved two one on ones to keep the home team in it. This was vital as, as the period wore on it was the Braves that started to get more possession, as the Devils looked to try and see out the last 10 minutes of the game. Cardiff had to defend hard and got a slice of luck when a shot beat the Devils netminder only to strike the post and bounce away from the net. Chelmsford were now piling the pressure on, and the Cardiff team had to stand strong, protecting the front of the net well. With a minute to go the Devils found themselves down a man with Ellis Price in the bin for tripping. Chelmsford had looked strong with the extra player, and now pulled the keeper to make it 6 on 4 making the final 60 seconds tense. With two player advantage the Braves controlled the puck well but Callum Buglass and Joe Morris were playing some strong defence, with the help of Captain Kieran Latchford and Giacomo Raffaelli, keeping the puck away from net. As the seconds ticked down Cardiff bsttled hard, and it was the Devils that managed to hold out for a very hard fought 2-1 win, against a strong Chelmsford team, in what had been a close and physical game, picking up revenge for the loss at home the week before. Next game is in two weeks, at home to Romford.

Game Stats

Goal Scorers:	Assisted by:
Tom Parkinson 1+0 Zak Shanahan 1+0	Owen Griffiths 0+1 Mat Thomas 0+1

Shots on Goal:	Man of the Match:	Spirit of the Game:
James Whiting (Cardiff) - 14 Chelmsford Goal - 19	Zak Shanahan	Ellis Price