Heading into the final period with a 6-5 lead, the Lions couldn’t hold on and conceded six goals in the final session going down to another defeat. The squad have just one last chance to get a point this season when they face Basingstoke at home on Saturday.
Coached on this occasion by Eddie Joseph, the Lions went to Chelmsford once again short on numbers and were 2-0 down by the ninth minute. But when Chris Fox latched into a Michael Crosse pass to fire in at 9.36 the Lions were on the scoresheet.
Starting net minder Ruth Catell made some good stops but was beaten again after 16.46 and the period ended 3-1 to the home team.
Scott Beeson scored Lions’ second after 6.44 of the second, assisted by the pick of the Lions defence Jack Ball, and then James Hatfull shot in on the power play. Warriors scored twice to restore their lead but then two goals in ten seconds made it 5 each, Richard Hodge from Beeson on the power play, then Adam Peach assisted by Theo Abban at 33.30. Once again on the power play at 36.04 the Lions struck to take the lead when Callum Heath shot in from a pass from James Gosling and the Lions had the rare feeling of going into the final period in the lead.
But two goals in the opening minute and a half restored the edge to Chelmsford who were quick and were able to skate with three lines and looked likely to exploit a tiring Lions squad with just 11 skaters.
Warriors scored again at 43.37 but the Lions still fought back with Abban finishing off from Crosse and Peach at 44.05 and James Joseph setting up Heath for another at 50.42 on the power play.
But it was the Warriors who had the best of the closing stages scoring three more to ease away from the Lions to finish 11-8 winners in a game which you felt the Lions could have won, although they were again well outshot 32-65.
So it comes down to the final game of the season at home to Basingstoke at the Lee Valley Ice Centre on Saturday, face off at 17.15.