Canadian Leigh Sandison is in her fourth season with Old Loughtonians

Old Loughtonians Ladies were left to rue a second half of "panic" as they squandered a two-goal lead against rivals Chelmsford.

Sunday's Essex derby in the Women's Conference East finished 2-2.

And Old Loughts' Leigh Sandison told BBC Essex: "In the second half they stepped it up a notch and we weren't really ready for that.

"We got panicked, as we typically do in every second half we play, and could not get back into our rhythm."

Jenny Farrow and Rachael Dunning had given the Chigwell side a half-time lead at Luxborough Lane, only for Rebecca Budd and Cat Hales to level things up for Chelmsford.

Chelmsford captain Marie Kirkham was disappointed with her team's performance in the early stages.

"I thought we made some rookie errors in the first half," she said.

"We didn't keep possession well and they seemed to want the game more than us.

"So there was a bit of a telling off from myself and Alan Lindsay [coach] at half-time.

In normal Loughts style we pick up just before Christmas and seem to carry that on to the second half of the season Old Loughtonians captain Sarah Smith

"We obviously picked it up and got something from the game, at half-time we'd have taken a point."

The result leaves Chelmsford fourth in the table, three points adrift of leaders Sevenoaks.

Lindsay added: "We're looking in good shape, our pre-season was a little bitty due to the weather, but I think we're in good shape again.

"We can look forward to next week when we can hopefully build on the performance."

Meanwhile, Old Loughtonians are two places and six points behind their neighbours.

Captain Sarah Smith is optimistic they can make a late charge up the table.

"In normal Loughts style we pick up just before Christmas and seem to carry that on to the second half of the season," she said.

"Hopefully we'll carry that through, we're aiming for top four at least."

Old Loughts host Harleston Magpies on Saturday while Chelmsford go to Horsham.

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