Chelmsford City Ladies

Match reports for First team, U14's, and U10's.

First Team

Essex County Womens League Cup Semi-Final
Barking v Chelmsford City

Chelmsford started well by creating three scoring opportunities within the first ten minutes of the match, before the game turned into a midfield battle. City continued to push forward with neat football, one such move resulting in a fierce shot which could only be parried by the Barking keeper. City's Shirley Cole reacted first to square the rebound to Paula Drane who calmly netted into the open goal.

Barking showed their character and were level within minutes just before the break with a well taken goal to leave the scores level at the break.

The second half continued to be as physical as the first with a number of City players needing treatment but City showed their character to gain the upper hand. On 75 minutes Emma Ridings broke through the defence and lobbed the oncoming keeper with perfect precision to restore Chelmsford's lead. In almost an exact replica of the first half within minutes Barking had the opportunity to draw level but this opportunity was squandered following a wonderful last ditch clearance by the covering Kerri Binks.

City continued to press looking to put the game beyond Barking and were rewarded in the 85th minute when the Barking keeper brought down Paula Drane and City were awarded a penalty. The keeper saved the penalty kick and from the resulting corner, Lucy Garrett drilled the ball in for the unmarked Shirley Cole to head home for City. This was the final action in what was a very physical encounter.

Final Score

Barking 1 Chelmsford City 3

Next match(es)

Chelmsford City will face Billericay Town in the final on 16th May at White Notley FC.

This Sunday City make the tough trip to face fellow title contenders, Saffron Walden Town.

U14's

Essex County Girls League Under 14 League Cup Quarter-Final
Buckhurst Hill v Chelmsford City

After a period of over five months without losing a competitive football match, Chelmsford City were knocked out of the cup competition on Sunday morning by a strong Buckhurst Hill side. From the start, Buckhurst looked the better team, and despite their valiant efforts, City were unable to control the game, with the home side dominating for the entire match.

Buckhurst had the majority of possession and shots on goal, but the Chelmsford defence stood strong, and it was looking to be a very close game. However, as a Buckhurst Hill striker was allowed space in the penalty area, she took full advantage and fired home the opening goal.

City continued to battle on in the second half, despite tough weather conditions and even tougher opponents, but Buckhurst were too strong for the away team, and netted another two goals. Had it not been for some magnificent goalkeeping from Amber Thomson however, Buckhurst could easily have won by several more goals.

Although City gave their all and put in a tremendous effort, Buckhurst Hill always looked to be the better side, and they fully deserved the win to progress through to the semi-finals.

Final score

Buckhurst Hill 3 Chelmsford City 0

Under 10

Chelmsford City v Wickford Town

A wet and windy Chelmer Park saw Chelmsford U10's pull back from a 0-1 half time deficit for an impressive 3-1 victory. Wickford had the best of the first half, striking the woodwork within 5 minutes and going one up on 20 minutes after a low corner flashed across the Chelmsford penalty area for a simple tap in at the far post. Robust defending by City's Beth Robson, Nelly Shams and Courtney Clarke prevented any further mishaps.

With a change of keeper in the Chelmsford goal, Sophie Haydon was unleashed up front for the start of the second half and within five minutes a gap in the Wickford defence allowed her to dart through and poke home a deserved equaliser.

Nicole Parish's many mazy runs created all sorts of problems for the Wickford defence and a fine solo effort again by Haydon, put Chelmsford into the lead. She was alert to retrieve a ball heading for a goal kick, beat two defenders then slotted the ball home. Most of the action was now in the Wickford half, but a good through ball from the visitors split the Chelmsford defence and only an acrobatic save by Hester Catchpole in the Chelmsford goal prevented a second Wickford goal.

With 5 minutes remaining, the game was sown up with Haydon completing her hat trick after pouncing on a loose ball 7 yards out, then nudging the ball straight through the bewildered goalkeepers legs.

A good team display by Chelmsford, who are gaining confidence with each
game played.

Team

Chelmsford City: Hester Catchpole, Beth Robson, Nelly Shams, Alicia Cork, Nicole Parish, Sophie Wander, Sophie Haydon, Millie Richards, Courtney Clarke.

Final score

Chelmsford City 3 Wickford Town 1