BILLERICAY TOWN 1 CHELMSFORD CITY 3

Match report...

Eastern Region Womens League
Division One South
BILLERICAY TOWN 1 CHELMSFORD CITY 3

City began their opening league fixture with a tricky away game at newly promoted Billericay and it was the Clarets who began the game more brightly. A strike from Helen Alder forced the Town keeper to make an early save while two minutes later, the home team have a good effort which was saved by Leanne Topper in the City goal.

City slowly looked to gain a grip on the game with some quick passing football while also attempting to snuff out the continued long balls put forward by the home team.

As the end of the first half approached, Alder pressurised the Town defence which ended in her being fouled on the edge of the box. Quick thinking by Emma Ridings saw her latch onto the loose ball and fire a left footed shot over the head of the keeper to give City a narrow half time lead.

Within the first few minutes of the second half, City forced two corners but failed to create any clear cut chances. Both sides were now playing passing football and as City introduced fresh legs, they soon looked the brighter of the two teams.

On 50 minutes, Ridings looked to have netted City's second goal but, after a collision with the home keeper the goal was disallowed for a foul on the keeper. Some inspiring football by Michelle Davis in the middle of the park and Jasmine Wheeler’s runs down the wing, ensured City were now creating a number of chances.

City extended their lead following a superb move, involving no less than four players, Amy Vernon providing the final ball which fell to Alder, who calmly slotted the ball into the Billericay net.

Town were certainly not dead and buried and shortly after City’s second goal, it was the home team who found the back of the net after City failed to react to a counter attack led by Lisa Robins.

With the game drawing to a close City were awarded a direct free kick on the edge of the box after a foul on Wheeler. Sharon Brownlie stepped up to take the kick and fired a thunderous shot which struck the underneath of the crossbar before finding it's way into the back of the net.

Town applied pressure during the final few minutes and looked to have netted a well earned second goal but for Topper, who pulled off an unbelievable save which saw the game end with a 3 - 1 win for the Clarets.

Essex County FA Charter Standard Womens Tournament

Chelmsford City Ladies were looking to retain their title and did so in style on Saturday. Twenty Four hours prior to their opening league fixture, City honoured their commitment as a Charter Standard Club and entered a strong side into the Essex County FA Competition. They swept the board, winning all their six matches, playing some wonderful fluent, passing football on the way.

In the six matches played throughout the day, they beat Runwell Hospital 1-0 and 3-0, C & K Basildon 4-0 and 4-1and Witham Town 3-1 and 8-1.