Pre-Season Friendly

Sunday 16^th July 2005

 Chelmsford City 2 v 1 The Terriers (Maine, USA)

 In their first pre-season friendly of the 2005/06 season, Chelmsford City Ladies ran-out 2 – 1 winner’s against American opposition in the form of The Terriers from Maine.

    Despite the intense heat and the lack of regular players, Chelmsford put on a good team display and fully deserved the win against a young and athletic American side.

    The Clarets started brightly, and within five minutes, Lucy Garrett had put them in front with a fine goal, launching the ball past the keeper with pinpoint accuracy.

    But as the game wore on, the exhausting heat took its toll on the City players, and on the stroke of half-time, The Terriers levelled the score with a low drive into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

    After a much needed half-time break, both teams looked rejuvenated going into the second half, but it was the away side who took control with sustained pressure on City’s makeshift defence.

    But to their credit, City dealt with the skilful Americans well, and the young keeper Jade Parker, on her first-team debut, made a string of outstanding saves to keep the score level.

    Midway through the half, Emma Ridings burst through from the heart of midfield and lofted the opposing keeper to give City a slender lead.

    In spite of their fatigue, Chelmsford kept on battling to preserve their one-goal lead, and they held on until the final whistle to secure the victory.

    This was a terrific team performance from City, and it bodes well for what promises to be a tough season in the Eastern Region Women’s Football League.

    Chelmsford City: Jade Parker, Amy Vernon, Emma Wells, Laura Kendle, Jemma Bell, Catherine Hyland, Sharon Brownlie, Lucy Garrett, Shelley Haslam, Emma Ridings, Angelina Hadley, Kerri Binks, Emma Godfrey and Ashleigh Harding.