Friendly

 Sunday 17^th August 2003

 Chelmsford City 5 – 3 Barking

A NEW look City side starred in Sunday’s morale boosting friendly against a strong Barking team who gained National League experience last season.

   City fell behind on 13 minutes buy then created numerous chances of their own.

    New signing Paula Drane, back at her old club, was partnering Emma Ridings up front but they were continuously denied by Barking’s young goalkeeper, Sarah Ball.

    On 40 minutes, Ridings skilfully beat a defender before finding Drane in front of goal.

    Well marshalled by two defenders she intelligently laid the ball back to Shirley Cole who struck an unstoppable shot home for the equaliser.

   After the break, City’s youngsters continued to impress with Kerri Binks outstanding in the midfield while Helen Alder and Emma Wells caused problems for the stretched Barking Defence.

   Ridings put City in front on 48 minutes and Drane latched onto a Binks’ header to make it 3 – 1 two minutes later.

  Barking pulled a goal back in the 61^st minute but a sweetly struck free kick from Drane restored City’s two goal advantage in the 70^th minute.

    With the heat sapping both sides’ energy, Barking’s experience saw them reduce the arrears in the 83^rd minute but on 90 minutes, Shelley Haslam netted her debut goal for the seniors.

    Drane found herself through on goal before unselfishly squaring the ball to Haslam, who side footed it home from close range.

    Chelmsford City: Clare Pearson, Elizabeth Marshall, Amy Vernon, Gamma Bell, Emma Ridings, Paula Thompson, Kerri Binks, Shirley Cole, Sharon Brownlie, Paula Drane, Emma Wells, Helen Alder and Shelley Haslam.