Essex County Women’s Football League

Division One

 Sunday 21^st September 2003

 Chelmsford City 4 – 0 Basildon United

 CITY took the lead after just 30 seconds when Emma Ridings nipped in to beat the goalkeeper to a Paula Drane cross.

    Helen Alder volleyed a deep corner wide and Drane had a shot cleared off the line, but these were the only highlights of what had been a dour first half.

    Two minutes into the second half, Lucy Garrett and Ridings combined to set up Drane who turned her marker before netting with a powerful shot.

    Kerri Binks had a stringing header cleared off the line on 70 minutes and Drane then saw her well struck free kick cannon off the crossbar.

    City extended their lead with 15 minutes remaining after Gemma Bell set up Ridings who powered the ball home.

    Basildon found it hard to create many chances and when they did get through, City goalkeeper Clare Pearson was off her line quickly to clear the danger.

    Drane went close to scoring again but her shot from the edge of the box rattled the bar and the result was secured with Emma Ridings completing her hat-trick.  Her initial effort was blocked by the keeper but Ridings reacted to head the rebound into the net.

Chelmsford City: Pearson, Marshall, Bell, Alder, Brownlie, Binks, Wells (Madlin), Garrett, Drane, Ridings and Vernon.

Unused Substitute: Smith.