ESSEX COUNTY WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE

 Sunday 7^th March 2004

 Basildon Town 4 – 9 Chelmsford City

 CHELMSFORD took an early lead through a well worked opening by Emma Ridings who unselfishly laid off the ball for Paula Drane to open the scoring with her 400^th first team goal in City colours.

    Within minutes Basildon found themselves level through some very sloppy defending by Chelmsford.

    City went ahead again when Paula Drane latched onto a long ball played by Kerri Binks and slotted it past the oncoming keeper but, within minutes, Basildon were level.

    Chelmsford then picked up the pace and forced a corner which resulted in Paula Drane volleying the ball to give City the lead.

    A sustained bout of pressure by Chelmsford resulted in two own goals from Basildon.

    After only 25 minutes played and seven goals scored, it was obvious this was going to be a very open game.

    This was shown when Basildon worked a good opening for their striker to score an unstoppable goal from the edge of the area.

    However, this did not deter City who battled on and produced a well taken goal by Paula Drane.

    The second half started well for Basildon with the award of a penalty kick for a reckless challenge but, fortunately for City, the Basildon player saw her penalty sail over the bar.

    Minutes later Basildon were gifted a goal by an error from the City ‘keeper.  Two further goals for City, scored by Shirley Cole and Sharon Brownlie, put the game beyond Basildon.

    Chelmsford did, however, finish the game as they started, with a great piece of individual skill by Emma Ridings who rounded two players before slotting the ball past the Basildon ‘keeper for the ninth and final goal of the game.