FA Women’s Cup First Qualifying Round

 Sunday 7^th September 2003

 Chelmsford City 5 – 6 Caversham

 CITY took a second-minute lead when a defender deflected a rebound off the goalkeeper’s out-stretched leg from Emma Ridings shot into her own net.

    Ridings made it 2 – 0 on 7 minutes but Caversham pulled a goal back through their nippy striker, Tina Leahy.

    Ridings regained City’s two-goal advantage in the 12^th minute, firing a close range shot into the roof of the net.

    Six minutes later, Paula Drane curled a delightful shot into the net following good work by Shirley Cole for City’s fourth goal, and it was close to becoming five when Drane’s follow up shot from an initial Ridings effort rattled the upright.

    City were playing well against their higher league opponents but were rocked minutes before the break as the visitors netted three quick goals to level the scores.

    Both sides continued to serve up an attacking football feast after the break with City going close through Sharon Brownlie and Drane.

    Caversham took the lead through one of their swift counter-attacks after 52 minutes through Leahy.

    City’s perseverance paid off in the 80^th minute courtesy of a sweet volley from Drane but five minutes later, they fell behind to a solo effort from Leahy who capitalised on a slip by a City defender to score.

    This see-saw game nearly had another chapter in injury time when City’s Natalie Madlin broke through buy saw her lob over the goalkeeper strike the crossbar and Drane’s follow up shot flashed across the face of the goal and inches wide of the far post.

    City can be proud of their effort and performance in showing they can more than match higher league opponents on the day.

     Chelmsford City: Pearson, Marshall, Bell (Madlin), Thompson (Smith), Brownlie, Binks, Wells, Cole, Drane, Ridings and Garrett.