Chelmsford City 1 West Ham United 4
Sunday 19^th October 2008, Marconi Leisure, Chelmsford. Kick Off 1.30pm, Essex County FA Women’s Challenge Cup

Round 1.
 
  Chelmsford City Ladies can be proud of their efforts but eventually bowed out of this years County Cup against opponents who compete two steps higher in the Women’s Pyramid.

  The game had a lively opening with West Ham having an early shot go wide while at the other end, City’s Jasmine  Wheeler had a powerful shot saved. City keeper Jade Parker had to be alert to make a crucial save before a link up between Amy Vernon and Emma Ridings saw the West Ham custodian do the same.

 The visitors took a slightly fortuitous lead when Hammers striker Lynsey Morgan took a chance which caught in the wind and looped over Parker and into the net.

  Both teams created chances but it was West Ham who began to dominate the game and went further ahead, netting a well deserved second goal.

  City, continued to try and play their passing football and were rewarded when Clare Pavett was brought down just outside the box. She got up to send a rasping free kick into the area where Michelle Davis diverted the ball past the keeper to the delight of the large crowd. Both teams had further chances before the break, Davis, Wheeler and Garrett denied by the keeper Hammers keeper while West ham were also denied by the quick feet of Parker and also rattled the City crossbar with another effort.
   The start of the second half saw West Ham denied a goal when a powerful header was well saved by Parker who also tipped a cracking effort over the bar. West Ham continued to dominate and were rewarded when a City player was adjudged to have handle the ball in the area and ex-City junior player Sam Pittuck netted the resultant penalty.

  Parker and Wheate blocked efforts on goal before she was brought down by a reckless and unnecessary challenge. Fresh legs were introduced by City as Grainne McLaughlin made her first team debut causing problems for the Hammers defence with her continuous running, not allowing their players time to settle on the ball.

  The last 15 minutes saw City have efforts from Pavett, Wheeler, Jolly and Ridings go close as City threw everything forward and were unlucky not to have have levelled.

  In time added on, West Ham capitalised on Cit pushing bodies forward and made the game safe, grabbing a fourth goal to seal the tie but full credit must go to the way City pushed their National eague opponents all the way which gained praise from the West Ham Management after the game.
  Chelmsford City: Parker, Wells, Wheate, Pavett, Vernon (Britton), Davis (Brown), Brownlie (Mclaughlin), Wheeler, Garrett, Ridings and Jolly.

Goalscorer: Michelle Davis

Player of the Match: Jade Parker

Referee: Keith Ashley (Chelmsford)