Chelmsford City 5 Cambridge University 2

Sunday 12th October 2008, Marconi Leisure, West Hanningfield Road. Kick Off 2.00pm. Eastern Region Women's League Premier Division.

 

  City made hard work of this win but eventually overcame stubborn opposition with a powerful second half display to move level on points at the top of the table. 


  City started slowly and an early Cambridge ball forward was not dealt with and the away team capitalised with a very well taken goal to take the lead. City slowly began to settle and Helen Alder had a shot which went wide before Emma Ridings had a well struck shot saved. A goalmouth scramble following a City corner saw Lucy Garrett followed up, but her powerful shot was saved by the quick reacting keeper.

  Ridings and Garrett both had further efforts go wide and Clare Pavett saw her powerful header fly inches over the bar. Sarah Jolly had two fine efforts go close as City pushed forward but got caught on the couter-attack as the away team scored a second goal, much against the run of play.

  As Cambridge continued to throw every player behind the ball City’s perseverance paid off as the quick pace of Jolly saw her follow up on a Garrett shot to hammer the ball home.
 
  The second half saw  City raise their game further, Ridings’ speed and trickery was looking a dangerous threat all afternoon. She latched on a to a Garrett cross but her shot inches over and Zoe Taylor also went close. The keeper did well to hold onto a Sharon Brownlie shot before a good link up between Wheate, Vernon saw Ridings drill the ball home to level the scores.

  The away side continued to battle and City's keeper Topper was quick to intercept the ball to deny the away team before City introduced fresh legs in the shape of Jasmine Wheeler, Emma Wells and Tara Britton. They made an immediate impact with Ridings cross finding Wells who's first touch of the game rattled the back of the net to give City the lead.

  Wheeler was next in the action having her shot saved by the keeper, but Wells pounced on the loose ball to and smash it home to extend City’s lead. The away side gave city a scare with a shot hitting the post and then a long range effort being saved well by Topper.
   Further efforts at he other end went close for City and they made the result safe after Wheeler got through the defence. Her shot was half saved by the keeper and Jolly was quick to react and place it into he goal for her second of the afternoon.

  Cambridge were denied near the end but Wheeler and Wells made vital clearances off the line before they again hit the post but City had done enough to maintain their winning start to the season.

  Chelmsford City: Topper, Taylor, Wheate, Pavett, Vernon (Britton), Davis, Brownlie, Alder (Wells), Garrett (Wheeler) Ridings, Jolly.
 
Goalsscorers: Sarah Jolly 2, Emma Wells 2 and Emma Ridings 1

 

City Player of the Match: Emma Ridings

Referee: Paul Falvey (Hockley)