Dagenham & Redbridge 4 Chelmsford City 0
Sunday 2nd November 2008, Dagenham & Redbridge FC, Victoria Avenue, Dagenham. Kick Off 2.00pm, Eastern Region Women's League Cup Premier Division.

 

  City suffered their first league defeat of the season in this top of the table clash against the unbeaten league leaders.

 

  The first half saw City start apprehensively and the home side made their intentions clear early on, City’s Claire Pavett produced a fine interception, preventing Daggers prolific striker Sara Sinclaire from scoring. Pavett was on hand again to block another effort before Sinclair had two more chances.

 

  City came back into the game but it was the home side who took the lead and minutes later extended their lead when they capitalised on a mistake to make it 2-0.
 
 City introduced fresh legs in the form of Laura Brown and Emma Wells who raised City but the home team extended their lead further when well worked set piece saw Sinclair’s header power into the net..
 
  The second half saw City superior fitness become evident and Helen Alder was brought on as City looked much better. Jasmine Wheeler went close early on before Emma Ridings and Wells linked up well before going close. Ridings had a good shot saved and Zoe Taylor made use of her pace down the flank. Further efforts from Wheeler and Ridings went aas it increasingly looked to be one of those days for City.

 

 Pavett, City's player of the match, continuously broke up the home sides attacks with her defensive partner, Georgia  Wheate putting in vital tackles. With City committing players forward, Dagenham scored against the run of play with a swift counter-attack, Essex FA Representative striker Nicola Carty netting with a well taken goal.
 
  City Manager Clare Andrews was in reflective mood after commenting ‘We weren't in the game for the first half and it cost us. But we came out for the second with our heads up, and won the second half with the quick passing attacking football that we should have seen in the first, but we just couldn't score. In the last quarter our superior fitness showed but all credit to Daggers who deserved the win’.
 
  Chelmsford City: Parker, Britton, Taylor, Pavett, Wheate, Garrett (Wells), Wheeler, Brownlie (Alder) McLaughlin(Brown), Jolly and Ridings. Sub not used: Vernon