Haringey Borough 2 Chelmsford City 3
Thursday 23rd October 2008,
Haringey Borough FC, Coles Park, White Hart Lane, Tottenham. Kick Off 8.00pm,
Eastern Region Women's League Premier Division.
A goal within the first minute and a double strike from Sarah Jolly, set City Ladies on their way to an important win on Thursday evening at White Hart Lane.
Within 40 seconds, Lucy Garrett floated a free kick into the Haringey box which found Jasmine Wheeler who hammered the ball into the back of the net to give City the perfect start.
Haringey started to settle down and City’s keeper Leanne Topper was quick of her line to deny the home side an equaliser. At the other end, Lucy Garrett sent a teasing corner into the box but Claire Pavett's effort was cleared by a packed defence.
Play switched from end to end and Garrett's was tormenting the home defence with her quality balls forward and had another effort well caught by the keeper. Haringey pushed forward, looking for the equaliser which was being exploited by City’s swift counter-attacks. This was the case when City went further ahead after Pavett earned herself a free kick after being fouled. Garrett's free kick struck the crossbar and Sarah Jolly followed up to slot home City's second.
City had further efforts from Jolly, Wheeler and the influential Michelle Davis go close as City enjoyed a spell of pressure but it was the home side who capitalised and pulled a goal back just before half time.
The second half saw Haringey start the stronger and they drew level when
capitalising on a rare City mistake, Topper got down well to make a good stop
but a prowling striker was first to react and prod the ball home. Haringey threw
everything they had at City who at to defend for periods but found Topper alert
on occasions.
City, to their credit, had chances at the other end, one such chance saw Pavett's fire over and was involved again moments later but her free kick went inches wide.
The home side continued to pile on the pressure and looked the most likely victors but it was City who snatched victory with the winner after Sharon Brownlie’s header found Wheeler. She held the ball up well before crossing to Jolly who fired a the ball home for her second of the game.
Emma Ridings had a great chance to make the game safe in the dying minutes from another Garrett free kick but the kepper got back well to claim her attempted lob but City had done enough to maintain their great start to the season.