Southend United 4 Chelmsford City 7

Sunday 18^th January 1009, Eastwoodbury Lane, Southend. Essex county Women's League Division Two.

  City returned back to second place in the table after this entertaining eleven goal thriller which saw Ashleigh Harding grab a hat-trick.

  Both teams tried to play passing football on a tricky surface and in difficult conditions. Not much could divide the two teams regarding goals scored during the first half although City did have the better of the possession and created a number of chances. At the half time break, City led 4-2 through strikes by Grainne McLaughlin, Ashleigh Harding, Angela Holden and an own goal.

  The second half saw Southend pull another goal back before Harding restored City’s two goal cushion. The home side again breached the City defence but two more strikes from Harding and then McLaughlin sealed the points for the Clarets.

  On another day, the number of missed chances would have been put away by City but the Southend keeper should take credit for a number of outstanding saves.

  Chelmsford City: Pearson, Arkell, Clarke, Brett, McLaughlin, Britton, Barnard, Magner, MacIness, Harding and Holden (Waters).

Player of the Match: Grainne McLaughlin
Referee: Kevin Curran (Westcliff-on-Sea)