Friendly

Sunday 1^st September 2002

Chelmsford City 5 – 0 Brentwood Town

Sunday’s pre-season friendly saw Chelmsford play host to Essex County League newcomers Brentwood Town at Barnston.

After a delayed start, Chelmsford, with a number of players unavailable due to holidays, took time getting into their stride.

The game very soon became a midfield battle with early season errors being seen from both sides.

Chelmsford had the best of the opening chances on goal, but inaccurate shooting led to numerous goalscoring efforts being squandered by City.

It was not until the 35^th minute before City deservedly opened the scoring when a fine through ball delivered by the influential feet of midfielder Claire Hunt was picked up by striker Emma Ridings.  Her run on goal was halted when she was felled by a Brentwood defender with Hunt striking the resulting free kick home.

City netted their second goal just before the break when Ridings latched onto a through ball to this time calmly slot the ball past the oncoming Brentwood keeper.

The second half saw a much more professional display from Chelmsford with the scoreline being bettered by a further three goals.

Two of the strikes came from the feet of the now increasingly confident Ridings, who netted her first hat-trick of the season with the final goal coming on the turn from the influential Lisa Foakes.

Overall this was a good opening run-out for Chelmsford who gave the manager much to be pleased about.

Their passing was at times of top quality and they fully deserved the victory.

Chelmsford Team: Pearson, Clout, Bell, Thompson, Terrell, Brownlie, Hunt, Chase, Foakes, Manns, Ridings, Cornell and Metson.