EASTERN REGION WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE EAST

 Sunday 12^th September 2004

 Chelmsford City 5 – 2 Mulbarton Belles

     CHELMSFORD City followed on from the previous weeks confidence boosting FA Cup victory to record their first league wins of the season against their Norfolk based opponents.

    Within two minutes of the start Kerri Binks crossed to her strike partner; Emma Ridings, who turned her marker before shooting a low shot into the net.

    City’s lead only lasted four minutes after a Mulbarton striker struck home an unstoppable shot from 25 yards out.

    The home side stepped up a gear and bombarded the Mulbarton goal with a number of shots only to see efforts strike the woodwork, blocked by defenders or saved.

    City’s pace up front was always a problem for Mulbarton but despite the domination, the scoreline remained 1-1 at the break.

    Within a few minutes of the restart, Ridings ran at the Mulbarton defence before providing a pass to Binks who duly dispatched a shot into the net to restore City’s lead.

    On 62 minutes, right back Paula Thompson surged forward, combined with Shirley Cole, Emma Wells and Lucy Garrett with a series of one-two’s only to see her final shot brilliantly saved by the keeper.

    Five minutes later, City got a third goal when Garrett played a good ball in which Ridings calmly controlled and slotted home.

    City goalkeeper, Carly Waters, pulled off an excellent double save before the visitors pulled a goal back on 80 minutes.

    Almost straight from the restart at the other end, City’s Shirley Cole saw Mulbarton keeper save her effort well following a jinxing run.

    City’s all round fitness again proved decisive during the closing stages as firstly, Kerri Binks made it 4-2 on 82 minutes, before completing her hat-trick in the 89^th minute with a powerful strike.

CHELMSFORD CITY: Waters, Marshall, Thompson, Harman (Vernon), Bell, Wells, Brownlie, Cole Binks, Ridings and Garrett.