PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

 Sunday 15^th August 2004

Chelmsford City 4 – 1 White Notley

    CHELMSFORD enjoyed a comfortable win in this warm-up game as they raced into a four-goal half-time lead.

    It was City’s international keeper, Carly Waters, who was first in action as early as the third minute; as she was alert to produce a good save.  City’s Sharon Brownlie came close at the other end five minutes later following good work down the right by Shirley Cole.

    In the 25^th Minute, Kerri Binks battled to win possession in the centre of midfield before striker Emma Ridings strode past the last defender to coolly tuck the ball into the bottom corner to give City a deserved lead.

    Both sides battled in the heat for the remainder of the half without converting the chances created until Chelmsford netted three quick goals in a five minute spell just before the break.  On 40 minutes a neat interchange of passes set up Binks who calmly made it 2-0 and four minutes later Paula Thompson crossed into a crowed box where Ridings was on hand to stab the ball home.

    A buoyant City pushed forward again in the final minute, Shirley Cole split the Notley defence open with a superb pass to Binks who cracked a low shot in to the net with virtually the last kick of the half.

    The second half saw City slow the play down as they looked to preserve their lead, with Notley pushing forward, but the latter could not find their way past an in-form Waters in the City goal who produced a number of good stops.

    It took until the 85^th minute when Notley pulled a goal back with a speculative long-range effort which found the bottom corner.

    Manager Vanessa Smith was pleased with the result and performance but knows sterner tests are ahead as City open their Eastern Region Division One East fixtures with a home game against Fakenham & Aylsham Town on Sunday 29^th August 2004