Essex narrowly missed out on East Anglian Counties Women's Championship glory despite defeating Norfolk 2-1 at a rain-drenched Broad Lane, Nicola Carty and Lynsey Bowman netting the winning goals on the night.

Essex were narrowly edged-out on winning the title when Suffolk failed to recover a two-goal deficit against Cambridgeshire elsewhere but Essex can feel proud having completed the season with four victories and two draws and were the only county to take a point off of the champions.

Although Nicola Carty had an early effort saved by Norfolk goalkeeper Emma Fletcher, it was the visitors who created most of the early chances. Jemma Smythe's left-wing cross had to be palmed off the head of Gemma Farman by Michelle Bridgeman whilst Laken Duchar-Clark watched anxiously as her skimming header from another Smythe centre fizzed past her own post.

On the whole, the back-line of Duchar-Clark, Olivia Worsfold and Antonia Vassallo held firm in front of Bridgeman, and Essex reaped the rewards with a stunning counter-attacking goal. Laura Brown slid-in bravely to win the ball in midfield and Zoe Rushen threaded Carty in behind the defence. The Dagenham & Redbridge forward spotted Fletcher off of her line and crafted a lob into the corner of the goal.

Rushen was involved in front of her own net, nodding Smythe's header off of the goal-line, whilst at the other end Lynsey Bowman was unfortunate to see her swerving shot shepherded onto the outside of the left-hand upright by Fletcher.

Despite Norfolk holding the territorial advantage, and Smythe powering another aerial effort just wide, Essex asked plenty of questions on the break, with Brown seeing a shot deflected over and then touching the ball wide of the post, Fletcher narrowing the angle.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Norfolk deservedly equalised. Bridgeman failed to claim Nicola Stolworthy's corner, and Kate Parsons and Nicola Bray both attempted to stab in, with the latter getting the decisive touch.

In torrential rain, Essex proceeded to dominate the second half, although they were made to wait for their winner. Chelmsford City striker Brown was denied in the opening seconds when Fletcher made an excellent block, before Carty's strong shot was also kept out by the Norwich City blocker.

Carty believed she had added her second of the evening when she stooped cleverly to nod in Rushen's cross, but the effort was ruled out for offside. However, the same short corner routine proved effective at the mid-way point of the half when Bowman scored in spectacular fashion. Having been worked into a shooting position on the right-hand edge of the penalty area by substitute Jemma Beard, the Braintree Town winger whipped a curled effort just inside the far post.

Bowman could have scored a third for the County when Brown's intelligent reverse pass set her free on the left, but a disappointing shot dribbled across the face of goal. Despite some nervous moments - Parsons headed wide and also sent a hopeful punt into Bridgeman's gloves - Essex held-on in torrid conditions to claim victory.

Essex: Michelle Bridgeman (Dagenham & Redbridge), Kerri Binks (Chelmsford City [Jemma Beard (West Ham United), 46]), Antonia Vassallo (West Bergholt), Marie Barker (Billericay), Olivia Worsfold (Brentwood Town), Laken Duchar-Clark (Braintree Town), Lynsey Bowman (Braintree Town [Emma Wells (Chelmsford City), 90+1]), Nicole Manning (Dagenham & Redbridge [Carla Dickinson (Braintree Town), 79]), Nicola Carty (Dagenham & Redbridge), Zoe Rushen (Braintree Town), Laura Brown (Chelmsford City). Unused Substitutes: Kiran Hare (Colchester United) and Hollie Dimambro (Thurrock & Tilbury).

Norfolk: Emma Fletcher (Norwich City), Luka Goodfield (Norwich City), Jodie Allard (Hethersett Athletic), Kate Parsons (Norwich City), Logan Shepherd (Hethersett Athletic), Gemma Farman (Norwich City [Emily Lewin (Norwich City), 75]), Nicola Stolworthy (Hethersett Athletic), Jemma Smythe (Hethersett Athletic), Nicola Bray (Hethersett Athletic [Fran Lambert (Norwich City), 83]), Sophie Fuller (Hethersett Athletic [Jemma Thurtle (Norwich City), 69]), Emily Coates (Hethersett Athletic)

Chelmsford City Ladies FC players, Kerri Binks, Laura Brown and Leanne Topper were on show during Essex Womens Representative teams victory on Thursday evening (3rd April) against reigning Champions Suffolk.

Kerri Binks starred in a holding midfield road and looked solid throughout, netting the all important second Essex goal with a flicked header which flew in via the underside of the bar. Laura Brown came off the bench to star up front while City's keeper Leanne Topper came off the bench halfway through the second half to put in a commanding performance in goal for Suffolk.

First half strikes from Nicola Carty (Dagenham & Redbridge) and Chelmsford City's Kerri Binks see Essex go in two goals ahead at half time. Suffolk pulled a goal back with 4 mins of normal time remaining and Essex held on for another 4 mins of time added on to record a memorable win.

Essex now entertain Norfolk on April 29th at Wivenhoe Town FC kick off 7.45pm. If Essex beat Norfolk and Suffolk beat Cambs on the same night, Essex will be crowned Champions.

Chelmsford City Men's Team went down to a solitary goal in their Essex County Cup Final at Roots Hall last night. In front of over 1,624 City fans, which included a large contingent of Chelmsford City Womens & Girls FC players, Committee members and family, City pushed their full time opponents all the way. At the end, the City players and Management team gained a well earned standing ovation from the travelling Claret Army of Fans.

Full report below:
Chelmsford City 0-1 Southend United, Tuesday 1st April 2008, Roots Hall, Kick-Off 7:45pm, FansFocus.Com Essex Senior Cup Final.

Zoltan Liptak’s solitary first-half tap-in was the slender margin which etched Southend United’s name on this season’s Essex Senior Cup, but Clarets Head Coach Glenn Pennyfather claimed: “We were the better side for much of the game.”

City succumbed to a narrow defeat against a Shrimpers side with plenty of First Team players in their starting eleven and Liptak’s 27th-minute effort punished them for numerous missed opportunities throughout the game. Glenn continued: “We dominated the second half. Some good chances came our way early in the first half and all the way through the second but overall it was another good performance.”

Off the pitch, an impressive attendance of 2,995 was present to see the game, including 1,624 who made the journey from Chelmsford, and Glenn intimated this helped to act as the metaphorical ‘twelfth man’: “Our support was incredible and it was the talk of the changing room after the match, with everyone talking about it. We just have to replicate that at more of our home games now and I’m pleased Staines did win tonight so we have the chance to win the League back at our place.”

United were not at full Coca-Cola League One strength by any means, though City had players of their own missing as right-back Steven Clark and central midfielder Ollie Berquez sat out due to being ineligible. Mario Noto and Stuart Ainsley were therefore drafted into the midfield as Dean Palmer moved back to cover Clark. Kezie Ibe was also preferred to Bertie Brayley as the lone striker. “Southend are obviously a full-time outfit and they were sharper and quicker than us, as well as having greater fitness,” Pennyfather continued. “Most of the players on the pitch had First Team experience as well.”

The match began with a flurry of half-chances at each end as Noto drilled over from the edge of the area for City while goalkeeper Steven Collis also had to rush out to make a vital intervention within the opening 5 minutes. Southend caused trouble of their own elsewhere with a half-volleyed effort that ultimately didn’t trouble Chelmsford’s own custodian, former Blues stopper Danny Gay.

Chelmsford quickly suffered a blow, however, when a charge down the right by Palmer resulted in a muscle pull which meant he had to be replaced after just 10 minutes by Spencer Knight. This meant a shuffling of the pack in defence but the 12th minute still saw Ricky Holmes snatch the ball after a defensive slip before Collis blocked once more.

United’s passing and movement was slick and becoming of a talented side gunning for places in Steve Tilson’s promotion push. Nevertheless, on 25 minutes, Matt Harrold found himself bearing down on goal but he was only able to stroke the ball harmlessly wide of the target.

However, they were able to break the deadlock two minutes later. A succession of corner-kicks for the hosts led to Gay making a reflex double-save although he wasn’t able to do anything about Liptak’s eventual shot, the defender picking-up the pieces in the penalty box to give the home team the lead.

City’s response prior to half time was condensed mostly into the approach to the half-hour mark when Noto constructed a pair of strikes from the edge of the penalty box in quick succession to no avail then Holmes ran through towards goal but the ball ran away from him at the vital time.

Holmes was involved again for the first opportunity of the second half, forging down the right-hand side but opting to shoot when a cross was perhaps the better option. The Clarets weren’t the only team capable of a quick break, though, as a speedy counter from the hosts resulted in Charlie MacDonald striking low and dangerously across the face of goal.

Chelmsford had certainly upped the ante after the interval and were enjoying enhanced possession and territory. On a number of occasions forward runs came to a premature end as the final ball into the box was missing apart from when impressive substitute Knight overlapped and supplied some quality from the left.

The natural interest of the Clarets going forward left more space in defence for the Shrimpers to exploit and they almost did just that fifteen minutes from the end, former Braintree Town forward Alex Revell picking-out the head of MacDonald in the box but his diversion turned the ball over the bar.

With ten minutes remaining City amended their formation in a positive way to introduce Brayley from the bench and, within five minutes of entering the fray, a trademark Knight delivery was swung into the danger zone and the striker headed at goal but couldn’t achieve the required power.

Southend defended their goal furiously as time ticked away and were able to keep possession to the extent that they saw-out time, bringing to an end the brave challenge from visiting City yet Jeff King and his players and staff received a warm ovation after the match regardless. Staines’ victory at East Thurrock United meant the evening wasn’t a championship-winning one either, but the splendid support from the Clarets faithful was never in doubt.

City:
1 Danny Gay
2 Dean Palmer
3 Chris Duffy
4 Andy Duncan (C)
5 Steve Ward
6 Mario Noto
7 Stuart Ainsley
8 Jeff Minton
9 James Lawson
10 Kezie Ibe
11 Ricky Holmes
12 Bertie Brayley (On for Ainsley, 80)
14 Jason Hallett
15 Spencer Knight (On for Palmer, 10)
16 Lee Protheroe
17 Ashley Harrison (GK)
Southend United: Steven Collis, Anthony Grant, Johnny Herd, Lewis Hunt, Zoltan Liptak, Franck Moussa, Alex Revell, Peggy Lokando, Matt Harrold, Charlie MacDonald, Charles Ademeno. Unused Substitutes: Jamie Forshaw, Nathan McDonald, Luke Thurlbourne, Stuart O’Keefe, David Obaze.

Bookings: City: Holmes (45, unsporting behaviour). Southend: Lokando (50, foul).
Referee: Nicholas Kinseley (Wickford).
Assistant Referees: Neil West (Leigh-on-Sea) and Peter Wilson (Chelmsford).
Fourth Official: Matt Stewart (Harwich).
Attendance: 2,995 (1,624 from Chelmsford).
City Man of the Match: Stuart Ainsley.

Essex remain unbeaten this season after a narrow 2-1 win at Letchworth last night. A Herts goal midway through the first half was cancelled almost immediately by an equaliser from Saffron Walden Town's Andrea Wright.

Essex winning goal came halfway through the second half when Chelmsford City's Laura Brown came off the bench to score with her first touch. Essex may have won by more but also had an effort cleared off the line and also struck the upright.

Essex County FA are proud to announce their very first 9 week adult female football beginners course which kicks off in Romford on Tuesday 5^th February. The course will be tutored by an all female team of coaches and will look to give new or existing players a ‘kick start’ into the beautiful game. The weekly one hour sessions will include fun and simple drills which will incorporate all the necessary skills you will need to play football. All sessions will be performed in a friendly and relaxed indoor environment and all participants need is comfortable footwear and plentiful refreshments. Drills and exercises will be aimed at complete beginners therefore this course would be suitable for new players, inexperienced players looking for extra practice and those just wanting to try something new and get fit. Details are as follows:

Further session dates – Tue 19^th, 26^th Feb, 4^th,11^th,18^th,25^th Mar & 15^th, 22^nd Apr.

Girls & Women’s Football Development Officer Sharon Brownlie – This is our very first female adult football project to take place within the London Boroughs of Essex and I hope that it is going to be a huge success. The sessions are flexible and fun and will hopefully give those that are new to the game a great insight as well as the passion to possibly take things further and join a team.

If you would like to book your place on this course or would like to receive further information please contact Sharon Brownlie on 01245 393074 or email Sharon.brownlie@essexfa.com.

England make Swiss roll

England 10-1 Switzerland
World Deaf Futsal Championship
Sofia, Bulgaria
Wednesday 14 November 2007

Lisa Nepean scored a hat-trick as England moved into the Quarter Finals following a 10-1 demolition of Switzerland.

With three wins and a walkover victory banked before Wednesday's game, England needed to continue their perfect run to ensure they finished as group winners.

The Three Lions started well and were the width of the post away from taking a third minute lead when Esther Maycock struck the upright.

But Julie Callaghan's side did not have to wait long for their opening goal which arrived three minutes later when Jess Everhurst tucked in a rebound after Maycock's shot was saved.

The lead was doubled within 60 seconds, Cath Eyley firing home from 15 yards after a clever one-two with Everhurst.

Nepean scored the first of her treble in the ninth minute after Annie Straw's looping pass caused chaos in the Swiss ranks.

Straw then got in on the act moments later as the roles were reversed, her header from Nepean's corner putting England 4-0 up.

The avalanche of goals kept coming with Everhurst adding a fifth a minute later.

Nepean then converted a rebound after Maycock's shot was spilled as England pressed hard on the accelerator. Laura Wiseman then cracked home as England reached a magnificent seven, but they were not content with single figures.

Sarah Page continued the rout with a deflected strike from distance before Lydia Docker made it 9-0 following a smart return pass from Wiseman.

It was unlikely England would be able to match their efforts after the break but in scoring their tenth goal on 32 minutes they became the first side to hit double figures in the tournament. It was Nepean who grabbed the goal, sliding a shot under the keeper to complete her hat-trick.

England conceded their first goal of the tournament a minute later but The Three Lions responded with Maycock hitting the post three times before the final whistle.

England face Denmark on Thursday - log on to TheFA.com for a full report.

Cambridgeshire FA 1-1 Essex FA, Thursday 4^th October 2007, Soham Town Rangers FC, Kick-Off 7:45pm, East Anglian Counties Women’s Championship

Report by Mark Wallis

Essex Women’s side are off to a solid start to the new East Anglian Counties campaign as a first half header from defender Vanessa Wilson helped earn a point for new boss Kim Coster against Cambridgeshire.

“We’ve come along way from last year” said boss Coster after the clash at Soham Town Rangers. “I’m very pleased for the girls and they’ve done themselves proud tonight. There were maybe a few early nerves, but when we settled we were excellent.”

“Maybe we could have gone on to win. We were caught offside a few times in the second half and we could have gone two-up. We were all a little disappointed to concede in the final 15 minutes, it would have been nice to hold on but I’m very pleased with the result.”

Indeed, Essex where required to soak up much early pressure from their hosts as the County looked to find their feet early on.

The first opportunity arrived on three minutes when Cambs’ Jodie Lapish drove over crossbar from the edge of the area before Michelle Bridgeman did well to cling onto Alison Wright’s low shot.

Kayleigh Currie picked-up a loose ball for the home side from a Sophis Piotrowska corner and Kerri Binks was called upon to hack the ball off the goalline.

Dagenham & Redbridge shot-stopper Bridgeman then did well to twice block at the feet Piotrowska before Essex calmed any jitters by taking a 27^th minute lead. A perfectly delivered Lianne Prior corner powered home by the head of Billericay’s Wilson.

Essex could have doubled their led in similar fashion seven minutes before the break, this time Prior’s flag kick was bundled goalward by Wilson, but Cambs ‘keeper Verity Crook eventually managed to gather the ball.

The second period saw Essex make all the early running, but the best chance fell to Prior who’s angled shot brought a fine stop from Crook after Zoe Rushen had created the opportunity.

Slightly against the run of play Cambs grabbed a leveller on 78 minutes, Naomi Lyon sliding home a low shot from 15 yards.

Undeterred, though, Essex continued to create chances and Prior stabbed a Marie Barker free kick just off target at the far post before, in stoppage time, Prior curled a 20 yard free kick inches wide of the upright.

Essex eventually settling for a draw, but content with a fine performance and a strong base for the new campaign.

Cambridgeshire: Verity Crook, Ruth Goddden (Nadine Sillence 73), Nicola Geoghan, Jordan Holland, Victoria Neal, Kayleigh Currie, Alison Wright, Jodie Lapish, Sophia Piotrowska, Naomi Lyon, Alice Kempski. Unused Substitutes: Kathy Edwards, Rebecca Sawink.

Essex: Michelle Bridgeman (Dagenham & Redbridge), Kerri Binks (Chelmsford City), Antonia Vassallo (West Bergholt), Marie Barker (Billericay), Olivia Worsdold (Brentwood Town), Michelle Davis (Chelmsford City) (Nicole Manning 48 [Dagenham & Redbridge]), Lianne Prior (Barking), Nicola Carty (Dagenham & Redbridge) (Emma Ridings 72 [Chelmsford City]), Zoe Rushen (Braintree Town), Andrea Wright (Saffron Walden Town) (Kiran Hare 88 [Colchester United]). Unused Substitutes: Sian Jenkins (West Ham United), Laken Duchar-Clark (Braintree Town).

Referee: Peter Howard (Cambridge)

Assistant Referees: Alan Davies (Cambridge) and Tom Blackburne-Maze (Cambridge).