Little Thurrock Dynamos 6 Chelmsford City 1
Sunday 24^th January 2009 at Loft Hall, Orsett. Kick Off 12.00pm, Essex County Girls League Under-13 Division.

  Despite the winning margin the City girls can be very proud of their display against a strong and talented LTD side on Sunday afternoon. The hosts are renowned for scoring a hatful of goals but superb defending and safe goalkeeping kept the scoreline to reasonable proportions.

  The young Clarets did however fall behind on nine minutes before exerting a bit of pressure themselves. But two well-taken goals in quick succession around the half-hour mark put paid to any realistic chances of an away victory. Christie Lucking in the City goal ‘enjoyed’ her busiest game of the season to date and was beaten again eight minutes into the second-half. Far from being deflated, they reduced the deficit three minutes later when ‘Girl of the Match’ Jennifer Baldock, who switched from defence to attack at the interval, battled through to crack the ball into the back of the net. LTD then underlined their authority with another couple of quick-fire goals.

  City finished very strongly though and it was the turn of the LTD ‘keeper to shine, firstly denying Olivia Robinson and then pulling off a stunning one-handed save to push away Laura Massey’s top corner-bound shot.

Chelmsford City: Christie Lucking, Leanne Miles, Ellie Annan, Hannah Tomsett, Olivia Robinson, Emily Kendle, Amy Clark, Laura Massey, Jennifer Baldock, Sophie Dorrington, Ailish Hunt, Karina Fox, Gemma Plank.

Goalscorer: Jennifer Baldock.
Referee: Daniel Foord  (Orsett).
  Despite losing three successive tough games (spread over a long time!) the under-13s continue to improve, and enjoy themselves at the same time. The have a terrific team spirit and this was underlined on Sunday when they played the all-conquering LTD in the mud and rain, and gave a brilliant account of themselves. Their attitude was spot-on and really we deserved much more than the one goal we did score. Christie Lucking in goal was a revelation (as usual!) and all those around her battled throughout, so all bodes well for these Claret starlets!

Match Report by Steve Dorrington