Essex County Girls Football League

Under 16 League Cup Semi-Final

CHELMSFORD CITY 4 MALDON TOWN 3 (after extra time) 

With the Senior First Team having their County Cup Final called off due to the weather, all attention turned to the Chelmsford City Under 16 side who were looking to avenge the previous Sundays narrow loss to today’s opponents.

The conditions were appalling with a very strong wind and driving rain which soon saw the pitch turn very muddy. Maldon opened the scoring after 5 mins following a City free kick which saw the ball break loose to a Maldon player and a swift counter-attack saw a Town striker run through, round the keeper to score.

On 12 mins Maldon had extended their lead with a goal after the ball had held up in the muddy conditions and the ball eventually creeping over the line

City kept to the task and this paid dividends just before the break with two quick goals from Alice MacIness. The first saw an inswinging corner by Tara Britton which saw MacIness nip in to head home at the near post and this was followed up by a shot from the edge of the area which skimmed off the surface and under the keepers diving body for City’s equaliser.

City took the lead 2 minutes in to the second half with a left foot strike from just inside the area from Britton after she had done well to evade two defenders.

Both teams were battling well, playing good passing football in the testing conditions and City were holding slightly the upper hand and looking to hold on. With 4 minutes left, Maldon won a free kick on the edge of the City box which was struck home into the top right hand corner giving Leanne Patten in the City goal no chance.

Both teams continued to create half chances and it was City who looked to have scored in the early stages of extra time but saw the ball cleared off the line by a Maldon defender.

The second period of extra time saw the game ebb and flow from end to end and with less than four minutes left on the clock, City netted the all important winning goal. Another of Britton’s teasing inswinging corners caused confusion in the Town box and Letitia Cleary took advantage to stab the ball home from 6 yards.

Neither side deserved to lose this absorbing encounter which was a credit to girls football and while City now look forward to a Cup Final date with West Ham Utd on Sunday May 18^th, credit must go to Maldon who performed magnificently in the conditions.

Chelmsford City: Leanne Patten, Nikki Bailey, Claire Austin, Celia Catchpole, Jessica Peters, Helena Golding, Hannah Magner, Alice MacIness, Danni Taylor, Tara Britton, Letitia Cleary, Samantha Berry

Under 16 Division Spring Plate: 

Maldon Town 3 Chelmsford City 2

In a prelude to next Sunday’s Cup semi-final, both sides served up an entertaining game of football on Sunday. The match was switched to City’s ground and it was Maldon who took an early lead but City came back to draw level before the break, Sam Berry on hand to turn the ball into the net following a cross from the right.

After the break, both teams continued to play skilful, passing football and it was Town who took the lead after the ball looped up and over the stretching City keeper.

City drew level again after Helena Golding showed brilliance down the right and her low ball across the face of goal was converted into her own net by a Maldon player. Neither side deserved to lose on the skill shown by both sides but it was Maldon who netted a last minute goal when another looping effort dropped in at the far post to clinch victory for Town.

This Sunday, the two teams meet again in the League Cup semi-final at Marconi Leisure, West Hanningfield Road kick off to be confirmed.

Leigh Rockets 0 Chelmsford City 2

Under 16 League Cup Quarter Final

Barking 3 Chelmsford City 4

With the game looking lost, a superb late comeback by City ensured they take their place in the semi final. In an explosive start to the game, City took a 2^nd minute lead when Letitia Cleary spotted the keeper off her line and unleashed a shot shot from outside the area which went over the keeper and into the net but within a minute, the home side had levelled with a carbon copy goal.

On 25 mins Barking took the lead courtesy of a disputed goal which City thought should have been offside but to their credit, took this setback in their stride and continued to work hard but at half time still trailed by the odd goal.

The second half started badly for City with Barking extending their lead within two minutes and the omens did not look good as a number of outstanding saves by Leanne Patten in the City goal, kept them in the game.

Midway through the half, a scramble in the Barking area ended with Gabby Gunn sliding the ball to Helena Golding who showed composure to stroke the ball home. With 8 mins left, an inswinging corner from the right by Tara Britton was inch perfect for Nikki Bailey who headed the ball home to level the scores. 

With the game heading for extra time, City won the game with less than two minutes left. A poor clearance from the home keeper saw the ball land to Britton who controlled and unleashed a wonder strike past the stranded keeper.

It was a nervous final few minutes with the home side pushing forward but City were resolute and held on for a great victory and scenes of delight at the end.

Under 16 A Division

Herongate 3 Chelmsford City 4

City gained a hard fought victory at Herongate on Sunday, in an evenly fought game. The two sides drew 2-2 in January but it was City who took all three points through goals by Nikki Bailey, Tara Britton, Letitia Cleary and Gabby Gunn.

Chelmsford City 2 Herongate 2

Goals from Letitia Cleary and Helena Golding secured a point from this hard fought encounter at Marconi Leisure on Sunday. Both sides will meet each other again this Sunday in the return league fixture.

Hoddesdon Owls 3 Chelmsford City 5

Chelmsford snatched victory out of the claws of defeat on Sunday in Hertfordshire. The home side were enjoying a 3-1 lead as the game entered it’s final stages when City turned the game on it’s head with a fantastic four goal salvo finale. This ensured City’s 2^nd win out of 3 games and their goals were scored by Hannah Magner 2, Alice MacInnes, Letitia Cleary and Danniella Taylor.