Result: Loss 2-0

On a cold miserable morning the Ladies 6’s set off to Southend to play the league leaders.

As with last week Chelmsford started on the front foot with Jess and Sophie carving out a chance within a minute, the home team just about getting a stick onto the shot and deflecting it over the bar.

Soon after play was stopped for an injury to the home forward. Sarah made a good clearance, unfortunately the follow through connected just above the Southend player’s eyebrow, resulting in the player having to leave the field (apparently glued together & out till the NY)

This obviously effected Chelmsford more as it broke up their momentum and Southend finally began to get a foothold into the match, creating their first chance. This time it was Chelmsford’s turn to defend well, with Karen, Nicola and Lianna getting some good blocks in.

It was during this period that Chelmsford succumbed to a sucker punch, a good counter attack resulted in the Southend forward tucking the ball into the left hand corner from close range.

This setback had a galvanising effect with Chelmsford pressing forward. Nell produced a superb through ball to Sophie who whipped a good ball across the D but no one could get the vital touch.

Sophie had another chance a minute later as the ball found her one on one with the goalie but her shot agonisingly just missed the left hand post.

Half Time 1-0: With some words of encouragement from Tony, Chelmsford dominated the second half.  They looked like the only team likely to score.

Beats went on a mazy run but her shot was saved.  Sue had a chance, Sophie had shots, Caitlin had a one on one, the ball continuously flashed across the Southend D but it would just not go in.

If the first goal was a sucker punch the second was a travesty with 5 minutes to go and virtually the whole Chelmsford team camped in or around the Southend D the ball broke to the Southend winger who ran down the line superbly crossing for the forward to tap into an empty goal 2-0.

Despite this setback there was still time for Sue and Sophie to have more chances with the goalie saving the day again.

The disappointment was compounded when the Southend Captain came up after the game to say how lucky they were to hang on.

Although a disappointing result the team can be proud of their performance, everyone gave 100%, battling until the end and unlucky to lose to the league leaders.

Southend and Benfleet next week in another top of table clash.

Joint Players of the Match: Nell McQueen and Jessica Harrison