Chelmsford arrived at Palmers College ready for the challenge of playing 2nd in the table Thurrock. Everyone arrived bang on 11.30 except Coach Goodridge who due to a navigational error ended up in Chadwell Heath with Bunny our esteemed Umpire for the day.
“Sterling efforts of the midfield quartet…”
Thurrock started strongly with good possession and movement in their forward areas with the Chelmsford ladies working hard in defence but struggling to maintain possession of the ball. Sarah Eagero, Danielle Austino (Rocky) and Connie Kitchenero defended for their lives, quite literally at times. With the sterling efforts of the midfield quartet, Wilko, Jenkinsono, Neavo and Pryoro, Thurrock were kept at bay for 20 minutes until their pressure paid off and Keeper Waterso was beaten.
After going 1 down Chelmsford became stronger and held the ball with good individual skills and superb passing through the lines to the forward trio of Guyo x2 and Browno but were unable to gain a breakthrough.
Ickleo and Pieno came in to the fray and both played their part in maintaining Chelmsford’s good play and attacking options. Ickleo took one to the fingers and unfortunately had to retire hurt, it was however good to see her on the pitch after a long injury lay off with a torn bottom.
The second half started with Chelmsford 1 down but continuing to press the Thurrock defence and were awarded a short. Pryoro fired the ball to Eagero who controlled and hit in one movement driving the ball to the left post where Pryoro waiting deflected the ball into the net…1-1.
“Calmly slotted the ball under the advancing keeper”
Chelmsford continued pressing with Pieno and Guyo (the younger) keeping possession and bringing the midfield quartet in to play and with 5 minutes to go Wilko won a free and drove the ball in to the D where the waiting Guyo (the younger) collected the ball and shot towards goal, the Thurrock keeper made a good save but the ball came back to Guyo (the younger) and she calmly slotted the ball under the advancing keeper…2-1 Chelmsford.
The game restarted with Thurrock determined to gain an equaliser, however, Waterso in goal had other ideas and with a number of excellent saves kept them at bay and despite a penalty corner on the final whistle which Eagero calmly slapped off the back for another short just to add to the tension was defended well and Chelmsford had the victory.
Overall a fantastic team performance with player of the match split 3 ways, Guyo (the younger), Jenkinsono and Waterso.