A new look City team played their final pre-season friendly with a useful workout against a good Rayne side on Sunday. A number of City’s young ex-junior players were making their home debuts which also saw Kate Kitsiou making her first appearance for the club.

Both sides worked hard to combat the hard, dry bumpy surface and it was the visitors who forced a number of early corners which were dealt with by City. At the other end, Rachel Armstrong and daisy Dobbs both had good chances on the Rayne goal.

It was Rayne who opened the scoring when their striker found space and timed her run well to stroke the ball home. Clare Pearson in the City goal made a point blank save following a good Rayne corner to keep the deficit at one goal which benefited her side when, five minutes later, City drew level. Ashleigh Harding and Armstrong combined well on the edge of the Rayne penalty area before Armstrong drilled a low shot across the keeper into the far corner.    

Pearson had to be alert to produce two fine saves in as many minutes as the visitors finished the half looking strong.

Second Half

In the second half, Letitia Cleary had an effort on goal saved by the keeper on 50 minutes but minutes later, Rayne regained the lead. City made a mess of dealing with a near post corner which saw an unfortunate defender head the ball into her own net under pressure.

A number of substitutions during the remainder of the half saw the flow of the game disrupted but it gave the City management the chance to see all the players in action as well as giving the players much needed playing time. City produced some good neat build up play at times but rarely troubled the keeper.

Rayne look a good solid outfit and should do well this season in the Under 18 Division of the Essex County Girls League and Chelmsford City Ladies FC wish all the best for the coming season.

Match in focus

Line up

Chelmsford City Reserves Pearson. Cornell, Thomas, Arkell, Kitsiou, Powell, Brett, Dobbs, Holden, Harding, Armstrong, Storey, Cleary, MacInnes, Haslam and Threadgold

Referee  

Referee Ian Butler (Gt Dunmow)