WOODBRIDGE TOWN 3 CHELMSFORD CITY 3 (after extra time) (Woodbridge won 8-7 on penalties)   

FA Womens Cup 3^rd QualifyingRound. Sunday 25^th October 2009 at Woodbridge Town FC, Norcutts Park, Fynn Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk Ip12 4TF. Kick Off 2.00pm
 
  City made the journey over the Orwell Bridge to face a tough Woodbridge side, eventually bowing out on penalties following a pulsating 120 minutes of cup action.

  City started strongly but Woodbridge were first off the mark with an early goal straight from an inswinging corner which deceived the keeper but City had a number of corners themselves which came to nothing.

   It was not long to wait before City levelled the scores, a long ball from Grainne Mclaughlin found Sarah Jolly who calmly fired home to make it 1-1.

   City had further chances with a Jolly effort well held by the keeper caught and a Mclaughlin shot which went inches wide of the upright.

 Woodbridge continued to work the ball forward well and a quick break saw them restore their lead before  Jolly , Emma Ridings and Mclaughlin all had chances on the break but were ruled off side. 
  Both teams created a number of chances after the break but both keepers were in commanding form, coming off their lines quickly to deal with dangerous looking balls.

 Woodbridge always looked dangerous on the break and extended their lead in controversial circumstances. Following a goalmouth scramble, City's Claire Pavett looked to have cleared the ball off the line, both the  Referee and his Assistant waved play on but after allowing play to continue, decided to stop play. After debating for a couple of minutes, they ruled the ball had crossed the line and awarded the goal

 City stepped up their game and with all the odds stacked against them, Ridings was provided with a through ball before placing the ball under the keeper her to make it 3-2 on 79 Minutes.

Woodbridge to their credit, instead of sitting on their lead, continued to push forward which allowed City the space to attack themselves. The lively Mclaughlin made a good run and after a strong challenge, Kerri Binks stepped up and powered a 30 yard free kick which soared into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance.

  The match went into extra time, where chances were at a premium and City may have won the game in the dying seconds but a close range effort was missed. 
 
  Both teams had give their all in an entertaining game which was sadly spoiled by strange refereeing decisions against both teams throughout but full credit to both sets of players who got on with the game.

In the end, the home side won the lottery of the penalty shoot-out 8-7 to make it through to the next round.

  City Manager Clare Andrews was bitterly disappointed to lose but was full of praise for her players especially the three reserve Team players Rachel Armstrong, Shelley Haslam and Letitia Cleary. ‘They stepped into the team today for their debuts and put in first class performances. It also shows the junior section at the club is producing top quality players for the future. I am very proud of our team today we conducted ourselves in a professional manner. We were resilient when all the odds and decisions were stacked against us and we kept our heads on the pitch’.

She was also quick to acknowledge the performance of her opponents in a highly entertaining game and to wish Woodbridge the very best of luck in the competition.
 
Chelmsford City: Parker, Pavett, Armstronge, Binks, Wheate, Davis, Brownlie, Mclaughlin, Wheeler (Haslam), Jolly, (Cleary) and Ridings.
 
City Player of the Match: Kerri Binks