With both City’s and Bergholt’s pitches waterlogged, both Clubs got together and booked the 3G pich in Colchester as this was the fourth attempt at getting this County Cup game played.

City started slowly and under par against their County League opponents, registering only one effort in the 9th minute by Sarah Jolly which went tamely wide. They started to gain momentum with both Helen Alder and Jolly having chances.

Jolly found herself through on goal twice but was ruled offside as City's Player of the Match, Emma Ridings was relentless in the attacks. With 26 minutes on the clock, an inch perfect Michelle Davis ball to Ridings saw the latter have her initial effort saved, but the keeper could only parry the ball back into her path and she calmly slotted it in to give City the lead.

 Alder produced a superb ball onto the head of Jolly whose header was just wide of the post but Jolly made up for it moments later. Ridings latched onto a loose ball and keeping it in play, she crossed into Jolly who fired the ball into the left hand corner of the goal.

Within a minute City were three goals to the good after Ridings linked up well with Jolly who set up Alder who made no mistake for a third. The Clarets had further opportunities to extend their lead further, Ridings and Jolly both shooting wide.

West Bergolt started to come back into the game but found the midfield quartet of Davis, Sharon Brownlie, Leanne Stubbings and Georgia Wheate in commanding form. Grainne McLaughlin did well just before the break after making a mazy run through the Bergholt defence but the keeper was out early to deny.

The last action of the half saw City claims for penalty turned down after Davis’ shot in the box looked to be handled by a Bergholt defender but City still enjoyed a three goal lead.
 
Early chances fell City’s way after the break but the opportunities failed to be converted. City's keeper Jade Parker spared City's blushes, pulling off asuperb save from a well struck free kick on the edge of the box. City's best opportunity of the half came from a Ridings cross that found Jolly in space having a free header that went over.

Bergolt worked hard in the second half and deservedly pulled a goal back while, at the other end, Ridings found herself through on goal but the keeper was quick off the mark to save well. The last kick of the game saw Kerri Binks strike a powerful free kick from the edge of the box but failed to find the net.
  
Chelmsford City: Parker, Stubbings, Wheate, Pavett, Binks, Davis (Wheeler), Alder, Mclaughlin (Franklin), Jolly (Taylor), Ridings.

City Player of the Match: Emma Ridings

Referee: David Tregaskes (Chelmsford)

Manager Clare Andrews commented after the game ‘We could have and should have played better today at times. We need to make the most of our opportunities and put the ball into the back of the net. West Bergolt to their credit should have levelled in the second half. We were poor today by our standards and I will be looking for a response in training and next weeks game. We need to kick start our season again and standards must and will be higher’.