Chelmsford City Under-14’s have waited a long time for their first victory of the season, but it was worth the wait as they dramatically clinched the points deep into stoppage time to conclude a thrilling encounter.

  The result was even better considering the young Clarets played the entire first-half one short and also fell behind after just 90 seconds. At this stage there was no real sign of the action to follow, although City did soon settle and grabbed an equaliser on 17 minutes. A home defender was penalised for handball and Gemma Plank rammed the ball in at the second attempt after the Colchester ‘keeper had saved her initial spot kick.

  Three minutes later,Plank was heavily involved again, sending over a peach of a free-kick for ‘Player of the Match’ Jennifer Baldock to superbly head into the net from six yards.

  Christie Lucking’s handling in the City goal was again very assured and a couple of smart saves also helped her team’s cause. With the interval imminent the hosts broke away to restore parity and three minutes after the restart they went ahead, the omens then not looking good for Chelmsford.

  The lively Plank was always willing to try her luck from distance and midway through the half her well-struck drive from 18 yards proved too good for the Town goalkeeper to score and make it 3-3. Back came Colchester and nine minutes from time they appeared to have finally knocked the stuffing out of City by scoring again.

  Not so, skipper Hannah Tomsett firing home from 12 yards to level matters at 4-4 with the game poised to enter added time. And with literally seconds left Plank swung over a tantalizing corner which led to a Colchester defender slicing the ball into her own net. Moments later the final whistle blew and City had grabbed the points their fantastic all-round performance thoroughly deserved!

  Chelmsford City: Christie Lucking, Emily Kendle, Ellie Annan, Hollie Austin, Hannah Tomsett, Rosanna Critchell, Jade Harrington, Jennifer Baldock, Sophie Dorrington, Gemma Plank.

  City Player of the Match: Jennifer Baldock

  Referee: Jeff Patterson (Colchester).

  All other Chelmsford City Ladies & Girls FC matches were postponed due to the waterlogged pitches. This coming Sunday (6th December), the Ladies first team will try for the third week running to try and play their Essex County Cup tie. It will now be switched to an away tie to be played at West Bergholt FC, Lexden Road, West Bergholt Kick off 1.30pm.