Chelmsford City's reserve side made the short journey up the A12 on Sunday only to find on arrival, they were facing Colchester United's full first team.

This did not deter City who belied their lower league status by producing a glowing performance to push their Eastern Region Premier Division opponents all the way.

City gave debuts to Krista Hultquist and Andrea Adams who both impressed the manager with good, solid performances.

City created the better early chances with the home goalkeeper saving well to deny Emma Ridings and Carly Manns.

The home side took the lead on 28 minutes with a U's forward latching onto a through ball and she calmly clipped the ball home, and on the stroke of half-time, Colchester extended their lead to 2-0.

City reduced the arrears on 51 minutes with the goal of the game.

Marianne Gibson did well on the left but her initial cross into the penalty box was blocked but on receiving the rebound, she fired a 25 yard strike over the goalkeeper's head and into the corner of the net.

Colchester restored their two goal advantage soon after and on 70 minutes they added a fourth goal.

City netted their second goal two minutes later after Louise Rodwell had supplied Hultquist with a pinpoint pass.

Hultquist controlled the ball on the run, and outpaced her marker before drilling the ball home.

On 76 minutes, Hultquist controlled the ball well under pressure before laying it back to Jo Millar, and her cross was converted well by Gibson for City's third goal.

The last six minutes of the match saw Chelmsford tire in the heat with Colchester making full use of their 20 player squad and they netted a further three times to seal a 7-3 win.

City had a goal ruled out for offside in the final minute after Manns had converted a good ball into the box by Hultquist.

City came away with a lot of praise following their performance which should boost their confidence and on this showing there is no reason why they should not be challenging for honours in the Essex County League this season.

Chelmsford City Reserves: Pearson, Barnard, Watts, Rodwell, Adams, Hunt, Hultquist, Terrell, Millar, Ridings, Manns, Dow and Gibson.

This Sunday, City's first team open their FA South East Combination League fixtures with a game at Writtle College against Brighton based side Whitehawk (k.o 2pm).

In it goes: Braintree Town's Bradley Quinton (light shirt) fires the ball through a packed Witham Town penalty area to net one of his two goals in Saturday's pre-season friendly which Braintree won 4-0.

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