The Ladies "Blues" play 3 games in 11 days

Match reports by Kim Coster.

Billericay Town Ladies play 3 fixtures in 11 days which has produced a mixed bag of results.

14th March they travelled away to Whitwell in the league and could only leave with a point in a 0-0 draw.  Whitwell certainly did a fantastic job in containing Billericay and played the game as if it was their cup final. Pitch and weather conditions had an impact but you have to deal with these, the result could affect Billericay’s title battle. But all praise must go to the young Whitwell side for their determination and never give up attitude.

Team: Hollie Dimambro, Leanne Wood, Rebecca Allen, Ginnie James, Vannessa Wilson, Sarah Bovington, Hayley Spallin ( Marie Barker), Lisa Blundell, Jo Peacock (Nicola Gore), Kelly Stock (Sam Edwards), Kerry Oldham, Subs Sam Edwards, Nicola Gore, Marie Barker

17th March Billericay then entertained Enfield at Billericay Town FC in the semi final of the Ryman Ladies Cup.  Enfield are a league higher (3 Divisions) in the Ladies Pyramid. Billericay did a fantastic job in the first half breaking down their play and frustrating the bench and players, they kept the score at 0-0 at half time, Rebecca Allen playing at the heart of Billericay’s defence was unable to return for the second half due to a knee injury. Enfield’s half time talk must have been strong as they come out all gun’s blazing and scored 2 quick goals, Billericay were unlucky not to convert which allowed Enfield to dictate the pace of the game. Billericay players started to tire and Enfield’s sub Sarah Sinclair put away 3 very good goals.  Final score 0-5.

Kim Coster praised the team for their energy and enthusiasm against a very good Enfield side that fielded several International’s, she was also extremely pleased with the performance of young signing Jo Ribet who proved her ability to play at this higher level.

Team: Hollie Dimambro, Leanne Wood, Ginnie James, Kiran Hare, Sarah Bovington, Hayley Spallin (Kelly Stock), Rebecca Allen (Jo Peacock), Jo Ribert, Lisa Blundell (Lisa Robins), Kerry Oldham, Paris Smith

Subs not used Dan Rose, Robyn Strauss

21st March Billericay entertained Chelmsford City in the semi final of the League Cup at Billericay Town FC– Chelmsford currently sit top half of the Premier Eastern.

Chelmsford had the better start to the game with more determination, always looking dangerous from set plays.  Their first goal by Michelle Davie’s was scored through Billericay not clearing their defences from a corner.  The remainder of the first half saw both teams play good attacking football.

Second half Chelmsford won an early corner – the ball deflecting off a Billericay player to make it 0 -2. Kim Coster knew the game on Wednesday had  taken its toll and made 3 quick substitutions, Lisa Silverton replacing Kerry Oldham up front, Marie Barker and Jo Peacock replacing Lisa Blundell and Hayley Spallin in the middle of the park.  The fresh legs injected some much needed energy and Billericay then enjoyed a good spell of pinning Chelmsford into their own half.  Kelly Stock broke through Chelmsford defence and her strike pinged off the cross bar.  Silverton was first to react and beat the Chelmsford covering defender to smash the ball home.  Billericay’s second was scored on approx 82nd minute combination play between Stock and Silverton with Stock sweetly lobbing the keeper – Billericay then upped a gear and had Chelmsford on the back foot, albeit both teams were unlucky on the counter attacks. Extra time saw much the same with both teams driving forward and defending well tired legs saw the game finish 2-2- after extra time.

As the game had to be decided on the day it was down to penalties.  Both managers Clare Andrews and Kim Coster praised the teams for the excellent football played – cruel that it had to be decided on penalties but both teams could take heart on the days performance.  Billericay ended victorious with Kiran Hare scoring the sudden death penalty and Hollie Dimambro saving Chelmsford’s penalty.

Billericay now face Heatherset in the final to be played at Soham FC on the 2nd May 2010.

Kim Coster Manager of Billericay would like to thank the supporters and players of Chelmsford City LFC for making this an excellent day for female football we wish them well in their remaining games of the season as they are still in with a chance of winning the Premier and gaining promotion to the combination – Not forgetting our own excellent supporters.

Team: Hollie Dimambro, Leanne Wood, Rebecca Allen, Ginnie James, Sarah Paris Smith, Kiran Hare, Lisa Blundell (Marie Barker) Hayley Spallin (Jo Peacock) Kerry Oldaham ( Lisa Silverton, Kelly Stock.

Subs not used: Dan Rose, Sam Edwards