Havering's Laura Griffin battles for possession in midfield against Essex University

Essex Uni 7 Havering II 0

It proved an unhappy start to 2013 for Havering’s women in this rearranged fixture in Colchester.

Having made a wasted journey last month, when the original match was postponed due to a frozen pitch, Havering lost Laura Chambers to an ankle injury within five minutes.

And, as their reshuffled line-up settled, the home side opened the scoring from a short corner in the ninth minute.

Essex doubled their advantage with a fine solo effort from their captain, but Havering rallied towards the end of the first half and Helen Costello’s run and cross from the right created a chance for Nicki Cast, whose shot was saved.

Kate Chambers then picked out Ellen Garrod at the far post, but the youngster was unable to capitalise.

And after Chambers and Garrod had combined on the left, Cast was denied by a recovering Essex defender in the D, forcing her shot wide.

They were encouraging signs for Havering at the break, but their hopes of mounting a comeback were shattered as Essex netted twice in quick succession after the restart to move 4-0 up.

A strong run and cross from the right was converted at close range for their third, before a move on the left allowed a forward to net at the second attempt.

Havering tried to respond, but Garrod’s stickwork let her down at the vital moment as Cast waited at the far post for a cross.

And Essex netted a fifth when a long ball into the D was pushed wide of the exposed Gemma Shepherd.

Havering’s goalie made several good saves to keep the home side’s tally in single figures, but was beaten for a sixth time after another good individual effort.

And after Alison Floyd volleyed another attempt off the line, Essex completed their tally with a late seventh, when a short corner strike went in off the left post.

Costello and Monica Dubb worked tirelessly until the end for Havering and there was better news back at Campion, where the 3rd XI beat their Thurrock rivals by a 2-0 margin.

Havering: Shepherd, Wigham, Schofield, K Chambers, L Chambers (Day 5), Cast, Costello, Griffin, Floyd, Garrod, Dubb.