Colchester United Women beat Chigwell Ladies at Garrison

Ruby Greenleaf's hat-trick was complemented by braces from Billie-Jo Williams and Jac Craddock-Ball, with further goals from Cassie Craddock-Ball and Ella Cahill sealing the deal.

Facing a ten-woman Chigwell squad from the outset, with stand-in keepers donning the gloves in both halves, the odds were in the U’s favour from the off.

Strong winds and relentless battling from the visitors threatened a different outcome, in the early stages.

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However, Greenleaf put the U’s in front at 25 minutes following a superb overlap between Emily Ager and new signing Tahlia Roome, drilling the ball in for a simple finish.

The score was doubled two minutes later following a near-identical overlap and delivery, a visiting defender sending the ball across the line.

Jac Craddock-Ball came close to securing a third but was denied by the keeper.

Thalia Adams took advantage of the extra space, unleashing a shot at goal from the edge of the box which was held by the keeper.

Greenleaf then secured her second of the match in the 41st minute, after receiving Learna Daniels' well-timed through ball.

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One-on-one with the keeper, the U’s striker sent the ball to the side netting out of the keeper’s reach.

Cassie Craddock-Ball delivered a rocket at the keeper two minutes later, only to be parried wide.

She was instrumental in Greenleaf’s hat-trick two minutes later though, sending a perfect through-ball for a nice finish.

Niamh Gamble in particular was quick to track back and collect loose balls while Owen Hoskin was alert throughout and served as a super option for defence, resetting formation and getting the ball back out to the wings.

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The U's fifth goal appeared in the 57th minute when Leah Pope's fantastic run on the right wing ending with a cross for an unmarked Billie-Jo Williams to complete.

Jac Craddock-Ball got on the scoresheet two minutes later, her shot denying a defender’s goal-line clearance.

Williams then secured her brace in the 63rd minute, after outstanding footwork from Gamble took her past players to supply the U’s left winger.

There was a moment of controversy five minutes later with an offside call denying Ella Cahill’s first goal this season.

However, a brief conversation with the assistant resulted in the decision being overturned and the U’s tally increasing to eight.

Jac Craddock-Ball punished a lacklustre restart, intercepting the ball and scoring within seconds while players appeared to be still establishing their formation.

The U’s tenth and final goal was an exquisite curler from Cassie Craddock-Ball, set up by Adams to the edge of the box.

Colchester’s next match is at Hutton FC Womens Reserves, on December 8.

Colchester United Women: Adams, Ager, C Craddock-Ball (c), J Craddock-Ball, Daniels, Farrow, Greenleaf, Hoskin, Morgan, Paton, Pope. Subs: Cahill, Gamble, Roome, Williams.

Player of the match: Cassie Craddock-Ball.