A below par City managed to gain all three points with a battling performance at Watford on Sunday to move up to sixth place in the table.

With four minutes played, City's Danielle Hoy found herself on a one on one situation with the goalkeeper with the keeper just doing enough to thwart the City forward.

Five minutes later, Chelmsford had a great opportunity to take the lead when Keisha Ramos was chopped down in the box following a mazy run but the resultant penalty was put wide.

Chances were few and far between as both defences worked hard to stifle the forwards.

Forced wide

City's only real goalscoring opportunity fell to Paula Drane but the goalkeeper did well to force Drane wide and make the angle too acute.

The second half followed much the same pattern with City unable to get their passing game going and the home side, although enjoying the majority of the possession, hardly troubling Michelle Bridgeman in the Chelmsford goal.

Hoy slid in to beat two defenders to a low cross on the six yard box but her shot cannoned back off the crossbar.

The all important winning goal arrived on 68 minutes after good build up play.

Garner put a corner deep into the Watford box and the ball fell to Drane at the far post who controlled and converted it into the bottom of the net.

The home side then pushed players forward but City defended stoutly with Melanie Edwards outstanding in the centre.

Watford nearly equalised following a corner but Garner was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

At the other end Darel Poole turned her marker sharply but her shot was saved and Joy went close in the closing seconds but her shot went wide.

Chelmsford City: Bridgeman, Marshall (Shirley), Garner, Edwards, Blundell, Gammon (Poole), Purdon, Ramos, Drane, Cole and Hoy.

n City's next fixture is on Sunday, January 7 when they entertain Norfolk based Racers at Writtle College (kick-off 2 pm).

The following week (January 14) City entertain Fulham who are the first fully Professional Women's side in the country, venue and kick-off time to be advised.

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