Colchester United Ladies can settle into the Christmas holidays in the sure knowledge they have earned themselves an exciting New Year present.

Their 1-0 defeat of Enfield Town means they will travel to Ladies National Premier champions Arsenal in the Women’s FA Cup fourth round proper.

The U’s ladies fielded a side bolstered by the return of Toni Smith, Kayley Morgan and Cerri Hughes and the confidence of a good display against Cardiff City was still fresh in their minds.

It was Colchester who started the brighter, taking the game to the home side, with strong runs from winger Kat Parnell causing Enfield’s defence problems from the outset. Colchester had the better of the first half, going close on several occasions, while Enfield were confined to breaks against the play but it was still goalless at half-time.

The second half ran to much the same pattern, with Colchester taking up much of the possession and having most attempts on goal.

Free-kicks by Laura Guyon and Kate Longhurst narrowly missed opening the score.

However, it was after a change that the breakthrough occurred, with the hard-working Helen Bass coming on as a substitute.

A strong run down the right by Bass was followed by an unselfish cross ball into the path of an intelligent and perfectly-timed run by Longhurst, who struck home without breaking stride.

Colchester held the lead for the remainder of the half and looked comfortable until the final ten minutes when Enfield began to pressure them at the back.

U’s keeper Nikkitta Runnacles was forced to make a save one-on-one and then a last-gasp strike by Enfield was scrambled off the Colchester line just before the referee blew for full-time.

It was a well-deserved win for the young Colchester side, who will reap their reward at Arsenal Ladies’ Boreham Wood ground on January 4.

U’s Ladies manager Dmitri Halajko said: “We have worked hard for this result both in training and during the games leading up to this one.

“All my players deserve the chance to play Arsenal and we look forward to that fixture with relish.”