Enfield Town fell behind in just the second minute when Kate Longhurst was allowed too much room in the area and headed a free kick which was played in from the left into the net with the returning Jo Ayre in the host’s goal rooted to the spot. 0-1 (2 min). 

Colchester went close twice in the next two minutes as Kayleigh Morgan wasted a good chance by shooting weakly at Ayre and a corner was knocked just wide but Enfield couldn’t hold on much longer and as the ball was played across the area by a couple of Colchester forwards the Enfield defenders all stood back which ended when the ball was played to Kayleigh Morgan who had time to control the ball before despatching it past Ayre and inside the post. 0-2 (6 min). 

Colchester almost added to the score again two minutes later when Toni Smith took the ball down the wing and passed it to Longhurst who turned two defenders before hitting an unstoppable shot the smashed off the bar. Enfield now tightened up and prevented any further shots until the 22^nd minute only good defending crowded out Longhurst as she went to shoot. Laura Burns looked to be about to have Enfield’s first true effort but the ball run away from her as she went past the last defender. Colchester were still looking at their most threatening when the ball was played over the defence for someone to run onto and Longhurst wasted a couple of good chances by knocking the ball wide of the net each time. Kelly Townshend finally made Mel Kinsalla in the visitor’s goal when a good turn and shot was well saved after 44 minutes. 

A cross by Daniele Griffiths crashed off the near post in just the 3^rd minute of the second half as once again Colchester settled the quickest but Enfield soon got themselves back into the game when Cally Browne and Laura Burns exchanged passes out on the right before a cross found Jenna Schillaci who rolled the ball to Kelly Townshend who shot high into the top corner from the “D” of the area. 1-2 (50 min). 

The game was going nowhere for the next 11 minutes until a lose ball by an Enfield defender presented Kate Longhurst with a chance which she accepted by lobbing the ball over Ayre and into the net. 1-3 (56 min). 

Another new signing for Enfield was introduced to the game as Leanne Maybe replaced Emma Kayser and she helped to keep the midfield battle heading in Enfield’s favour but the goals that were needed failed to come as Sarah Kessack had a header from a corner saved on the line, a Townshend free kick went narrowly wide when any touch would have resulted in a goal and a Townshend overhead shot with her back to gaol in a crowded area went just over. Townshend next contribution to the game ended when she was fouled in the area and the referee awarded Enfield a penalty. After a brief debate between the normal penalty taker, Laura Burns, and youngster Cally Browne it was Browne who stepped up and confidently buried the kick to again give hope to the side. 2-3 (73 min). 

From now on both sides only managed to threaten each other’s goal on rare occasions and Ayre was alert to dive at a players feet and prevent a goal at one end and a Jenna Schillaci cross was well headed away as two forwards waited for it to arrive. Longhurst had Colchester’s final chance of the game but chipped wide as she was approached by Ayre and Kelly Cutler who had just come on to make her first team début from last season’s under 15s team did well to win a corner but Beth Lovell’s follow up shot after it was cleared was deflected away as the last chance went begging.