Northampton (H) Won 2-1 (Smith 2)

Colchester kicked off their season with a hard fought win against Northampton.  Toni Smith opened the scoring in the 13th minute when she collected the ball, turned, run at the defence and cooly finished by lifting the ball over the keepers head for a composed finish.  Emma Wake went close minutes later but saw her header gathered safely by the keeper.  Northampton responded with their number 8 shooting just wide.  Colchester continued to attack and Longhurst was unlucky to see her shot come back of an upright.  In the 28th minute Colchester increased their lead when Longhurst's header was knocked over the line by the eager Smith. 

H-T 2-0 

Northampton came back strongly in the 2nd half and started to create chances of their own and it was no surpise when they scored in the 62nd minute following some indecision in the Colchester defence. They went close again when No.7 headed just over.  Colchester were finding it difficult to cope with the strong wind behind their backs as ball after ball eluded the forwards.  Kinsalla was called upon to make a good save to stop Northampton from equalising as they pressed forward.  Although Northampton controlled most of the second half, Colchester held on for a hard earned winning start to the season.