Romford rekindled the rivalry that existed with Chelmsford City in the 1960s and 70s during the first-ever meeting between the club's womens’ teams.

But injuries and illness meant Boro boss Jason Murray had just 12 players available for selection and a lack of fresh legs eventually told in a 3-0 defeat.

Dogged Romford defence held Chelmsford for 79 minutes, but three goals in the closing stages gave the hosts a third successive win of the season to put them second in the Essex League Premier Division table.

Boro began brightly, with Claire Huggins wriggling free on the left, beating two challenges and denied by a fine save from the City keeper.

City had Boro pinned back for the majority of the game, leaving the visitors dependent on counter attacks mainly spearheaded by the electric Huggins.

But Romford’s impressive defence gave a very gutsy performance and keeper Jamie Williams continued her fine form as she pulled off a pair of first-half saves to frustrate the hosts.

The visitors could have led at the break, as the City keeper again saved from Huggins at close range.

And the second half had a similar pattern, with Romford looking to counter, and Chelmsford dominating possession while battling to open a stubborn rearguard.

Player of the match Chloe Eastwell was particularly impressive in a fine performance in an unfamiliar wide left position, with the City keeper saving smartly from Huggins and Sam Kuski.

The breakthrough came with just 11 minutes left as a clever pass in between the lines was fired into the roof of the net.

And a tiring Boro were undone twice more in the final stages, with City’s second coming from an unmarked header at a corner and the third via a rebound after Williams tipped a free-kick onto the crossbar.

“I have no complaints with the result, but I think three was a little harsh in the end," said Murray.

"We perhaps could've defended better for the second and third, however it’s difficult to criticise the defence who were all magnificent.

"We couldn’t hold the ball up in the frontline, enabling our players to advance, and that meant it was difficult to relieve pressure.

"I was delighted with the effort from all our players, hopefully we can get numbers back sooner rather than later and I’m forever on the hunt for new additions!

"We were delighted to see the fixture played on the men’s first team pitch. Credit to Chelmsford for that and hopefully this is a trend that continues through the women’s game.”

Romford: Williams, Simpson, Lakes, Sharpe, Gabriel, Stuart, Eastwell, Huggins, Pavlovska, Kuski, Doyle-Love. Sub: Fenton.