BORO LADIES' trip to Chelsea ended in defeat for the underdogs but not before they had given an excellent account of themselves against top-flight opposition, writes JOE ANGUS.

The team travelled to Surrey to play Premier League team Chelsea LFC in this fourth round FA Cup Women's clash.

Fielding a strong team which boasted three international players, Chelsea exploded out of the blocks to take the lead in the second minute with the Boro defence still adjusting to the pace of the game and unable to prevent Ellen White scoring from close range.

After the shock of conceding so early on, the team rallied, making Chelsea fight for every ball.

The impressive Sally Mullen, given the task of marking England's speedy striker Eniola Aluko, made her mark with some great tackles and interceptions.
At the other end of the pitch Boro's Nicky Duckling was causing major problems for Chelsea's defence with her pace. Her running paid off in the 28th minute when she latched onto a fine through ball and cut inside the penalty area.

With only the keeper to beat, Duckling was upended by another of Chelsea's England internationals, Casey Stoney.

Having awarded the penalty the referee then produced a red card for Stoney's challenge.

Duckling confidently converted the spot-kick with a fierce shot into the top of the net and brought battling Boro back on level terms with their high-flying opponents.

Boro continued to compete well with Chelsea, who were pushing hard for a second goal.

The tense atmosphere was compounded in the 40th minute with a second red card for Chelsea.

Seemingly out of pure frustration at being marked out of the game by Mullen, Aluko blatantly kicked out at a Boro player in front of the referee and was immediately sent off.

This nasty incident appeared to inspire Boro even further as they pushed forward for the last five minutes of the half but they couldn't manage a second before half time.

At the start of the second half Boro made a few changes, bringing on Amy Laville in defence.

Chelsea, left with nine players, upped the pace and forced two early corners in quick succession but the pressure ultimately fizzled out with an off-target shot.

Despite Chelsea piling on the pressure, Boro took the lead in the 52nd minute, with Duckling again involved.

The striker turned the Chelsea defence inside-out and squared the ball to skipper Abbey Lyle, who scored from six yards.

But Boro's lead lasted only a minute and a half. Chelsea drew level when uncertainty in Boro's defence led to White equalising, again unmarked, from close range.

Chelsea smelled blood and piled on the pressure, forcing Boro to defend deeply.

Beginning to reach their top gear, it was hard to tell the home team were two players short.

Displaying their Premier League class Chelsea knocked short, snappy passes and switched play continuously, with both of their full-backs overlapping and causing the visiting defence problems.

Boro tried hard and had several chances themselves to add to the scoreline but nobody was brave enough to take a shot at goal and consequently Chelsea managed to snuff out any attacks.

But Chelsea sealed victory within the space of four hectic minutes.

Boro's defence stopped for an offside appeal but Chelsea kept playing and Buet scored to make it 3-2 on 78 minutes.

Just 60 seconds later Ellen White completed her hat-trick as once again Boro's players appeared rooted to the spot as a corner kick was floated over and White slipped the ball past the keeper.

Chelsea substitute Susi made it 5-2 just three minutes later, skipping past several Boro players to score.

Although the game was effectively over, Boro began to rally again in the closing minutes and had Chelsea defending furiously.

Sadly for Boro, this defeat at the hands of Chelsea marked the end of their impressive FA Cup run.

Marrie Wieczorek said: "There was a massive difference between the two teams in terms of fitness, which showed in the last 20 minutes.

"Chelsea finished as strongly as they started, whereas most of our players were physically drained.

"However, on the plus side Sally Mullen was superb for us and we also got a great performance from Nicky Duckling in her final game."

Next week, Boro return to league action with a home game against Scunthorpe United LFC, 2pm kick off at Billingham Synthonia FC.

*Anyone interested in playing for the club should contact Marrie Wieczorek on 07854 293090 or secretary Trevor Wing on 07860780446.