Cullompton Rangers LFC
27th August 2006 v Alphington
Cullys last pre-season friendly saw them play host to Alphington Ladies at Speeds Meadow. Due to other commitments Alphington could only field nine players, so Cully provided two to allow an even contest. In the first half central defender Josie Copp and midfielder Jamie Schofield played against their team mates, and in the second half Becky Maunder and Catherine Wright swapped over. Manager Phil then had 12 players, bolstered to 13 when Lisa Clarke popped home to fetch her boots! The management and coaching staff decided to play on the smaller pitch, as it was pointed out to the girls that they wouldn't always have the luxury of playing on first class pitches like Speeds Meadow.
On a hot afternoon, both teams started quickly with end to end play, each set of defence being tested early on. Alphington were hard and fair into
tackles and a well organised team giving Cully a good test prior to the start of league fixtures next week. Josie was dominant in the middle, assisting the Alphington
defence in keeping a clean sheet in the first 35 minutes. It was just before half time that Curly (Catherine Wright) struck another trade mark goal from 25 yards, leaving
the keeper stranded.
She is currently competing against herself for goal of the season!!
1-0 remained the score at half time, Josie reverted back to centre of Cullys defence, swapping with Becky, and Curly switching to Alphingtons midfield in place of Jamie. Jamie, still suffering with
blisters was subbed for Gemma Norman.
The second half saw more open play as the weather took its toll on the players. Good link up play from Kerry Powell-Tuckett and Hayley Sharrod on the right, and Bucky (Karen Buck) and Jess Hooper on the left saw lots of crosses into the box from wide areas. Early in the second half Josie took a slight knock on her ankle as she made a crunching tackle, taking no chances before next week she took a rest and Lisa Clarke was brought on. Jess, who had a magnificent game, was rewarded with a goal, taking the score to 2-0 midway through the second half. A good ball through from Gemma found Jess who cooly slotted it past the keeper. The Alphington keeper was kept busy but played an outstanding game and continued to thwart the Cully strikers. They were rewarded though, when good play from the right allowed a simple tap in to make it 3-0.
The fourth goal was a good move out of defence, through to attack, allowing Laura Gough to break her duck for the day. Lisa Clarke won the ball in defence, threaded a perfect ball through to Jess
on the left who put in a cross to find Goughy, who headed in from close range. The final goal came a few minutes later after good play from Titch (Larua Carpenter) in midfield.
She battled back to win the ball and after link up play, found Goughy in the box who struck a low shot past the keeper. Player of the match by a country mile was the Alphington keeper, who had an exceptional
game. She continually frustrated the Cully players, appearing in nearly every part of the goal they aimed at. A good team performance from Cully, who faced a young, spirited Alphington side. The manager was
pleased with the understanding forged between the strikers and the link up play with the midfielders. Maxine Coupe and the rest of the defence were happy with another clean sheet, taking many positives into next weeks
first league game against Team Bath.