Cullompton Rangers LFC
1st Oct 2006
Cullompton Rangers v Bath City (Home)
Cully went into todays game with a new look defence with key defenders Josie Copp and Becky Maunder missing through injuries. Lisa Clarke stepped into the fold, Kerry Powell-Tuckett coming in from the right to partner her in the centre of defence. Chrissy Daniels reverted to right back. Cully started the game confidently with Kim Betlam and Jess Hooper testing their markers on the wings. Captain Curly (Catherine Wright) made a welcome return from injury and was winning the ball and providing telling passes. Jamie Schofield was, as ever, tough in the tackle and winning the majority of headers.
The breakthrough came early on after good pressure in the Bath City penalty box. A shot was parried out to Kim, who on the edge of the box, turned
and hit a sweet shot into the top left corner of the net.
Bath City reacted well and pressured the Cully defence, a lofted ball
over the top saw Maxine Coupe come off her line and clear the initial danger before wiping out the Bath City attacker. The loose ball was the cleared by
Karen Buck (Bucky) as Bath City tried to close in. Only a few minutes later Cully made it 2-0 when they scored with a move right out of
defence. Max saw the opportunity and took a quick free kick, she released Kim on the right wing who put in a perfect pass to Laura Gough (Goughy).
Goughy hit a low, hard shot from the edge of the box, which was well saved by the keeper. However, the power meant she was unable to keep hold of it
and Goughy made no mistake with the rebound.
With the wind against them in the second half Cully found it hard to get thier passing game going. Jess continued to hassle thier defence and get in some good crosses from the left, Kim doing the same finding space on the right. Laura Carpenter (Titch) replaced Lisa Clarke in defence after 60 minutes, shortly after Hayley Sharrod gave Jess a rest on the left. With fresh legs the team continued to make chances but couldnt capitalise on them. Kerry slotted into her new role well, clearing up anything Bath City threw at her, Max controlled her box often coming out to help the defence and clearing her lines.
Emma Redwood came on late to replace Gabby Trays up front, but her bid to add to the score sheet was hindered as left back Bucky was forced to join her as strike partner. An unfair challenge by the Bath City right winger gave Bucky a dead leg, she hobbled off and then back on but was unable to be effective in defence and she switched to limp around up front. The girls battled, kept concentration and held on despite late pressure. It was a good win with 3 more points and another clean sheet. Cully hope to retain their place at the top of the table travelling to Swindon next week before a weeks rest on the 15th.