Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully score 5 in thrilling opener
Cheltenham 3 v Cully 5
Cully made a fantastic start to the season today, taking 3 points away from home to fellow league contenders Cheltenham. Despite having several girls the missing through injury and unavailability, the new signings and depth of the squad allowed Gaffer to travel with 12 strong, versatile players. The girls lined up 4-4-2, Maxine Coupe made a return in goal coming out of a short lived semi-retirement and was joined by an experienced back four. Sam Bell and Karen Buck were centre halves with Emma Jones Snr at left back and Becky Maunder slotting in at right back due to the injury of Kerry Powell-Tuckett. Adaptable players Emma Redwood and Mandy Earle formed a partnership in centre midfield with Jess Hooper on the left wing and a debut for Celine Le Boyer on the right. Angie Pope and Lola Sanchez made a formidable striking force, with experience and speed to test the Cheltenham defence.
Cully made a bright start with the players soon finding their feet and confidence in new positions. Jess showed her strength and skill on the left wing, finding space and playing some telling balls into the box. Pope and Sanchez both had shots early on, testing the Cheltenham keeper. Despite early pressure it was Cheltenham who had the first clear cut chance, a break through on the edge of the box saw a strong strike well saved by Max. Max was kept busy for a spell that saw her make two more great saves, one expertly punched away from under the bar. Celine then came close to a debut goal for the visitors. Redders linked up with Pope, a great through ball had Celine beating the defender with her pace, but her right foot shot went inches wide into the side netting. Max was helpless to stop Cheltenham taking the lead on 20 minutes, Cully were punished for not clearing the ball in defence and the Cheltenham centre midfield snuck into the box and slotted the ball into the corner of the net. Cully responded well, Pope and Sanchez causing the defence problems as they were played in by wingers Jess and Celine. Their persistence was rewarded and an equaliser soon followed. A free kick was awarded for a foul on Jess which saw Bucky put the ball down 25 yards out. Her right footed shot at goal was spilled by the keeper and followed up by striker Pope who finished clinically from close range. The game proceeded fairly evenly as half time approached, with both teams having chances in front of goal. It was Cheltenham who took the lead again shortly before half time. As it looked like Jones was going to clear the danger in defence the Cheltenham forward nipped in between her and Max and finished well under pressure. Cully finished the half strongly, again bouncing back and getting the equaliser they deserved on their performance in the first 45 mins. Celine made a powerful run on the right and played in Lola, her skill and pace took her past 2 defenders and Redders ran into hit an unstoppable shot into the top of the net.
Another entertaining half then followed, keeping the management and supporters on the proverbial edge of their seats. Cheltenham again took the lead after a cracking corner from their captain was finished well by the centre forward who headed in from close range. Mandy Earle then made way for another debut performance, this time for Flo Greensit, as Mandy struggled with a giant size blister. Cully again, not downbeat, went straight on the attack searching for an equaliser. Redders looked odds on for her second but her strike from the edge of the box went inches over the bar. Controversy then followed with the referee having to consult with his linesman to confirm a crucial decision. A Sanchez corner was met by the head of defender Buck, she headed the ball towards the top corner of the goal and it appeared to be on or over the line when a Cheltenham player handled it. Bucky, along with others, appealed that the ball had crossed the line whilst the ref consulted his linesmane. The discussion led to a penalty for handball and a straight red card for the Cheltenham player. Pope cooly despatched the penalty to make it 3-3, now back in the game with a player advantage. They were quick to make this advantage count when straight from the kick off Celine won the ball back and threaded a ball through to Lola. Lolas speed took her past the defender as she rifled a right footed shot into the top of the net. Cheltenham battled well and created chances despite being a player light. Max was again called into action, clearing on the edge of the box with a sprint to the ball and then punching away a free quick floating into the 6 yard box. Cully then put the game beyond reach with Flo scoring her first goal for the club, and the 5th for Cully. Jonesy battled on the left and fed teh ball into Jess, her cross into the box was dummied by Pope and finished by the right boot of Flo as she stretched and slid in. A cracking team performance was congratulated by the Gaffer and the girls taking this performance into next weeks game against league debutantes Taunton. Chairman Bill was honoured with choosing player of the match and was delighted to award it to semi-retiree Maxine Coupe.