Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully get a point in 6 goal thriller
27th Jan
Cully and Cheltenham shared the spoils in a 6 goal spectacular that entertained the crowd in their league encounter at Speeds Meadow. Cheltenham turned out an extremely strong squad and Cully were prepared for a tough game starting with a 4-5-1 formation. With influential midfielder Catherine 'Curly' Wright still absent with her hand injury Mandy Earle remained in the middle alongside Jess Hooper and Josie Copp. With Rachel Javan and Kim Betlam wide players on the left and right respectively Cully looked to stretch the game and attack down the flanks.
It was Cheltenham however that started the game stronger being first to the ball and using their wing players effectively. Cully weathered the early pressure and responded with Rachel Javan looking dangerous each time she got the ball. The game was evenly balanced in the first 25 minutes, but then Cheltenham made the breakthrough and scored the opening goal. It was a ball over the top that initially caused the Cully defence a few problems and not clearing it cleanly proved decisive as the Cheltenham player slid in Sam Bell was just inches away from a great tackle as she slid in, but the attacker poked the ball past Maxine.
This spurred Cully into action who hit back soon after from a set piece. Good play down the left from Rach and Redders won the corner and a great cross from Kim was nodded in by Josie at the far post. Wide players Rach and Kim threatened on the flanks - supported well by the central 3 and from such a run on the left Cully were denied a blatent penalty when Rachel was taken down in the area. Her pace was causing the defence no end of problems but as she was up-ended bizarrely the ref waved play on.
Cheltenham pressured again towards the end of the half but the back 4 stayed strong and kept them out, Kerry and Sam particularly effectively on the right. It was Cully that nicked a goal and took a 2-1 lead into the half-time interval, again as a result of good work by Rachel. She tracked back to the half way line, pressured the Cheltenham player and won the ball laying it off to Bucky. Bucky pushed forwards and threaded a ball through to striker Redwood. She met it on the run and lobbed the keeper perfectly with her left foot. With the sun in their eyes in the second half, Cully knew they were going to see several balls over the top as Cheltenham tried to get back in the game. Josie, Jess and Mandy battled well in midfield and Cully pressed forward looking to extend their lead. The third did come soon after from an unexpected source, left back Bucky scoring her first league goal of the season. From a corner the ball broke to Bucky on the edge of the box who looped a left foot shot over the keeper.
Cheltenham then went all out to get a second and get back into the game. They continued to battle and create chances and were rewarded after 70 minutes. Another long ball over the top was finished well and set up a frantic last 20 minutes. Cheltenham nearly equalised just moments later but Max was the saviour as she bravely dived at the foot of an attacker to deny her a shot. Cully were unable to get out of their own half, Cheltenham created chance after chance and again Max was there to obey Cheltenham an equaliser as she saved well from a one on one. Max though could do nothing about the equaliser that Chelt grabbed 5 minutes from time. A cross from the right hand side curved wickedly and caught the far post to go over the line. Both teams went all out for the winner and had chances to win the game. Redders was denied from close range with a good save from the Cheltenham keeper. All in all a point each was a fair result. It was a hard fought and entertaining game which was a good advertisement for womens football.