Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully Tear Up the Form Book
County Cup Final v Plymouth Argyle
FT: 1-1, AET: 2-2, Penalties: 3-1 Cully.
24th April 2007
Plymouth Argyle versus Cullompton Rangers was the 2006-2007 ladies county cup final, played at the Devon County ground last night. Plymouth were looking for a record breaking 5th successive win in this competition and Cullompton seeking their first silver ware as a newly formed squad this season. The coach road pitch was looking spectacular, an excellent playing surface for this stage of the season. Argyle undoubtedly started as firm favourites currently lying second in the combination league compared to Cullys position in the SWWFL Premier - a league below Argyle. As we all know, league status counts for nothing in cup finals and the Cully girls went on to prove this with a spectacular win on penalties after extra time.
Cully made a nervy start with the defence initially finding it difficult to pick up the pacey strikers Kukor and Blake. Kukor had the first chance of the match, missing the target from 10 yards. The Argyle contingent in the crowd were vocal and expected a rout as their team dominated the early possession. Attempting to get an early touch and win possession the tackles were going in thick and fast, neither team holding back. Cully were penalised in one such challenge, and Argyle were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out. The Plymouth captain Katie Middleton, often deadly at set plays, stepped up to take the kick. Her powerful shot looked destined for the top corner, until Maxine Coupe plucked it out of the air into her hands. It was the wake-up call that Cully needed, and the girls started playing, taking the game to the opposition. Titch (Laura Carpenter) found Goughy (Laura Gough) out wide, who showed great pace running down the wing. She then cut inside and played in Curly (Catherine Wright) on the edge of the box. Curly's first time shot went agonisingly close but just past the far post.
Despite further good pressure from Cully it was Argyle who took the lead on 22 minutes. A well taken corner from Kay Lewis was met by an Argyle player whose accurate looping header left Max no chance. Argyle were now on the up, but credit to the Cully girls who fought back straight away. Kerry Powell-Tuckett at sweeper organised the defence well and the marking of the Argyle strikers was now much tighter. Josie Copp and Curly were winning the majority of tackles and headers in midfield and Cully looked threatening when the ball was played wide to wingers Jess Hooper and Goughy, who made use of their skill and pace.
Cully got a deserved equaliser 5 minutes before the interval, to set up a pulsating second half. High up the pitch Titch took a throw in and received the ball back from striker Angie Pope. She crossed in a high looping ball to the far post, causing panic in the Argyle defence. The cross was met by Jess, timing her run perfectly. She headed the ball down and goal bound, just to ensure it went over the line she followed in and thundered it into the net with her trusted left foot! The half ended well for the Cully girls with more pressure put upon the Argyle defence, with strikers Pope and Rachel Javan causing problems with their experience and speed respectively.
Cully started the second half brightly, taking the game to Argyle, the difference in league status was not evident. With Becky Maunder remaining in her recent vein of top form she allowed no time or space to the striker she was marking. With Titch doing the majority of the marking on the other Argyle forward this allowed more of a free role for Bucky (Karen Buck) on the left who linked up well with in-form winger Jess. After about 10 minutes of the second half the Gaffer made a few tactical changes. Titch moved into centre midfield, Josie back to sweeper and Kerry switched across to right back. Emma Redwood (Redders) came on for striker Pope, who ran herself into the ground and was carrying an injury that would have prevented your average player from even starting the game. Keeper Coupe, on fine form, was again the saviour for Cully as she tipped over a powerful header as it was thundered in at close range.
With the new impetus of Redders, cheered on by her crew of college mates in the crowd, and the pace of Goughy, Rach and Jess the game swung the way of Cully, who looked the most likely to score. When Plymouth did attack the back four were well organised and Josie dealt with everything thrown at her. Redders and Rach then played arguably the best move of the match. Curly winning the ball in midfield found Redders on her right. After skipping around 2 players she played a neat one-two with Rachel, and when receiving the ball back her side footed shot went just wide of the right hand post. With 20 minutes to go Bucky was replaced in defence by Leanne Griffiths, making a welcome return to the squad. Cully were pushing for a winner in normal time, with Jess looking dangerous on the left beating her defender for pace and cutting back inside. Argyle however were the side who had the best opportunity to win the game. A mistake in defence allowed an Argyle player a clear run on goal, with the Cully players chasing back Max came out and expertly smothered the goal bound shot. With 10 minutes remaining Titch was replaced with Chrissy Daniels, giving the side more fresh legs in case of extra time. With no more clear cut chances towards the end, the game went that way.
Extra Time
Despite some of the girls suffering from cramp and fatigue they ran and fought endlessly, every single one of them playing their part and keeping their heads. Redders continued to look dangerous, linking up well with Goughy and Chrissy. Rachel was then the one to get the breakthrough, running onto a ball from Curly. Her pace soon found her in the penalty area and as she turned inside to shoot on her left she was brought down and a penalty awarded. Under immense pressure vice-captain Curly took the unenviable responsibility with the spot kick. She unleashed a perfect penalty, hit with power and precision into the left corner of the net. The inevitable pressure then came from Plymouth in the second period of extra time. Cully players were being forced to swap positions due to injury, seeing Kerry up front and Goughy at right full-back. Despite this, both looked comfortable in their new roles, Kerry testing the defence and Goughy strong and clearing any danger. With just 5 minutes remaining, and with one hand on the cup Cully conceded a corner. Strong at set pieces, the Argyle equaliser was perhaps inevitable. Despite excellent defending throughout, Cully looked vulnerable at corners and another powerful header left Max with no chance. Both teams then had one last chance to win, and break the hearts of their opponents. An Argyle cross from the left evaded the defence and two Plymouth players were unmarked just inside the box. With tired legs one miscontrolled the ball, and as it fell to the other player she sliced her shot wide. With seconds remaining, Jess broke free from the half way line and somehow found the energy to dart forward. Rachel then took the ball, turned her marker on the edge of the box and her left footed shot missed the top corner by inches. Penalties were to be the deciding factor in an enthralling end to end game. The crowd were entertained and witnessed an excellent showpiece of women's football.....but the best was yet to come....
Penalty Shoot Out
Our praise must go the players who were brave enough to volunteer to take penalties, and to Max for being such an outstanding keeper that the Cully girls went into the shoot out confident that they would win.
First Pen: Argyle - Max dived to her right but saw the ball go down the middle, she somehow twisted her body and a strong left hand spectacularly kept the penalty out. (0-0)
Second Pen: Cully - Leanne, cool and confident stepped up and placed a cracking penalty top right. (0-1, Cully)
Third Pen: Argyle - Dead ball specialist and captain, Katie Middleton, thundered her shot high and down the middle. Despite nearly being taken into the goal by the power Max tipped the ball over the bar. (0-1)
Fourth Pen: Cully - Jess, despite struggling to walk the young winger confidently stepped up and crowned a fantastic performance with an accurate low shot. (0-2, Cully)
Fifth Pen: Argyle - Despite under great pressure the young Argyle player finished well, placing the ball high and right. (1-2, Cully)
Sixth Pen: Cully - Gough stepped up, another performance that deserved a goal. Without hesitation she drilled her kick to the keepers right, leaving her rooted to the spot. (1-3, Cully)
Seventh Pen: Argyle - The Cully girls and management all nervously collected in the centre circle were now aware that if Max saved the spot kick the cup was theirs! All but for Josie they were stood nervously on their toes, some facing the goal, some facing away. As the player took the penalty Max fittingly took the glory as she smothered the ball and capped her truly momentous game. Josie was nearly trampled on as the squad, finding unknown energy, all ran forward to bundle Max. A melee ensued near the goal mouth, as Cully deservedly celebrated their extraordinary win.
Celebrations were halted momentarily for the presentation, and prior to the collection of the cup Captain Josie Copp won the player of the match tankard for her outstanding display in midfield and defence. The girls collected their medals, including injured player Kim Betlam who was unfortunately sidelined last week but has made valuable contribution all season. The cup, handed over by Devon F.A. representatives Barry and Lee Hayward, was hoisted high by Cully Captain Josie. The celebrations again ensued. A proud and deserved moment for all involved, especially Gaffer Phill Tuckett and coach Dinger Dingle in the girls inaugural season. A special mention also to the chairman Bill who kicked every ball with the girls throughout the match and John for his excitable celebrations in the changing room after the game when presenting the bubbly. Also our thanks must go to Mr Redwood who kindly provided the coach transport and all the supporters whose voices were heard throughout. Photos of the game and celebrations will follow in due course.
Cully seek their second cup win this Sunday as they play league winners Yeovil in the Pat Sowden final at Saltash.