Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully Survive Cup Scare
Cully v Exeter Uni
20th Jan
Devon Cup holders Cully Rangers were seconds away from exiting at the quarter final stage after a thrilling encounter with Exeter Uni. Cully were saved by a Kim Betlam strike four minutes into injury time, which took the game to extra time.
Exeter Uni produced an excellent performance, determined to avenge the double that Cully completed over them in the league and were a whisker away from producing a cup upset.
Due to injuries and unavailability Cully had the bare 11, but nonetheless a strong team that were determined to reach the semi-final of the cup. A familiar line up in defence supported the midfield 5, which welcomed Mandy Earle in the centre and Emma 'Redders' Redwood played the lone striker for the first half. Playing into the strong wind in the first half Cully dominated early possession and created several chances. Wingers Kim and Rachel Javan stretched the Uni full-backs and provided some dangerous crosses. One such ball from Rachel on the left was met at pace by Mandy Earle whose header went agonisingly over the bar. Mandy was causing problems for the Uni defence and linking up well with Josie in centre midfield and found herself one on one with the keeper a few minutes later. Mandy placed the ball into the corner but the Uni keeper pulled off a great save to deny her. The Uni girls were lifted by this goal and put more pressure on the Cully goal from half time. The Uni captain had an opportunity to extend the lead but she was pressured by Bucky as she released her shot and Max tipped it around the post.
In the second half the Gaffer reverted to 4-4-2, with Rachel doubling the power in attack. This seemed to have a positive impact and with the wind now behind them Cully created several chances early in the half. Jess Hooper, now playing as orthodox left winger, was unstoppable on the flank, convincingly beating her opponent and causing problems. It was just the finishing touch that evaded Cully, Redders and Rach both coming close to getting the equaliser. However as the visitors pushed for an equaliser the Uni extended their lead and made it 2-0 in the 65th minute. Kaylee and Bucky were under pressure at the back and after making sliding tackles the ball broke to a Uni attacker. Max came out to try and avert the danger but the Uni player took it past her skillfully and shot towards an empty net. Sam sprinted back and as she was about to clear the ball off the line it hit the post and deflected straight to a Uni player who bundled it in from close range.
The defending champions had 25 minutes to keep their cup alive. With nothing to lose Kaylee joined the attack and Cully played 3-4-3. With 15 minutes to go Cully pulled one back when Jess got a deserved goal from a cracking left footed strike high into the net. This set up a frantic finale as Cully pushed for the equaliser. Chance after chance went begging, a combination of great defending and poor finishing. In the last 5 minutes Cully won a succession of corners which even saw Max venture into the Uni penalty area searching for the equaliser. It seemed like the home side had done enough and were about to be rewarded for an excellent team performance. The time ebbed away for Cully and at the same time their grip on the cup, but in the 4th and final minute of injury time Kim came to the rescue. Played in by Rach on the edge of the box Kim powered towards goal and fired a low hard shot into the corner leaving the keeper stranded and the Uni girls in disbelief.
Just seconds after the re-start the final whistle blew and extra time was to be the decider. The Cully girls knew how close they had been to losing and were determined not to throw away the chance they had been given. They started extra time confidently and showed good movement and passing. They scored taking them in front for the first time in the match. A ball over the top was chased, as ever, by Rachel and despite being under pressure from a defender and the on-coming keeper she cooly slotted the ball into the corner.
The relief was evident and gave the girls confidence as they pressed for another. Just before the interval Redders put the game beyond reach as she applied a clinical finish in front of goal. The second half of extra time saw Cully keep possession of the ball, in the corners deep in the opponents half or where-ever they found an opportunity. The Uni girls can count themselves as extremely unlucky and the holders ever so lucky in what proved to be an entertaining and nervy game for players and supporters alike. Cully return to league action next week versus Cheltenham at Speeds Meadow.