Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully hit 7
Cully 7 v Uni of Exeter 0
23rd Sept
Cully returned to league action yesterday when they played away to Exeter Uni and came away convincing winners with a 7-0 scoreline. With freshers week starting the Uni girls were keen to play a morning match in order that they get good seats at the Raddy.... Cully were happy to oblige and the game kicked off at 11am.
Maxine Coupe returned in goal, allowing Redders to move to her more favoured position as striker. The defence was unchanged for the 3rd consecutive game with only 1 goal conceded. A familiar midfield saw Jess Hooper and Emma Jones on the left and right wing respectively and in the centre the formidable Catherine `Curly' Wright and Josie Copp. Rachel Javan partnered Emma `Redders' Redwood upfront.
The girls weren't phased by the earlier kick-off and dominated the game at Topsham from start to finish. On an excellent playing surface the visitors started brightly and put the students under pressure. Controlled and patient build up play saw Cully with a lot of possession in the first ten minutes and they took the lead after a mix-up in the Uni 6 yard box. After failing to clear from a corner Cully hassled the defence and as the defender struck the ball it deflected off Redders' knee into the goal.
The second goal was scored after 25 minutes when Redders was again on target, this being more clinical than the 1st! A move down the left started from defence saw Jess feed Javan who shot from the edge of the box. Her strike was saved but spilled by the keeper and Redders pounced slotting it home. The girls had plenty more chances but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score at 2. Cully continued to be patient and some excellent passing and moving was pleasing to watch and encouraged the girls. Kerry Powell-Tuckett linked up well with Jones on the right and the first half saw lots of attacking play from both players, testing the keeper with several shots on target. Josie was unlucky not to score as the first half came to a close. She picked up the ball in the centre circle and after beating 3 players she squared up to shoot but a last gasp tackle from the defender halted her run.
During the break Kim Betlam replaced Jones in a straight swap at half-time and the visitors started dominating the play and possession once again. Central defenders Kaylee Symons and Sam Bell had little to do but when called upon were alert and confident. With time and space on the ball the play switched from side to side with full backs Karen `Bucky' Buck and Kerry playing in more advanced roles supporting the midfield. Several shots rained down on the Uni keeper who was having an excellent game and frustrating the Cully players. It was evident the quality of the efforts woult have to improve if they were to add to their tally and they didn't disappoint with 5 excellent goals in the second half.
Kim started confidently and her pace and strength down the right won a corner. Exeter cleared the initial cross but only back to Curly whose superb ball was deftly flicked on by Javans head into the corner of the net. Jess was unlucky not to get on the scorebook on several occassions when her shots were well saved. However she turned provider for the 4th which saw Redders get her hat-trick. Having made a strong run down the left Jess played the ball inside to Redders whose shot from the edge of the box thundered the underside of the bar and into the net. There was no rest for the Uni keeper as shots from Curly, Kerry, Bucky and Kim were all on target. Javan put all her efforts into the first 65 minutes and the felt the effects of her 3 month holiday in the States, so was rested to allow Bex Mitchell her 3rd consecutive run out.
Josie made it 5-0 with a sweet strike from 25yds. Sheer power and accuracy left the keeper unable to reach the ball as Josie's shot flew into the top of the net. With the weather a bit blustery and continuous drizzle Max was getting cold in goal and as an ex-striker was itching to show her skills outfield. With Redders happy with her hat-trick and now confirmed as being Max's deputy in goal they swapped positions. The Uni initially thought this was a gimmick until Max showed her skills and experience. It was no surprise that she was the scorer of the 6th, and arguably the best, goal of the game. Kim contested a ball in the air with a Uni defenderand as it came down over Max's left shoulder she hit the ball on the turn with her left foot and the volley screamed into the back of the net. Bex Mitchell was unlucky not to get her first ever goal for Cully when her shot went inches wide of the post. Jess and Bucky broke down the left and a one-two gave Bucky the opportunity to shoot just inside the box. Her shot was going across goal when Mitchell steered it towards the near post to wrong foot the keeper, but it went agonisingly wide.
Josie completed the scoring just before the end when her speculative shot nicked inside the far post. A lofted ball from an acute angle near to the touchline bent in evading the keeper and going in off the post. The Uni girls fought for 90 minutes and played with tenacity and great humour. Cully were pleased with their range of passing and effective build up play which they will take forward into next weeks match when they take another break from league action to host Taunton in the FA Cup. 2pm kick off at Speeds Meadow.