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Cully on top form

22nd March 2009

Cully secured another 3 vital points in their chase for the league title when they beat fellow title contenders Frome 2-0 at Speeds Meadow. On a perfect afternoon for football both sides entertained the large crowd in a game that could have swung either way as both teams squandered chances in the first 20 minutes.

Cully were quick out of the blocks and pressured the Frome defence with 2 or 3 early attacks. Josie was inches from rounding the keeper and finding an empty net but she was alert to her run and got a vital toe to the ball and cleared it to safety. After not capitalising on their early pressure Frome got back into the game and were inches away from taking the lead. They rattled the crossbar and the ball then fell to the Frome striker who hit it over the bar from close range. Two further chances followed in quick succession and Cully were grateful to wing back Rachel Javan for chasing back into the box and clearing one from the line and other away for a corner.

Lola was, as ever, dangerous in attack and with strike partner Josie causing problems with her height the Frome defence were being kept busy. Lola was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet when she bravely went in for 50-50 ball with the keeper. Curly threaded through a lovely ball over the defence and Lola's oace got her on the end of it. She got her head onto it and then was clattered by the keeper, the ball was heading towards the open goal but the defender got back well and cleared it off the line. Lola took the full opportunity of her next chance which was a move that was started by Max in goal. As Bucky headed it back to Max she quickly threw the ball and released Rachel on the left. Her powerful run took her into the middle and then released Lola with a perfect pass. Lola ran onto it, deftly took it round the keeper and on a narrow angle slid the ball into the net. On a high from the goal Cully attacked with purpose seeking a second. Rach was unlucky not to score but after a good run the ball landed on her weaker right foot and didn't trouble the keeper. Celine caused problems for the Frome defence with great pace and movement down the right, linking up well with Josie and they won a succession of corners.

From a second corner Curly crossed from the left, Josie's header was cleared as it went goalwards but fell back to Curly who lofted a ball back into the box. Mingo rose the highest and her header superbly lofted into the top corner of the net over the defender on the line. It was just reward for Mingo who had a storming first half sitting in front of the back 3 clearing everything that came her way. Not resting on their laurels Cully came out from the interval and pushed for a third. Curly and Jess were dominant in centre midfield and spread the play wide releasing Rach and Celine on the wings. Lola nearly made it 3 but her right foor finish went high after a great drilled cross from Curly. Gaffer switched keepers mid-way through the second half substituting Max who had a slight back injury and the omnicompetent Mingo switching back to wearing the gloves. Redders came on to sit in front of the back 3 assisting Sam, Jonesy and Bucky. Celine was the next Cully player who had a chance on goal. Josie made a great run into the box and as she drilled it across Celine knocked it over from close range. Jess was substituted a 70mins after running herself into the ground with a sound performance in midfield. She made way for Mandy who immediately got into the thick of it in midfield. With the game, and their chance of winning the league, slipping away Frome pushed more attackers forward but the defence, well organised by sweeper Sam Bell, stayed resolute and were determined not to make it a nervy last 15 minutes. Josie made way up front for Flo near to the end, as she picked up a leg injury which saw her limp off. All the Cully players kept the ball well in the last 5 mins with the possession that frustrated Frome and saw them to the whistle, safely securing 3 points. Next week sees another tough clash and the girls travel away to high-flyers Gloucester...another team in with a shout for the title.

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2006/07 Match Reports