Cullompton Rangers LFC
Redders brace secures 3 points
Cully 2 v Gloucester City 1
21st Oct
Cully returned to league action today and secured 3 vital points when they narrowly beat Gloucester 2-1 at Speeds Meadow. Returning to action a fortnight after their painful cup exit against Penzance the girls were determined to get their game back on track and win the precious league points. As they say..."It was a game of two halves!". Cully were on fire for the first 45, but for the second spent most of their time camped in their own half as Gloucester battled for a share of the points. A familiar 4-4-2 formation and the same starting line-up that started against Penzance saw Cully start the game brightly and look hungry in all areas. On form striker Emma Redwood looked dangerous from the off and was complemented excellently by strike partner Rachel Javan. Wingers Kim Betlem and Jess Hooper were afforded time and space on the flanks and supported their forwards well. The first goal came after 15 minutes, and was nothing less than the home side deserved. The ball was won by Karen 'Bucky' Buck on the left, who played it down the left to Rach, she beat her defender and crossed the ball to Redders who finished clinically with the side of her foot.
Kim was the next to pressure the Gloucester goal, after a slick move from Josie Copp and Catherine 'Curly' Wright in the middle Kim hit a strong shot just over the bar. Gloucester tried to pressure when the had the ball but their possession was kept to a minimum as Cully were dominant in midfield. Josie and Curly won every header and tackle and then passed the ball well to create attacks. Jess and Kim attacked with promise on their wings, winning several corners as their crosses were blocked. Max Coupe was very much a bystander in the first half, as the defence snuffed out any chances Gloucester created. Sam Bell and Bucky prevented the wingers from creating chances, and in the centre Kaylee Symons and Kerry Powell-Tuckett won their tackles and headers clearing any danger coming through the middle.
With much of the possession and neat passing, which Gloucester couldn't match, the second goal was inevitable and came on 30 minutes. The ball was won in midfield and Rach dropped deep, demanding the ball. With her back to goal she turned her defender and slotted through a perfect pass to Redders. She made no mistake as she confidently placed the ball through the keepers legs, taking her tally to 11 goals in four and a half games. Cully played out an excellent first half with football of the highest standard. However it was to be a vastly different second half as Gloucester showed their skill and determination, proving them to be a team capable of more than their display in the first half. With this Cully lost their composure and started the half tentatively. The home side struggled to keep possession and string any passes together as they were put under pressure by a rejuvinated Gloucester team. Kerry saved a certain goal as she clear superbly off the line from a header at a Gloucester corner. Max was then called into action and a speculative come shot from the Gloucester right back 40yds out was well watched and tipped over the bar as it looked like it would dip in. The Cully defence were grateful of any breather as they were bombarded with attacking play early in the second half. Cully too had their chances, Jess and Curly both denied a place on the scoresheet. Jess got onto the end of a cracking cross from Kim and her left footed strike thundered against the bar. A few minutes later Curly met a cross from right back Sam, her header going inches past the post.
The last 20 minutes were all about Gloucester and how defiant the Cully defence were. Jess ran herself into the ground and was replaced on the left by sub Emma Jones. Max saved superbly from a Glocuester shot, and as the ball spilled out Kaylee was on hand with a last ditch tackle denying a tap in. Max was unable to do anything about the Gloucester goal as they pulled one back to set up a frantic last 15 minutes. A cross from the left was headed away by Bucky but only to the feet of a Gloucester player who finished well on the half volley from 10yds. The defence were determined to stay strong, and the whole team fought endlessly to keep their lead. Gloucester were lifted by their goal and went all out for an equaliser. They were denied this twice before the final whistle as Cully hung on by a thread. Max was on cracking form and again prevented a Gloucester equaliser as the away team broke the offside trap. It was attacker v Max, who came out and narrowed the angle stopping the shot by diving to her right. The ball fell to the feet of another attacker pushing forward, who looked for a certain tap-in from 5 yds out. Somehow Bucky managed to get back and clear the ball off the line as she clattered into the post. It was a frantic last few minutes but Cully regained some composure, Jones and Javan holding the ball well on the left winning a free kick. This was kept in the corner by Curly and Redders as the clock counted down to the final whistle. Cully were well aware they must improve on their second half performance if they are to be true title contenders this season. Next weeks game sees the girls away to Larkhall athletic in the league.