Cullompton Rangers LFC
League v Gloucester
5th Nov 2006
Sharon steals the show!
Rachel Javan (a.k.a Sharon Osbourne!!) played her first league game of the season, returning from injury in the top of the table encounter. She proved to be a force to be reckoned with! Cullompton entertained Gloucester City, who were unbeaten going into todays game. Both teams were aware how crucial the game was, and even the league secretary showed up to watch two of the teams in contention for the title.
Cullompton started the game brightly, and settled well into their 3-5-2 formation. The strength in midfield was evident with Curly (Catherine Wright), Jamie Schofield and Titch (Laura Carpenter) winning possession and playing it out wide to Leanne Griffiths and Chrissy Daniels. Rachel Javan got back into her stride quickly and caused Gloucester defenders problems from the whistle. Linking up well with her strike partner Goughy (Laura Gough), they both had shots on target and tested the Gloucester keeper in the first 15 minutes.
The breakthrough came soon after, Rachel got her first league goal of the season. Max Coupe threw the ball early to Chrissy, who ran with it down the right, finding Goughy on the edge of the area. From a narrow angle Goughy turned and her shot struck the base of the post. The luck favoured the home side as when the ball came off the post it came straight out to an unmarked Javan who tapped the ball over the line. 1-0.
Cully continued to pressurise, and dominated the possession. Titch sitting in front of the back three of Josie Copp, Bucky (Karen Buck) and Kerry Powell-Tuckett, saw a lot of the ball, winning tackles and finding her team mates with short sharp passing. The lead was extended in the 34th minute, Josie won the ball in defence and found Titch. After a short run Titch laid the ball off to Rachel. With her back to goal, and the ball at her feet, she spun the defender and unleashed a low shot into the corner of the net leaving the keeper no chance. Playing confidently with their lead Cully continued to dominate and had further chances to extend thier lead. After good passing between Curly and Goughy, Leanne found herself with a good opportunity just inside the box....but her shot went narrowly over the bar. Rachel was unlucky not to score a first half hat-trick after good build up play on the left from Leanne and Bucky. A first time cross from Bucky saw Rachel dart in-front of her defender, her header went just wide of the post.
Cullompton were then punished just before half-time as they got caught in possession in midfield. Gloucester broke quickly and found themselves with more attackers than Cully had defenders. Two quick passes resulted in an excellent shot on the edge of the box, which just beat Max as she dived to her right. Cully were disappointed to be leading by only one goal at the interval, but came out strong in the second half after a productive team talk from the Gaffer and coach, Richard. Inevitable Gloucester came out strong, looking for the equaliser, but could find no way through the Cully defence with the back three working well and Max having a solid game. The gaffer brought on new wing backs midway through the second half, with Kim Betlam and Jess Hooper replacing Chrissy and Leanne. With fresh legs the impetus returned to Cully, who attacked brightly down the flanks and wore down the Gloucester defence.
Cullys third goal came midway through the second half. Captain Curly, who ran tirelessly all game, won the ball in midfield and passed the ball across goal. Gabby, who had just been introduced in place of Jamie Schofield, played a neat step-over leaving the ball for Titch behind her. Titch made no mistake as she fired an unstoppable shot from 25 yards...it flew past the keeper into the top corner of the net. Cully then put the game out of reach with a fourth goal shortly after. Another well worked move saw Jess complete the scoring from close range. From defence Kerry passed to Kim on the right, who made a darting run into the corner. She put in a pin point cross, finding Jess at the far post who volleyed it in.
The last 5 minutes saw a slight change of formation as Josie played up front. After a knock on her ankle from a challenge, the Gaffer took no chances and removed her from defence. She caused the Gloucester defenders problems immediately as she played like her hero Crouchy, hassling defenders in the air and on the ground. Josie was unlucky not to add to the score when she saw her diving header go just wide. The only disappointment for the Gaffer came late on, when he heard his beloved Arsenal had been beaten by the mighty Hammers....in response he threatened to drop avid fan Bucky from next weeks game! The Gaffer and Richard, along with Chairman, Bill, congratulated the girls on an all round team performance. The team travel away to Bristol next week to play another tough fixture against the University.