Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully lose title fight
2nd March 2008
Cully 0 v Larkhall 1
Cully are finally out of contention for the league title as they slipped to their second sucessive defeat, going down 0-1 at home to Larkhall. Cully can only win if other results go their way.
It was a similar story to last week with the girls having the majority of the possession but their finishing eluded them in front of goal. Larkhall proved to be an organised and determined team who battled for every ball and were rewarded for their efforts with the 3 points.
Cully started well and had a great deal of possession in the opposition half, but failed to carve out a clear chance in front of goal. Jess Hooper linked well with Karen 'Bucky' Buck on the left, this was mirrored on the right with Kim Betlem and Kerry Powell-Tuckett, but a well organised Larkhall defence kept them at bay. Curly (Catherine Wright) came the closest when her shot from long range went just wide of the post. Larkhall took the lead with one of few opportunities they had and were lethal when the chance came their way.
Sam Bell closed down a strong shot on goal and saw the ball hammer against the crossbar. As the ball came back into play the Larkhall striker beat Kaylee Symons to the rebound and volleyed an unstoppable sot into the roof of the net. This was the wake up call needed and Cully knew they had to be more ruthless in front of goal. Redders kept up her endless chasing and strike partner Rach Javan looked dangerous on the break. On one such attack Rach was unlucky not to get a clear run on goal as the ball got caught under her heels after a perfect through ball from Josie Copp. Kerry dominated the right side defending soldly and also looking dangerous in an advanced role up the pitch. Despite most of the play, Cully went in at half time a goal down.
The second half was played in the same vein as the first with Cully having plenty of the ball, but this time seeing more chances and making the away keeper work a little harder. Cully came within inches of scoring when the woodwork denied them an equaliser. A great move started by Curly in midfield saw Rach deliver a telling ball across the box, Redders slid in well but her touch went agonisingly onto the post and out to safety. With Cully chasing the game Gaffet brought on Mandy Earle with fresh legs replacing Jess on the left wing. Kim had the next chance for the home side but her shot went straight to the keeper. Cully then won a succession of corners and Rach had a great shot well charged down by a Larkhall defender.
The last 20 minutes saw another substitution and Gaffer sacrificing Kaylee in defence for a third striker with Angie Pope coming on. Cully went all out for a goal and it was inevitable Larkhall would try to punish them on the counter attack. Max kept Cully in the game on one such break with a spectacular one handed save. With the defence pushing high up the pitch and supporting their midfield, a ball over the top saw the Larkhall striker one on one with Coupe. She looked to put her shot into the corner but it was read well by Max whose strong outstretched hand pushed it wide.
The last clear cut chance for Cully to get on the scoresheet again saw Redders denied by the woodwork. Curly played in Redders on the edge of the box, whose lofted shot had the keeper stranded but struck the bar. It came out to Pope but her header was lacking power and dropped into the keepers arms. Cully battled to the end but were denied by a well organised and effective Larkhal team. Next week sees Cully travel to Penzance to try and get some valuable league points and a much needed run of form with the Devon Cup Final looming.