Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully fight back to snatch 3 points
7th March 2009
Cully snatched all the points in a battling performance that saw them turn around a 2-0 deficit to win 2-3 in the dying minutes away to Larkhall Athletic. On a rain soaked pitch, and awful weather conditions the game was not exactly pretty but was more about winning the tackles and grinding out a result. Cully to their credit ran their hearts out an never gave up, getting their winner just before the 90 minutes were up. Following last week's excellent performance Cully started with the same 11 that played against Frome; the exception was Emma Redwood who was absent last week replacing Emma Mingo who was unavailable this week. Larkhall started the brighter and camped themselves in the Cully half and took advantage of a slight slope and the wind behind them. They won a succession of corners and soon made one count as they punished Cully for not clearing in the 6 yard box. The Larkhall midfielder poked home from close range leaving Max no chance. Spurred on their lead they continued to attack with Cully defence struggling to clear the ball in the awful conditions. Their second goal was more fortuitous as Larkhall took advantage of a mistake at the back. Sam Bell left the ball for Max to collect on her call, but in the wet goalmouth the ball didn't arrive in time and the striker snuck in between defender and keeper to slide in.
Cully needed a goal before half time and who else but top scorer Lola Garcia-Sanchez was on hand to start the fight back. Sam Bell took a free-kick on the half way line that was flicked on by Rachel Javan and Lola cooly slotted it into the corner. Gaffer provided a rallying half time talk and made a double substitution, Redders made way for Jess Hooper and Josie Copp came on for Flo Greensit. Rachel switched back into midfield and Josie partnered Lola up front. With the wind behind them Cully went on the attack immediately utilising the flanks where the pitch was less sodden and muddly. Rachel on the left and Celine Le Boyer on the right caused havoc and linked up well with the front two. Lola was unlucky not to score after being set up by Josie, her right foot shot just skimming the outside of the post. Jess soon got into the game linking up well with Curly in midfield and putting in some crunching tackles. The back 3 were more composed and kept the Larkhall strikers quiet for the early exchange in the second half. Curly was forced off the pitch through injury and Emma Jones came on. Lola and Josie up front put the Larkhall defenders under constant pressure and shooting on sight; Josie also saw a shot go just wide of the post.
Cully never gave up and Celine was the prime example of this, attacking on the wing but also fighting back to help the defence and it was deserving that she got the equaliser. Josie crossed in from the left after receiving the ball from Rachel, it fell to Celine whose shot was soft but squirmed in through the keeper's legs. Cully pushed on for the winner and took advantage of the time that Larkhall had wasted when 2-1 up. Lola was instrumental in the winner and her never say die attitude meant she chased every ball even if she didn't look favourite. On this occasion Celine and Lola exchanged passes on the right and Lola crossed a dangerous ball into the box. Mandy Earle lost her marker and leapt to meet the ball in the air. Her sublime header looped over the keeper and into the net. The elation was obvious to see as every player bar Max in goal ran to mob Earle and celebrate. Even chairman Bill was seen to dance a jig in the dug-out. With just 5 minutes of injury time left to play Larkhall obviously attacked in numbers, searching for an equaliser. The defence stayed firm and well supported by the midfield 5, Larkhall couldn't find a way through. Cully had the last chance of the game and nearly made it 2-4 but were thwarted by excellent Larkhall defending. Josie rounded the keeper but her shot was saved by excellent defending on the line as Lola looked to follow in on the rebound the keeper got back to her feet and tipped it around the post. Cully were relieved to hear the final whistle and were congratulated by Gaffer for a battling team performance, next week's game sees Cully play Bristol Uni at home.