Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully in Devon Cup Final
20th Feb 2009
Cully set up another cup final date with holders Plymouth Argyle when they swept past Old Suttonians in the semi-final. On a windswept pitch at Staddiscombe in Plymouth, Cully ground out a result more than playing their usual passing footy and faced a determined Suttonian side. The pitch was wet and boggy in places and the wind also prevented a "pretty" game for the spectators to see. Cully got off to the ideal start scoring within the first 5 mins. A stunning 35 yard free-kick from dead ball specialist Curly (Catherine Wright) left the keeper floundering as it flew over her head. Settled by the early lead Cully attacked with earnest and set up several more chances before they extended the lead on 15 minutes. Celine Le Boyer made a great run down the right crossed perfectly across the keeper leaving Rachel Javan well positioned for a left foot tap as Lola Garcia Sanchez left it after after the call from Rach.
Old Suttonians to their credit didn't let their heads drop and tried to take advantage of the wind that was behing them. Ex-Cully player Kayleigh Symons was having an excellent game in midfield and was often found trying to set up the two home-side strikers. The back 3 of Kerry Powell-Tuckett, Karen Buck and Sam Bell stayed firm and organised well to thwart most chances. The stikers breached defence on one occasion but the young forward shot wide as Emma Mingo came out and narrowed the angle.
It remained 2-0 at half time and Gaffer made his first substitution and reverted 4-4-2 for the second 45 minutes. The wind was a huge advantage and the players were afforded more opportunity to pass the ball. Emma Jones came on at left back and Jess Hooper came off for a deserved rest. Celine reverted to right wing and linked up well with right back Kerry stretching the Sutts defence. The home-side defended well and the keeper kept her team in with a string of fine saves. Curly nearly doubled her tally with yet another perfect free-kick but saw it rebound from the underside of the woodwork and Rachel following up scooped it over the bar. Lola then put the game beyond reach with a deserved goal; kicking into the wind the goal kick fell straight to Lola who chipped it perfectly back over the keeper into the net. Flo Greensit then came on for Redders in a straight switch in midfield and soon after Max Coupe came on for Mandy Earle. Both substitution had an almost immediate effect as the players soon made their mark. Flo lined up well with Emma Jones and Rachel attacking down the left and Max within minutes of getting on the pitch. From a Lola corner Max jumped high and headed goalwards, her effort was cleared off the line but after two failed attempts to clear it, fell to Max on the edge of the 6 yard box who made no mistake with her left foot. Rachel got her second after a one two with Bucky who broke out of defence. Rachel finished clinically chipping the keeper from the left edge of the penalty area. Lola got goal number 6 and her 26th goal in her last 7 games! Set up by Flo she disected the defence and poked the ball under the keeper. Curly, Kerry and Celine ran the Sutts defence ragged in the last 20 minutes attacking dwn the right and used the wind advantage to provide telling crosses. It was a cross from the left though that provided the 7th and final goal Max completing a brace of goals in an excellent subs performance. Rachel broke down the left and her pin-point cross was met by Max with a spectacular diving header. Cully face another away game next week with undoubtedly their most important fixture of the season so far as they travel to title contenders Frome.