Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully still chase runners up spot
3rd May 2007
Cully travelled to Penzance on Thursday for an evening kick off which saw an exciting, but ill-tempered match, that bizarrely ended goaless. The point however was a valuable one that leaves Cully needing a win in thier last game, again against Penzance, to secure runners up spot in the league.
The big pitch suited Cully who attacked well down the flanks and looked threatening when spreading the ball wide. Winger Jess Hooper constantly outpaced and outskilled her winger to creat chances and provide crosses for strikers Goughy (Laura Gough) and Rachel Javan. The pace of both strikers threatened the Penzance defence but Cully lacked the killer touch in front of goal. The first half midfield partnership of Curly (Catherine Wright) and Josie Copp was strong, with tackles and headers being won by the duo. The first 45 minutes lacked any clear chances, shots from Jess, Curly, Goughy and Josie all going wide. The visitors were forced into a substitution just before half time when Rachel suffered a nasty back injury when unfairly challenged by Penzance defender Sammy Platts. A straight swap saw Angie Pope come on to partner Goughy as the second striker. Pope almost made a telling contribution to the game when she headed home a corner from Curly, the goal however was dissallowed as the ref blew for half time as the ball was mid flight.
Both teams attacked with more venom in the second half, with the points and a win in their sights. With more attacking play it was up to the Cully defence to snuff out the Penzance chances. Bucky (Karen Buck), Becky Maunder and Chrissy Daniels marked well and Kerry Powell-Tuckett as sweeper was, as always, there to cover when needed. The Cully attack continued to look dangerous and chances were created. An early shot from Curly just inside the box, hit the post and rebounded out to safety. Cully went all out for a goal and peppered the goal with more shots, Goughy the next to see her shot hitting the woodwork. Penzance attacked well from the back and turned defence into attack quickly and effectively. They also used their wingers to add width. Bucky on the left and Chrissy on the right, supported well by their wingers thwarted them on many occassions. Curly was a whisker away from making it nine goals in six games when the woodwork again denied Cully the lead. A handball on the edge of the area gave Curly the opportunity of a strike at goal, her low shot thundered past the wall, left the defender and keeper helpless but rattled the post and back into play. The ball fell to Bucky on the edge of the area, who shot with her left as she was closed down. The deflection from the defender saw the ball loop into the air and onto the top of the cross bar. Chrissy made way for Redders (Emma Redwood) midway into the second half, she slotted well into midfield and Josie dropped back into the defence. As Penzance attacked the defence held firm and Max Coupe was on her toes dominating her box and collecting the through balls over the top.
The game then took a turn for the worse when a few players from both teams lost their heads and discipline. A contested decision was contested by Goughy and the ref produced a yellow card, within seconds Goughy was on the recieving end of a nasty tackle and appeared to be struck off the ball. As players remonstrated and tried to prevent Goughy from retaliating a Penzance player ran on to the pitch from the subs bench and became involved unecessarily. As she appeared to raise her hands to Goughy she was shown a red card for violent conduct. Both captains were then quite rightly addressed and asked to calm their players, unfortunately though within minutes Jess Hooper was maliciously hacked down as she attacked on the wing. No card was shown so Pope, incensed by the tackle, pushed the guilty player in the back. The referee had a clear view of this incident and produced a straight red card, again for violent conduct. The last fifteen minutes saw Cully look for the winner, but also defend in numbers as Penzance tried to take advantage of the extra player. An uncharacteristic mistake in defence by captain Copp saw the Penzance striker one on one with just Max to beat. Max, quickly off her line, made herself big and the shot went high over the bar. Another chance was superbly tipped over the bar by Max as she stopped a powerful shot from close range. The resultant corner saw her punch the ball clear and free of danger. Curly as ever ran endlessly and linked up well with Redders who threatened as soon as she came on. Both had shots on goals, crosses came in from the wings but Penzance defended in numbers and smothered the chances. Neither team deserved to lose but perhaps Penzance will feel more relieved to secure a point as the were saved by the woodwork on several occassions.
If the reverse fixture next week produces a winner the three points will make either Cully or Penzance runners up in the league. An exciting prospect for both teams who will look to finish the season on a high. We hope it will produce a more sporting encounter than Thursday where some heads were lost, and marred a game that should have been remembered for the action on the ball not off it.