Cullompton Rangers LFC
Penzance progress in cup thriller
Cully 3 v Penzance 3 A.E.T Cully 2 v Penzance 4 pens
7th Oct
Penzance came away winners in a 6 goal spectacular at Speeds Meadow, seeing them progress into the 1st round proper after winning 2-4 on pens after extra time. Cully can rue missed chances and thier inability to hold the lead, and Penzance take credit for their never say die attitude which saw them claw their way back into the game on 3 occasions. Spectators at Speeds Meadow were treated to a magnificent show of womens football which saw every twist and turn over the 2 hours.
Cully started 4-4-2 with a few tactical changes by the Gaffer. Kerry Powell-Tuckett moved into the centre of defence alongside Kaylee Symons, with Sam Bell switching to right full back. Karen `Bucky' Buck remained in her familiar left full-back position. Kim Betlem started on the right wing with the rest of the midfield remaining the same with Catherine `Cur;y' Wright, and Josie Copp in the centre and Jess Hooper on the left. On form Emma `Redders' Redwood was partnered by Rachel Javan who shook off her injury that saw her miss last weeks game. Emma Jones, Mandy Earle and Beccy Mitchell were the subs for the home side.
The first half saw few chances, both teams cancelling each other. The visitors right winger came close to scoring for Penzance when, after a penetrating run, she drilled her shot over the bar. Kim Betlem had the clearest opportunity for Cully when she headed a cross from Jess straight to the keeper. Kim then injured herself in a tackle just before half time and was substituted at the interval, Emma Jones replacing her on the right.
Cully made the breakthrough on 50 mins with a stunnning header that left the keeper rooted to the spot. Curly exchanged the ball with Jess on the left before Curly struck a perfect cross which was met by Redders on the run. Her header whipped past the keeper into the corner of the net. The Cully defence managed to keep Penzance at bay for a large period of the second half as they pressed forard searching for an equaliser. The midfield ran endlessly and provided excellent support for the defence and attack. Jess ran herself into the ground, constantly running back and supporting left back Bucky as they faced the pacey Penzance right winger. Jess was subbed for Mandy Earle after 65 mins.
In the last 15 minutes both teams had chances in front of goal. Redders was unlucky not to score when she was one on one with the keeper, as she went to place the ball in the corner the keeper made an excellent save with her legs. Maxine Coupe made a stunning save denying Penzance when a cross come shot looped over from the right wing and looked as if it was going to sneak in until Max tipped it over the bar. Rach had an opportunity to make it 2-0 near the end as she ran onto a through ball from Josie. She neatly chipped the keeper but the ball went agonisingly inches past the post. As it seemed that Cully would scrape a 1-0 win Penzance levelled the score on 85 minutes. The home side failed to pick up all the Penzance attackers and as the throw-in came across the box the Penzance player finished neatly with a left foot half volley.
Both teams however were not finished and both pressed for the winner to try and avoid extra-time. Curly, who put in a strong, gritty display in midfield won the ball and carried it forward towards goal. She passed it through to Rachel who chased but the keeper who the race. When all the players seemed to stop as the keeper retrieved the ball Rachel never gave up and her hard work was rewarded as the keeper spilled it. The Cully forward pounced and knocked it into the empty net. That seemed to be the winner, the homeside scoring in the 90th minute but Penzance never gave up. In the last few seconds of injury time Penzance won a corner. Josie cleared the initial danger heading out of the box, however it fell to Julie Lawrence of Penzance who volleyed a magnificent shot into the corner of the net leaving Max no chance. Cully heads were down and as they took the kick off the ref blew the final whistle, and the game went to extra time.
Penzance started the brighter with the ascendency and belief after equalising with the last kick of normal time, however Cully dug deeply and the first half of extra time was goaless. In the first few minutes of the second half of extra time Cully took the game back to Penzance and pressed forward. The fresh legs on the wings of Emma Jones and Mandy Earle stretched the Penzance defence and created space for Rach and Redders. Cully were denied by the woodwork when Redders turned the defence and her shot rattled against the bar. She was not to be denied a few seconds later when she scored after fighting hard through the defence. She won the ball and evaded two tackles, then fired home from close range shooting high over the keeper. Penzance then showed amazing resilience as they equalised again straight from the kick-off. A cross from the right was met by the Penzance player who volleyed and scored magnificently with her left foot. With very tired players both teams struggled to create any more chances, Penzance looked to have superior fitness and having been on the back foot for much of normal time dominated the rest of extra time. However Cully fought on and the game went to penalties....a cruel way for a team to lose after such a cracking game but more entertainment for the spectators!
| 0-1 | Penzance took the first penalty and scored. |
| 1-1 | Bucky made it 1-1 from her spot kick. |
| 1-1 | Penzance missed their second, ball flying high over the bar. |
| 1-1 | Redders tooker her pen, well saved by keeper. |
| 1-2 | Penzance player cooly slotted pen into roof of net. |
| 2-2 | Sam Bell smashed pen into roof of net. |
| 2-3 | Penzance sub scored, Max unlucky as got a hand to it. |
| 2-3 | Rach shot wide |
| 2-4 | Penzance scored |
Cully drained and bitterly disappointed, but will learn from the game. No match next week, away to Gloucester in a fortnight.