Cullompton Rangers LFC
Curly score 7
Cully 7 v Poole 1
11th Nov
Cully completed the double over Poole Town, beating them 7-1 at Speeds Meadow to stay top of the league. Despite the scoreline Cully were frustrated by a gutsy Poole team, and the home side played well below their ability. Poole were plagued by injuries and non-availability which saw them travel to Devon with a depleted team. Cully also had a few injuries, and the Gaffer was forced to make a few changes to the starting line up. Karen 'Bucky' Buck returned from midfield to play in the back three, replacing injured Kaylee Symons and joining Sam Bell and Kerry Powell-Tuckett. The ever-present and influential Josie Copp was unwell and thus unable to play a whole match, as such she started on the bench. The midfield 5 saw Emma 'Jonesy' Jones on the left, Jess Hooper, Catherine 'Curly' Wright and Angie Pope in the middle and Kim Betlem on the right. In form duo Rachel Javan and Emma 'Redders' Redwood started up front. A welcome return from Becky Maunder, on a break from University, strengthened the Gaffers options on the bench.
Cully started well, playing the ball to feet on a windy afternoon, but were frustrated when trying to find the final ball through as Poole played the offside trap well. The first goal was soon to come when Rach tapped in from close range after good play by Kim and a cross from Redders on the right. Cully attacked straight from the restart, but couldn't find the clinical finish in front of goal as they wasted chance after chance. Poole tried to attack and put the pressure onto Cully but struggled with only one player up front, who was easily controlled by the Cully back three. Cully made it 2-0 after twenty minutes when Kim crossed accurately to find Redders on the edge of the 6 yard box, she finished well from close range. Bucky missed a glorious chance to get her first goal of the season as she shot straight at the keeper despite having time and space in the box. Kim made a great run from the halfway line, but her finishing touch also let her down as she shot past the post from close range. Cully did make it 3-0 just before half time when Rachel got her second goal with a clinical left foot finish. A great pass from Jess found Rachel in space, who made no mistake with a strong and accurate shot. Poole finished the half strongly, putting the home sides defence on the back foot. Good attacking play on the right won them a corner, but no clear chance on goal materialised. After a strong half time team talk Cully knew they had to perform considerably better and lift their game. Curly and Jess were playing well and controlling the midfield, linking up effectively and supplying the forwards, but a combination of good defending and goalkeeping prevented Cully from increasing their lead. It was then very much against the run of play that Poole pulled a goal back. A free kick was awarded about 35 yds out and a speculative shot come pass was played towards the Cully goal, the ball bounced in front of Max, who unfortunately spilled it as she looked up into the sun, and couldn't retrieve it as it fell into the back of the net. This spurred the Cully girls back into action, determined to win possession and find the finishing touch required.
Curly made it 4-1 when she scored from close range, a cross from Bucky on the left was nodded down by Angie Pope and finished by Curly. The Gaffer then made a double substitution swapping Josie and Becky for Kim and Rachel. Becky went out on the right wing, Josie into centre midfield, allowing Pope to join Redders up front. Angie should have made it 5-1, but hit the bar with her right foot shot. Shortly after this Jess had a good shot saved by the keeper. Josie soon dominated in midfield, Poole finding it difficult to deal with her strength and ball control. She played a part in the fifth goal when she took control of the ball and played in Jess on the left. Jess drew the keeper off her line and cleverly played the ball back to Pope. This time Pope made no mistake and drilled the ball accurately into the back of the net. Kaylee came off the bench replacing Emma Jones and the Gaffer reverted to 4-4-2. With more width in defence Bucky and Kerry took full advantage attacking down the wings. Kerry was unlucky not to score when she made a powerful run down the right, playing a one-two with Becky Maunder on the edge of the box. As she went to shoot she was closed down by a defender, which took the power off the shot. Becky Maunder made it 6-1 when she outwitted the keeper with a cross come shot, after linking up with Kerry on the right she lofted a ball over, leaving the keeper stranded and the ball dropped into the back of the net. Josie scored the final goal which she richly deserved. Having picked up the ball on the edge of the box she took it past two players and thundered a shot into the roof of the net. Cully will clearly be doing shooting practice at training on Thursday, and hope to use it to good effect against Okehampton in next weeks County Cup tie.