Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully Secure 3 Points
Poole Town 1 v Cully 3
9th Sept
Cully made an excellent start to the season winning their first league game away to the newly promoted Poole. Cullompton came away 1v3 winners thanks to a solid first half performance that saw the girls score all their goals in the first 35 minutes.
The management and players faced the unknown quantity of their opponents as a team new to the league. A few unavoidable absences saw Cully travel to Dorset with only 12 players, and the substitute Beccy 'Monkey' Mitchell being 'forced' into borrowing a pair of boots to make her debut. Emma 'Redders' Redwood bravely volunteered to wear the GK gloves in Maxines absence and was very unlucky not to keep a clean sheet on her debut between the sticks. League debuts were also made by Sam Bell, Kaylee Symons and Emma Jones who were keen to continue with the excellent form they showed in the pre-season games. The rest of the side lined-up in familiar positions with Karen 'Bucky' Buck and Kerry Powell-Tuckett at left and right full-backs respectively, Jess Hooper, Catherine 'Curly' Wright and Josie Copp in midfield, Angie Pope and Kim Betlam up front.
Cully made a formidable start taking the lead on 5 minutes. Having soaked up early pressure and confident start by the home side Cully scored with their first attack. Flicked on just outside the area by Copp the ball was chased down by striker Kim, she won the battle with the defender and turned provider to fellow striker Pope. Although not a solid connection the accuracy of her shot saw the ball beat the keeper.
The home side responded positively and showed they were a well organised team and attacked in numbers through the midfield. They looked dangerous on the ball and had speedy wingers who tested Bucky and Kerry in defence. Redders dominated her defensive area and acted as sweeper and keeper when called upon. Cully battled hard on a hot afternoon and when they attacked they looked threatening and stretched the Poole defence. The second goal came after a swift move down the left. From defence to attack Jess delivered an excellent ball across the box, this evaded Kim by inches as she slid in but arrived at Emma Jones' right foot, she finished clinically from close range. Strikers Betlam and Pope caused the Poole defence innumerable problems as they chased and battled for all the loose balls and crosses.
Emma Jones linked up well with her right back Kerry and several times their exchanges of passes saw Kerry shooting from the edge of the box. The third goal came on 35 minutes, when Angie Pope scored her second of the game. A clearance from defence by Bucky inadvertently flicked on by a Poole defender. Pope chased the ball as the keeper came out, a brave challenge and some silky skills saw her come away with the ball and finish clinically from 15yds. Despite the scoreline Poole remained positive and attacked in numbers. In one such attack Kaylee bravely battled for a header just outside the Cully penalty box. A mistimed jump from the Poole right winger saw her head connect with Kaylee's right cheekbone. Massive swelling was immediate and Kaylee will be sporting a cracking shiner all week! She courageously played on until the half time break but unfortunately couldn't participate in the second 45. This enforced change saw Josie drop back into the back 4, Kim into midfield and debutant 'Monkey' Mitchell partnering Pope in attack.
Mitchell was unlucky not to score almost immediately on her debut as a cross from Jones on the right wing just evaded her and Jess as they ran in on the left. The second half was more evenly balanced as both sets of players tired and Cully failed to capitalise from their chances. Poole looked dangerous on the counter attack and continued to test the Cully defence. A Poole corner arrived dangerously in the 6 yard box but was collected safely by keeper Redwood. Poole were rewarded and scored on the counter-attack when they broke Cully's offside trap. The player that ran through and collected the ball was on-side and sped towards the goal. Bucky was unlucky not to get more of a connection on the ball as she ran back and tried a last ditch tackle. The Poole player then cooly rounded Redders and slotted the ball into an empty net.
A frantic 15 minutes then ensued as Poole pressed for a second. Josie and Sam stayed firm in central defence and Curly and Angie (now in central midfield) battled for every ball. Overall a promising first win for the girls who take a break from league action next week as they host visitors St Blazey in the F.A. Cup.