Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully score 8
Cully 8 v Stoke Lane Athletic 0
14th Sept 08
Cully kept up their excellent start to the season with a convincing 8-0 win against newly promoted Stoke Lane Athletic. Cully kept up their rich vein of scoring as well as producing their first clean sheet which capped an excellent team performance. Gaffer kept with the winning formation of 4-4-2, making a few personnel changes due to player availability at kick off. Max remained in goal with Emma Mingo playing outfield at left back and Celines Le Boyet's availability saw her at right back with Kerry Powell-Tuckett partnering Karen Buck in central defence. Again players adaptability was key and the girls started with great confidence, nearly scoring within the first attack of the game. Emma Redwood won the ball off the opposing team at their kick off and played in Angie with a great pass. As Angie set herself to shoot she was well tackled. Lola Sanchez then also had an early chance but put her shot just wide.
The Stoke girls then spurred into action attacking in numbers down their left side. After turning inside when Kerry slipped on the edge of the box the striker unleashed a strong shot but it was high and wide. It wasn't long before Cully did get on the scoresheet with the Sanchez-Pope strikeforce proving clinical. Mandy Earle played in Lola who took the ball to the edge of the box and went to curl a shot in to the top corner. This was initially met by the keeper but Angie Pope was on hand to pick up the rebound as she cleverly lobbed the ball over the keeper.
The Stoke goalie was soon called into action again when a through ball from Rachel Javan saw Lola running towards the ball at great speed. It was her versus the keeper for the ball but her pace saw her there first and just nick in on the edge of the box. The keeper just mis-timed and as Lola ran past she was brought down. A free-kick on the edge of the box and a yellow card was a fortunate outcome for the visitors. Lola was soon rewarded for her great start and tenacity. Bucky won the ball at the back and played a through ball to the strikers, Lola was the first to meet it, controlled it well and cooly slotted it into the corner of the net. Angie got her second and her teams third after excellent play down the left and an exchange of passes with Rachel. Rachel did well to close down a ball out of the Stoke defence and Angie took over on the left bye line. She skillfully took it past one defender and then the keeper as she out to close down. Angie unleased a shot that just crossed the line as the outstretched defender slid in and could not help but put it beyond any doubt.
Mandy and Redders were strong in centre midfield and supported their wingers, Flo Greensit and Rachel Javan, well as Cully played the balls wide and stretched the visitors defence. Both wide players played in some tellin crosses that caused problems in the box. Kerry and Bucky kept it tight in centre defence Kerry sweeping and Bucky attacking the goal kicks, heading clear. Full backs Mingo and Celine played confidently in their new defensive roles. Redders made it number 4 for the home side as she controlled the ball well on the edge of the box, and on the turn she struck a sweet shot into the corner of the goal. Popey had the final say of the half and completed her hat-trick from a Lola corner. Flo and Celine linked up on the right and forced a corner. An excellent delivery had the goalkeeper under pressure from Redders and the ball fell loose to Pope who made no mistake from close range.
With a healthy lead at half time this allowed Gaffer to make some changes. Mingo returned to goal, Emma Jones Snr came on at left back, Rachel Javan switched over to the right replacing Flo and Jess Hooper came on at left midfield. The visitors started the half better and soon tested the new look defence and keeper. Mingo was quick off the blocks, smothering the ball at the feet of the attacker and saving an otherwise certain goal. Lola turned provider for Cullys 6th goal, winning the ball while tracking back and playing in Rachel. Rachel cut across the box and her shot thundered into the bottom corner. Hat-trick hero Pope was then afforded a rest as Sam Bell came on in defence and midfield switches saw Rachel partnering Lola in attack. Lola got her second of the game with a left footed strike that evaded the outstretched keeper. She was denied a deserved hat trick soon after when her right foot shot rebounded off the post into the arms of the keeper. Mandy Earle nearly made it 2 goals in 2 games when she hit a powerful shot but it was rising over the bar. Lola capped her player of the match award (chosen again by proud Chairman, Bill) when she set up the 8th and final goal. A strong and pacey run down the right wind saw her leave defenders in her wake and her pinpoint cross was met expertly by Rach on the volley. Her strike was clinical and left the keeper rooted to the spot. The visitors stayed positive and had a good last 15 minutes but determined to keep a clean sheet the defence stayed strong and organised. Another great team performance was congratulated by Gaffer and rewarded with drinks by the chairman. Cully are at home again next week, this time against the strong Exeter Uni side.