Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully maintain unbeaten league record
Cully 4 - Taunton 2
12th Oct 08
Cully regain top spot in the league taking advantage of Frome playing in the FA Cup, securing 3 points by beating Taunton for the second time this season. Cully dominated the game more than the 4-2 scoreline suggests but a battling Taunton and good goalkeeping was to their credit.
On another hot and sunny afternoon which was enjoyed by the crowd, was less welcomed by the players who had to battle for 90 minutes in it. The home side dominated the possession in the first 20 minutes passing the ball 'round neatly and confidently in all areas of the pitch. The first goal resulted from good wing play down the left by Jess - having beaten two players the ball was played back to Redders on the edge of the box, who struck a sweet shot into the bottom corner of the net. Soon after the woodwork saved Taunton twice in the same move, Celine and Kerry linked up well down the right and when the ball was played back to her Kerry hit a cracking strike which had the keeper beaten but thundered off the cross bar. As the play came back into play Lola was quickest off the mark but her header too struck the upright.
Cully did though make it two soon after with a cracking strike from Celine, her first goal for the club. Bucky took a free kick, struck it into the box where Rach dummied it and Celine followed up with a clinical side footed shot. A substitution was then forced upon Gaffer as Jess, suffering from illness, was substituted and Mandy Earle made her way onto the pitch. Sam Bell was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as her header from a Lola cornerwas well saved by the keeper. At half-time Gaffer made another change, Flo who ran her socks off in the first half made way for Curly, making a welcome return to the squad. Taunton started the second half in a much more positive fashion. With the wind behind them and the sun in the eyes of the Cully defence the away team pressured and tried to get back in the game. They were rewarded after 15 minutes after a mistake in defence. Emma Jones hesitated clearing the ball and the right wing nipped in and had a shot on goal. This was neatly saved by Mingo, but the goal rebounded off the post and into open play. The striker bravely slid in and just beat Sam Bell to the ball, knocking in a goal from a narrow angle.
Cully then weathered the inevitable pressure and 10 minutes later extended their lead making it 3-1. Lola made a strong run down the right wing, her cross eluded the defence and Mandy Earle was the first to connect with it. Her attempt was well saved the keeper but was followed up decisively by Rachel Javan at the backpost. Taunton bizarrely found themselves back in the game soon after as a weak shot from a Taunton player bobbled over Mingo and trickled into the goal. Lola was unlucky not to get a goal, her efforts certainly deserved one. Her left footed shot was pushed 'round the post by the Taunton keeper. Cully though did get a goal and secured all 3 points with Javan getting her second of the game. Celine again beat her defender for pace on the right and played the ball across the box. Lola cleverly ushered her defender away and stepped over the ball leaving Rachel a clear path through on goal. She finished confidently shooting past the keeper with a left footed strike. Player of the match was awarded to Lola, who despite not being on the scoresheet herself was instrumental in all the goals scored by Cully.
Next week Cully face Bristol Uni away. There will be a social on Fri 14th Nov, Chunks all-stars will be playing skittles versus Mandy's Marvels, whilst Mandy celebrates her 25th birthday.