Cullompton Rangers LFC
Cully progress to cup final
17th Feb 2008
Cully 4 v Tot & Dart 0
County Cup holders Cully progressed to this years final, setting up a repeat of last years encounter with Plymouth Argyle. Totnes and Dartington put up a valiant effort but Cully came away 4-0 winners at Speeds Meadow thanks to a second half hat-trick from Catherine 'Curly' Wright.
A large crowd turned out on a sunny afternoon to see if Totnes could follow Barnsleys lead and pull off a cup upset. The first half performance by the visitors gave them a fighting chance as they were clearly not intimidated by higher league opposition, beat Cully in the tackle and were first to the ball on most occasions. They did go behind though to a well executed goal that was clinically finished by striker Emma Redwood. Cully attacked down the right wing, with Emma Jones playing in her right full back Kerry Powell-Tuckett. Kerry made a determined run into the box and played an inch perfect cross to Redders who side footed past keeper Catrina Dunn. On two further occasions Dunn saved well and kept the score at 1-0, thwarting the shots of Jess Hooper and Rachel Javan from close range.
Josie Copp was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as she thundered a free-kick onto the post as the half drew to a close. Totnes midfielder Justine Howarth came the closest for the visitors as she executed a left footed volley from outside the box, but it never troubled keeper Maxine Coupe.
The second half saw Cully step up their game and effectively put the game out of reach with two early goals. The home side played with more bite and determination after a cutting half time talk by the Gaffer. They played stronger football and showed why they were favourites before kick off. Jess took a short corner, playing in Kerry who had made a run from defence. Her first time cross was met by Curly, whose header looped over the keeper and underneath the crossbar. From the kick off Cully showed no mercy and scored again. Redders pressured well and won possession, she passed to Curly whos ran the entire length of the half and finished cooly, slotting the ball into the corner of the net.
Totnes keeper Dunn then saved well with her feet to deny Emma Jones, who looked sure to score from close range. Dunn could do nothing though about the 4th goal as Curly completed her hat-trick. Full back Kerry was again involved in the build up, passing to Redders who unselfishly passed to Curly just inside the box. She made no mistake and drilled a right foot shot across the goal into the bottom corner.
Totnes finished the game brightly with their young strikers making a nuisance of themselves, winning a succession of corners. However they couldn't carve out a clear cut chance and the score line remained 4-0. Cully return to league action next week away to Bristol Uni.