Cullompton Rangers LFC
Yeovil Snatch Victory in Extra-Time
29th April 2007
Pat Sowden Trophy Final
Yeovil secured the `double' when they won the Pat Sowden Trophy 2-1 a.e.t at the Kimberly Stadium, Saltash. On a hot, sunny afternoon both teams entertained, and the crowd witnessed 120 minutes of good quality football. Yeovil were confident of completing the double on the back of winning the league, while Cully were still on a high after their Devon Cup success on Tuesday evening.
Cully started with a 3-5-2 formation, but reverted to 4-4-2 after an injury to captain Josie Copp. Gemma Norman made a welcome return to the side and battled well in midfield alongside the ever-present Curly (Catherine Wright). Wingers Rachel Javan and Goughy (Laura Gough) threatened early on with Yeovil struggling to keep up with their pace. Yeovil looked dangerous on the break but as they played the ball over the top they were thwarted by the well drilled off-side trap played by the defence. Cully had the first clear chance on goal when Angie Pope hit the woodwork. An excellent break from Rach on the left saw her beat two players and take the ball to the by-line. A perfect cross was met by striker Pope running in at the near post. Her powerful header thundered against the post as the keeper stood rooted to the spot. It was then Yeovil who went on the attack and pressured the Cully defence. A strong tackle by Norman was penalised and saw her receive a yellow card; she was adjudged to have fouled on the edge of the box. The Yeovil free-kick was direct and powerful but tipped well over by Maxine Coupe.
On the ascendancy Yeovil were denied twice in quick succession after a save by Max and clearance by Bucky (Karen Buck). Yeovil broke on the right and the forward was one-on-one with keeper Coupe. As Max closed her down the Yeovil player tried to place it in the corner - Max got a strong left hand to the ball but it looked destined to fall over the line, thankfully for Cully Bucky managed to hook the ball over the bar to safety.
Cully were unlucky not to score on the next attack but were denied by a good save by the Yeovil keeper. A cracking free-kick was put in the danger area by Curly and as Angie challenged the keeper bravely punched the ball clear. The defence settled, Kerry Powell-Tuckett and Josie bravely playing through existing injuries, Becky Maunder remaining on top form man marking and Bucky linking up well with winger Rachel Javan. Strikers Pope and Redders (Emma Redwood) looked dangerous, Curly was dangerous at corners and Yeovil panicked with the height and presence of Copp. Josie was unlucky not to capitalise on one such corner as she headed just wide.
The first half ended with a flurry of activity with two goals in two minutes. The first went to Yeovil who were awarded a hotly disputed penalty. No player or spectator would argue that it wasn't a foul by Pope, but it remained contentious as to whether it was inside the box. Despite appeals from Cully the spot kick was given. A cooly taken penalty was dispatched well by the Yeovil player. The Yeovil penalty taker was then booked for her over elaborate celebration and removing her shirt.
Although incensed Cully responded in the best possible way equalising straight from the kick off. Curly hit a cracking cross field ball to Rachel on the left, her determined run saw her keep the ball in play and win a corner when her cross was blocked. A sweet curling corner from Wright saw the ball go directly into the roof of the net. The dead ball specialist can now boast 8 goals in 5 games, an excellent ratio for a midfielder. Pope was to be the third player to be booked in the first half when she failed to retreat 10 yards from a free kick.
Cully started the second half strongly and they nearly took the lead within a minute. Great play on the left saw passes exchanged between Angie and Rach. A cross from Rach was met on the volley by Curly but it went agonisingly past the post. The second half saw few clear cut chances for either side, both being just short of the killer touch. Yeovil threatened with a flurry of corners but Max was as ever confident in the air and punched the ball clear of danger. Although short of match practice Norman battled endlessly and ran herself into the ground, she was replaced on the hour mark. Jess took her regular spot on the left wing with Rachel now threatening in a strikers role. Ten minutes later saw Chrissie Daniels do a straight swap with Pope on the right wing.
Cully had the last chance to win the game in the dying minutes but the Yeovil keeper pulled off a superb save. A great run and cross from winger Jess found Rach in the box, her left footed volley was struck well but agonisingly straight at the keeper who held it well.
Extra time provided more controversy as the ref produced two unecessary red cards. The first to the Yeovil penalty taker who was awarded a second yellow card for arguing with the ref. With only 5 minutes remaining and penalties looking more likey Yeovil got the break they needed. With a mix up on the half way line and a free kick not awarded to Cully Yeovil capitalised and threaded a ball through to the striker. As she ran through clear on goal Max stood no chance as the forward finished clinically under pressure. The resultant celebrations from the Yeovil players brought about a reaction from the Cully bench and saw a second yellow shown to Pope. It is now clear that the yellow card was shown to the wrong person on the bench.
Cully went for broked and great attacking from Gough saw her goal bound shot deflect narrowly over the bar. From the resultant corner Jess Hooper struck a wonderful shot that was tipped onto the cross bar. The last corner of the game was headed clear and as Max, up from her goal, was poised to shoot the ref blew the final whistle.
The Cully girls did themselves proud and were dead on their feet after their second 120 minute game in 5 days. Congratulations to Yeovil on achieving the double, we wish them luck in the Combination league next season.