Cullompton Rangers LFC
5th Feb 2007: League v Yeovil (Home)
Cully lose vital game
Cullompton were made to pay for twenty minutes disarray as Yeovil scored twice and secured an important three points against their closest rivals. Yeovil started the game at a blistering pace, leaving the Cully girls on the backfoot and battling to get out of their own half. The back three of Bucky (Karen Buck), Josie Copp and Kerry Powell-Tuckett were inundated early on as Yeovil attacked with purpose. The visitors were rewarded for their pressure and determination on just ten minutes. Indecision in the penalty box allowed the Yeovil forward to slip in between the last defender and chip the ball over Maxine Coupe as she hurried out to narrow the angle.
Cully tried to get back in the game but were overrun by the Yeovil midfield. Cully were finding it hard to win the ball and keep possession, Yeovil pressured and scored a precious second goal after 19 minutes. A ball flicked on in midfield gave the Yeovil striker a run on goal, Bucky and Josie got back to cover, but as Bucky put in a last ditch tackle it deflected off Josie into the top of the net leaving Max with no chance. Left reeling by these two early goals Cully were spurred into action. Jess Hooper produced some strong runs down the left turning the Yeovil defenders inside out. Cully were unlucky not to half the deficit when Rachel Javan had a good shot well saved from close range. Good play from Goughy (Laura Gough) and Jess saw Rachel sidefoot a cross from the left, it was goal bound until the keeper scrambled across and blocked the shot. The home side pressured well as the half came to an end with the girls desperate to pull one back before the interval. Josie, as ever prominant at corners, was unlucky not to convert from a Curly cross, seeing her header go over the bar.
The second half started much more promisingly for Cully, who knew they had to apply more pressure and be more dominant. With two changes in midfield Cully started winning the ball and keeping possession, effective wing play from Jess and Kim Betlam saw more crosses into the box and the Yeovil defence put under pressure. Emma Redwood was unlucky not make an immediate impression when she drilled a low shot from twelve yards. The keeper saved well and tipped it round the left post. The game was end to end as Yeovil attacked well with speed and strength.
Cullys next goal scoring opportunity came after play from Jess and Rachel on the left, the cross was met by Goughy who saw her header agonisingly hit the post and go out of play. With time running out and Cully now playing three strikers Yeovil found themselves with more space on the attack. They were unlucky not to get a third when they were also denied by the woodwork. With the Cully defence stretched a good cross from the right hand side found a player unmarked in the box, her spectacular diving header left Max rooted to the spot but disappointingly for the Yeovil player she saw it rattle against the post. Cully were unlucky not to be given a penalty late on, and try for a consolation goal, as Curly (Catherine Wright) was tackled unfairly by the Yeovil keeper. Curly, as ever, ran for every loose ball and as she chased one in the penalty area it appeared she was fouled as the keeper slid in taking the player before the ball. Despite appeals the referee did not award a spot kick.
All in all Cully were punished for a sloppy first half, but took positives from a better second half. Yeovil were the stronger team on the day and deserved their three points. Yeovils destiny now seems to be in their hands, however they can't afford to slip up with Cully, Gloucester and Penzance close behind.