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Bills All Stars win on Pens

Cully 0 v Bill's All Stars 0 (5-6 pens)

It's official 'Max is a legend'!

Players past a present gathered at Speeds Meadow, Cullompton on Sunday to compete in a testimonial game to hour and celebrate the football career of Maxine Coupe. Max has been at the pinnacle of Women's football in the South West spanning two decades, and it was only fitting that she got the 'send off' she deserved as she takes a step back from 'week in week out' football next season. As many know Max has been a model professional throughout her career. There are too many highlights to mention them all but she should be proud that she was approached to play for Southampton Saints when they played in the top flight of women's football as well as the fact she has never been booked!!

Max has graced the team sheets of Exeter Rangers, Elmore, Exeter City, Newton Abbot and latterly Cullompton Rangers. She is one of the most talented players to have played for many of these sides playing not only as a top class goalkeeper but also having turned her hand to playing outfield. Only 3 seasons ago she was high up the scoring leagues as a striker in the Combination League!

On a sunny Bank holiday weekend chairman Bill Newcombe got an 'all-star' team of players... some still playing, some retired...to compete against the current Cully squad. It was an honour to Max that girls travelled some distance, in several cases borrowing boots and shin pads they'd vowed they would never wear again...but wouldn't miss the occassion for the world. The current Cully squad of Karen Buck, Kerry Powell-Tuckett, Sam Bell, Emma Jones (snr), Josie Copp, Catherine Wright, Jess Hooper, Mandy Earle, Rachel Javan, Emma Redwood, Angie Pope, Emma Jones (jnr), Emma Mingo and Lola Sanchez lined up alongside the 'all-stars', consisting of Sarah Bell, Lynsey Ayres, Sam Cox, Jo Trethewey, Becky Folds, Laura Carpenter, Laura Gough, Leanne Griffiths, Chrissie Daniels, Vicky Courtney, Becky Batten, Sarah Walker, Sally Aimes, Stacey Pearson and Kirsty Veen. Both teams created a parade for Maxine as she exited the dressing room to a fanfare of music and applause. The teams the proceeded to entertain the crowd with a well spirited display of football which was quite fittingly dominated by the goalkeepers. Both teams had a host of chances but Max and Sarah Bell were in fine form and denied them all.

The best chances in the first half fell to Josie and Lola for Cully and Leanne and Goughy for the all stars. Josie had a goal bound header spectacularly cleared away from underneath the bar and a cracking shot from Lola went just wide of the post. Leanne hit the top of the bar from a shot on the left and Goughy's strong shot was well saved by Max at point blank range. Max was awarded a yellow card...although we are yet to ascertain why!...either way Max is claiming it was a stitch up!! Despite some of the 'all stars' now retired from the game, they had not lost any of their skills or prowess, just a bit of fitness!! This was well managed by Bill, who utilised the roll-on, roll-off subs well to overcome their fatigue!

Part way through the second half Gaffer, Phil Tuckett, replaced Max in goal with Emma Mingo - Max then moved further up the field to show her striking skills. Max was the player who came closest to scoring in the second half with two headers being well saved by Sarah Bell. After an entertaining 0-0 draw, Max put the gloves back on for a light-hearted penalty shoot out. The first 5 players from both teams converted from the spot, the highlight being from Lynsey Ayres who fired her kick into the roof of the net. Max was agonisingly close to the final kick, but the all-stars triumphed as Cullys 6th spot kick was well saved by Sarah Bell.

At the conclusion of the match Max was awarded a plaque, signed football and champagne after some words spoken by Bill Newcombe, Phil Tuckett and John Chambers. Max then spoke emotionally as she thanked all her fellow players from over the years and everyone for their presence at the match. The day then moved on to further entertainment...off the pitch games, music and food followed as the alcohol flowed and stories were exchanged about the high, and low, lights of Max's career.

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2006/07 Match Reports