Match 12
20th February 2011
Devon FA Cup SF.
Cullompton Rangers (h)
Exeter City Ladie Reach Cup Final
Exeter City Ladies met Cullompton Rangers in the semi final of the Devon Cup last Sunday after beating Exeter University in the previous round.
The game was played on the ground of Topsham Town F.C. For the past five years the final of this Cup has been fought between Cullompton and Plymouth Argyle.
This was a huge match for City, not only as Cullompton play in a league two divisions higher, but also because City have never reached the final of this cup.
There is a strong rivalry between the two teams for another, far more personal reason. Exeter City Ladies FC was forced to re-form and start from the lowest league four years ago as City's Ladies team had at that time decided to merge with Cullompton to become Cullompton Rangers. This left Exeter City without it's own women's team, so it began again from scratch.
This is the first time that the two teams have faced each other in a full, competitive match since that day.
Cullompton were deemed to be the stronger side, due to their League position and City found themselves entering this match as the under-dogs. Nerves were running high prior to such a big match, which filtered onto the pitch and were evident during City's first ten minutes of the game. Keeper, Sarah Bell, was forced to pull off a remarkable save just minutes into the game, pushing a Lola Sanchez strike over the bar. Moments later Sanchez was brought down in the box by a mis-timed challenge from City's centre half, Jade Maryan. Karen Buck for Cullompton took her opportunity to open the scoring 1-0. This proved to be the incentive that City needed and as the match progressed they grew in confidence, fighting their way back into the game. The equaliser shortly followed, when a great run down the right from winger Natalie Shenton, was converted by striker Kirsty Caunter. City took the lead mid way through the half when Shenton added her name to the score sheet. By the half time whistle, City found themselves 3-1 up as centre midfielder Naomi Wilkins converted from a corner kick.
After the break, Cullompton upped the tempo and City struggled under the initial pressure and again conceeded a penalty, after a foul by centre half Sam Bell. Cullompton's Karen Buck again slotted the ball into the bottom corner to make the score 3-2. City's substitutions, saw Sam Bell and Shenton replaced by Helen Kukor and Hannah Cox and also a change in formation, with Wilkins moving to centre half, Cox on the right wing and Kukor up front. Cullompton threw everything at City following their goal, but City's defence (Tamsin Braund, Naomi Wilkins, Jade Maryan, Zoe Kingdon) stood firm and Cullompton never looked like scoring. With ten minutes remaining City caught Cullompton on the break. A run down the middle from Caunter was slotted home by Cox. At the close of play, City deservedly finished as winners 4-2.
Exeter will now face Plymouth Argyle Ladies in the final of the Devon Cup in April.
Exeter City Ladies met Cullompton Rangers in the semi final of the Devon Cup last Sunday after beating Exeter University in the previous round.
The game was played on the ground of Topsham Town F.C. For the past five years the final of this Cup has been fought between Cullompton and Plymouth Argyle.
This was a huge match for City, not only as Cullompton play in a league two divisions higher, but also because City have never reached the final of this cup.
There is a strong rivalry between the two teams for another, far more personal reason. Exeter City Ladies FC was forced to re-form and start from the lowest league four years ago as City's Ladies team had at that time decided to merge with Cullompton to become Cullompton Rangers. This left Exeter City without it's own women's team, so it began again from scratch.
This is the first time that the two teams have faced each other in a full, competitive match since that day.
Cullompton were deemed to be the stronger side, due to their League position and City found themselves entering this match as the under-dogs. Nerves were running high prior to such a big match, which filtered onto the pitch and were evident during City's first ten minutes of the game. Keeper, Sarah Bell, was forced to pull off a remarkable save just minutes into the game, pushing a Lola Sanchez strike over the bar. Moments later Sanchez was brought down in the box by a mis-timed challenge from City's centre half, Jade Maryan. Karen Buck for Cullompton took her opportunity to open the scoring 1-0. This proved to be the incentive that City needed and as the match progressed they grew in confidence, fighting their way back into the game. The equaliser shortly followed, when a great run down the right from winger Natalie Shenton, was converted by striker Kirsty Caunter. City took the lead mid way through the half when Shenton added her name to the score sheet. By the half time whistle, City found themselves 3-1 up as centre midfielder Naomi Wilkins converted from a corner kick.
After the break, Cullompton upped the tempo and City struggled under the initial pressure and again conceeded a penalty, after a foul by centre half Sam Bell. Cullompton's Karen Buck again slotted the ball into the bottom corner to make the score 3-2. City's substitutions, saw Sam Bell and Shenton replaced by Helen Kukor and Hannah Cox and also a change in formation, with Wilkins moving to centre half, Cox on the right wing and Kukor up front. Cullompton threw everything at City following their goal, but City's defence (Tamsin Braund, Naomi Wilkins, Jade Maryan, Zoe Kingdon) stood firm and Cullompton never looked like scoring. With ten minutes remaining City caught Cullompton on the break. A run down the middle from Caunter was slotted home by Cox. At the close of play, City deservedly finished as winners 4-2.
Exeter will now face Plymouth Argyle Ladies in the final of the Devon Cup in April.
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