Women's 2nd XI Vs Duchy

Caradon knew they faced a top side last weekend away to Duchy, but despite a half term break, they were determined to maintain their confidence off the back of the Truro win from the previous weekend.
A blustery trip down to Pool Academy, the pre-match team talk encouraged the visiting side to start strong and keep possession and this they did. Probably catching Duchy a bit off guard with their dominance of the first 10 minutes, Caradon were holding position and already creating chances. Their opening goal was like something straight from the training pitch, slick passes timed perfectly started with an impressive interception by Sadie Mullis cutting out a break from Duchy. A quick pass to Abi Larigo inside pushed forward with a strong run towards the D, EJ Mullis collected the angled pass and slotted home for a deserved lead.

Knowing that there was still a long way to go until the final whistle, Caradon didn't let the lead go to their heads however Duchy upped their game and started using the speed of their wings to threaten. It was one such opportunity that earned them their equaliser in one of their few chances of the first half.
Keen not to let their earlier dominance slip, Caradon continued to push and pressurise the Duchy defence with left wing runs and accurate line passes from Natalie Ridgers. Such pressure led to Duchy making a mistake in the D giving Caradon a short corner. After their first, a straight strike effort by Sarah Strevens brushed past the right post, it was decided to try a slip pass. Sarah stopped the ball at the top of the D held on as she dribbled the ball towards goal before a left slip to waiting Helen Manley who pushed the ball just out of reach of the keeper and into the backboard, going into the half time break 2-1 up.

Caradon knew Duchy were going to come out fighting in the second half so were ready for the change in gear and change of some positions. Both teams were starting to get rattled by aggressive play and some questionable umpiring decisions. Green and yellow cards were shown to Caradon for dangerous tackling, without a full team on the pitch the remaining 10 had to get back and defend their lead, with constant positive and constructive instruction from sweeper Marcia Burgess.
The defence played a massive part for Caradon with the back line of Claire Brown, Rach Spencer and Georgia Hall working well together once again. Player of the match goalie Bekki Eddy particularly kept Caradon in the game with quick reaction saves and confident attacks off her line often saving from very close range. Having had 6 short corners in the second half, Duchy couldn't net one and only one got past Bekki - only to be saved off the line by Claire Brown. 

With the umpire signalling 2 minutes of the game left, Caradon as a team got back to defend but suddenly found themselves in a counter attack. Mother and daughter Sarah and Abbi Strevens linked up well and Abbi found herself in the D infront of the keeper. A rash and panicked stick tackle from the Duchy defender earned Caradon a short corner as the final whistle blew - much to the cheers of delight from the entire Caradon team. But the short corner was still to be taken, Helen collected the ball and got past one defender before a close angled push was kicked away and out of play by the keeper ending the game.

Caradon are at home to St Austell tomorrow, keen to continue this winning run and maintain their Trelawney League One status for next season. With three games remaining the season isn't over yet, but they are determined to keep this positive team spirit and confidence up until that final whistle on March 25th.