Women's 2nd XI Vs St Austell

Caradon 2s were keen to make it three wins in a row as they faced bottom of the league St Austell on Saturday. Still buzzing from their win over Duchy, they knew another 3 points would improve their lead over Truro in the table.
Caradon started spritely with the team connecting up well, piling the pressure on the St Austell defence to get that first and early goal. It came from left winger Natalie Ridgers who pounced on a stray ball deflection and slotted underneath a diving keeper. For most of the first half the ball was in Caradon’s attacking end, and it was a driving run from right winger Abi Larigo that won them their first short corner of the afternoon. A straight strike from Sarah Strevens was stopped by the keeper but in the clearance hit a St Austell foot for another short.
This time a slip to Helen Manley, in almost a carbon copy of her goal the previous week, she pushed the ball gaining some height over the keeper’s outstretched foot and into the far corner.

Despite the Caradon defence not being challenged, St Austell did have an opportunity for a counterattack but the continued strong back line of Claire Brown, Rachael Spencer and Georgia Hall prevented anything getting close to a shot on Bekki Eddy in goal. Marcia Burgess was moved up into the midfield and made her presence known with a goal. Quick reactions on a rebound kick out from the St Austell keeper came straight back to Burgess who returned with a strong strike to make it 3-0. She shortly added to her tally a few minutes after, as a result of EJ Mullis’ strong work to get into the D. Player of the match Marcia found herself in space with a clear shot on goal and hit the backboard to make it 4-0 at the half time break.

Caradon started the second half as they ended the first, determined to add to their scoreline and improve their table goal difference. Nicola Dymond in the sweeper position found herself with time and space to push up the field and act as an attacking assist rather than the not required extra defensive aid. Her drive into the D once again made St Austell make a mistake and won Caradon another short corner. Sarah stopped the ball at the top of the D and waited for the defence to come at her, slipping once again to Helen who took a straight strike to the ball for her second on the score sheet.

Having created numerous chances for herself all afternoon, Jayne Longrigg was motivated to grab a goal of her own and claiming number 6 came deserved. Some quick and accurate passing from the midfield, and a perfectly weighted pass in by Abi was collected by Jayne who smashed past the keeper while the St Austell defence seemed to just stand and admire.
Natalie finished off a brilliant afternoon for Caradon, hitting home her second past the keeper ending the game a convincing 7-0. With a spare match next week, they must keep the successful and goal scoring momentum going for their final home game of the season and penultimate league game against Mannamead on the 18th.