Women's 2nd XI Vs Falmouth II

Caradon 2s had an early morning trip to Penryn for their last game of the season against Falmouth who were one position above them in the table. After beating them only 1-0 on their previous meeting, they knew it was going to be another close game.

Caradon started as they have done in all their games since Christmas, with a dominance over the opposition, quick passing and a desire for an early goal. It was this determination which got them just that. Sarah ‘Browner’ Strevens collected a perfectly timed pass at the top of the D and despite flying in tackles from the Falmouth defence, somehow managed to get the ball over the line. Not the prettiest of goals but a goal nevertheless.
With this confidence flowing through the visitors, they continued to apply pressure to the Falmouth side. Even so, Falmouth were incredibly quick on their counter attacks and while the game was played in good spirits – some stick tackles started to go in and comments between teams became heated.

The frustration was not helped by Falmouth’s first ‘goal’. A scrappy fight for the ball in the D, saved off the line by Claire Brown was deemed to have crossed the line by the umpire. Caradon felt hard done by from this decision and really didn’t want their last match to be ‘one of those games’. They went into the half time break at 1-1, the game actually being very well balanced with end to end excitement.

The very hot weather also played a part as both teams had to work hard, constantly running up to attack then back to help defend. Luckily Caradon had a sub and used this to their advantage in such temperatures, constantly rotating the midfield to enable time to take on water and catch their breath. Player of the match Sadie, in particular, did not stop running the entire game with her improvement from the start of the season evident in her confidence at taking on defenders using her quick speed.
Caradon had opportunity to take the lead winning short corners, but with strikes shaving the post and one brilliant close range diving save from the Falmouth keeper, they were finding it difficult to hit the target and convert.

They were denied a further short corner in the last few minutes when an obvious foot was unseen by the umpire. Caradon found it difficult with such decisions constantly going against them and battling the heat as well, it was a tough morning. Falmouth however did get a short corner and managed to shoot low past Bekki Eddy in goal. As the final whistle blew, Caradon understandly felt a bit hard done by with some decisions of the day but tried not to let this dampen their spirits as they celebrate staying in Trelawney 1 for next season.

Caradon 2 have learnt so much from being in this league, a massive step up in speed, skill and fitness from last year and the improvement and change in the team in these 6 months is proof that they can play and deserve to be in this league. The aim for next season is to cement their position as a real force among these other teams and continue this positive progress.
Although the league season is finished, Caradon 2s go down to Penzance next weekend for the Cornwall Plate Final against Penzance 2, where they hope to add some silverware to their achievement and hard work this year.