Women's 1st XI Vs Bodmin (CUP FINAL)

Caradon travelled to Penzance on county cup final day to play Bodmin and came home champions!

After watching Caradon 2s lift the plate in the first match of the day, the first team were motivated to do the double for the club. The 100 plus spectators had taken there seats in the sun and the full strength squad took to the pitch, under the guidance of manger for the day, Laura Hill.

Caradon started confidently and it wasn't long before the Bodmin keeper was called into action, making some good saves from strikes from the top of the circle. Midfielder Fleur Worden and Charlie Harris worked well together on the left and created numerous chances for the hungry forwards. Joely Bytheway was finding plenty of space on the right wing but the stubborn Bodmin defence meant the scores were 0-0 as the half time whistle came.

The half time talk remained positive and Caradon knew that if they stayed positive the goals would come. They didn't have to wait long as in within 7 minutes Bizzie Dinnis bundled the ball over the line after a shot by Captain, Clare Poad rebounded of the post and atlast the deadlock had been broken. The game began to open up as Bodmin pushed for a goal. Beth Harris played with great maturity in the centre of the pitch and together with the hard working dynamo of Carinna Batten, Caradon had the momentum. Dinnis was playing with freedom and created numerous short corners but it was a penalty flick that was awarded for a foot on the line that she clinically slotted home that gave Caradon some breathing space.

But this was a cup final and Bodmin were not going to roll over, scoring a scrappy goal from a short corner the game was not over. Defenders Sharon Jeffery, Amy Batty and Julia Eldridge snuffed out attacks with some great tackles and cleared thier lines calmy. Clear communication between the defenders meant that play was switched around the back making Bodmin chase the ball in the increasing heat. This led to more space being found on the midfield and it was Lauren kelly who capitalised on this, making pass after pass to her fellow team mates and creating more chances to stretch the lead. One of her passes found Poad on the baseline and her thundering shot found the corner of the goal from an impossible angle. A goal fitting for any cup final!

With 8 minutes to play Bodmin were awarded a disputed penalty flick and it was Keeper Helen Dellbridges' turn to be the hero with a fantastic save to top a great season and match for her.

Caradon were able to retain possesion for the last few minutes, Glayne Price was introduced on to the field of play to see out the match as the final whistle came and caradon were County cup champions for the first time in thier history.

The cup was presented, the champagne sprayed and Caradon returned to liskeard in a jubilent bus after a day that will go down in Caradon Hockey Club history.