Women's 2nd XI Vs Newquay II (plate semi-final)

Caradon welcomed Newquay 2 to Lux Park for the semi final of the Cornwall Plate competition. On an extremely windy Sunday afternoon, the home side wanted to gain an early lead against a side they have met many times in previous cup, plate and league fixtures. And it was Natalie Ridgers who did just that after Caradon dominated the first few minutes, her goal was both deserved and expected after the ball rarely got outside the attacking third.
Another opportunity came shortly after as an initial strong strike by EJ Mullis was kicked out by the keeper straight at Helen Manley who hit home. Going 2-0 up in the first few minutes Caradon could have sat back but sensing Newquay weren’t up for a fightback, they took advantage and pressed for more. Many short corner strikes in the first half were skimming the post but Jayne Longrigg connected beautifully to a push out from Abi Larigo and her traditionally powerful hit left the keeper standing, netting her first of the match. 
With goals coming thick and fast a crowded D of Caradon players was frustrating Newquay, this time it was a chance for Abi who took advantage of a defensive mistake scoring before the break to take the team 4-0 up.

With plenty of club support on the sidelines, Caradon were in the driving seat and pushed for more goals after a positive and enthisastic half time team talk. Helen found herself once again unmarked in the D at the start of the second half and spotted an open spot to the left of the keeper, dinking it just out of reach. Once again Caradon’s confidence from the past few league matches was felt and shown throughout the team from the back to the front line.
Accurate passing and particularly effective wing runs to the baseline by Sadie Mullis were troubling the Newquay defence, as they started to become rattled with one another. Such a run by Sadie got the desired effect hitting a Newquay foot in the D for another short corner for the home side. Jayne added her second of the day with another strong strike, this one taking a few steps in taking advantage of the slow reacting defence coming at her.

The Caradon defence didn’t have a lot to do and it was a quiet afternoon for goalie Lauren Bowdler. They easily stopped the few chances Newquay had on goal and their only short corner, despite hitting the backboard, was disallowed for not being stopped outside the D. Even the somewhat uneccesary aerial balls in such high winds by the Newquay forward were excellently controlled, particularly by Georgia Hall who picked one out mid air and cleared away strongly.

 Another pressured attach by Caradon reached Jayne who this time in open play netted another goal for the day, confirming her hat trick of smashers for the game. Helen wasn’t far behind and after a short spell of Newquay counter attacks which resulted in simply going off the back line, another push up the field with some impressive switch play across the park Helen became one on one with the keeper and took a strong hit to claim another hat trick for a Caradon team member.
With only a few minutes left on the clock, the home side still continued to press for more. Helen found herself in plenty of space at the top of the D and with no-one coming to tackle, found the time to take a strike through the keepers legs, ending the game a dominating 9-0.

Caradon will play either Truro or Penzance 2 in the Cornwall Plate final on Saturday 8th April in Penzance, where the club hope to complete the double as Caradon 1 will compete in the Cornwall Cup final on the same day.