Women's 1st XI Vs Newquay

Caradon produced a strong and battling performance against league leaders, Newquay, and were unlucky not to come away with any points.

The home team knew they would have to put in a great performance and started the game in a confident fashion, passing the ball around and switching play well. Caradon had the majority of possesion and were piling the pressure on to the normally unflapable Newquay defence. Laura Hill and Lauren Gouge combined well on the left leading to a hopeful ball being played across the circle. Newquays' keeper was off balanced and allowed the ball to slip under her leading foot. Helen Manley was on hand to pounce on the loose ball and pass it in to the empty goal. This was nothing less than they deserved but it didnt last long as Newquay soon levelled the scores to leave it nicely poised at 1-1 at the half time break.

The half time talk was probably too relaxed as within 10 minutes of the restart the vistors had worked a 2 goal lead and for the first time this season Caradon looked lost and deflated. Julia Eldridge however was in a characteristic determined mood and slowly started to rallie the troops. Nic Dymond was looking more settled and slowly started to rebuild some confidance in the middle of the pitch. However Newquay soon scored another to virtually kill the game off at 4-1.

Caradon now had a choice, give in or fight. They chose the later. Clare Poad fired home a loose ball in the circle and Newquay looked worried. The midfield of Carrina Hodge and Beth Harris were scrapping for their lives and turned over lots of ball. It was now Caradon who looked dangerous, Fleur Worden offered a change in style to both wings and penalty corners were becoming more frequent for the home team.

With 5 minutes left to play Poads' srtrike from a penalty corner was deflected into the net and Caradon really felt they could get the equaliser, but time was not on their side.

Caradon were offered one last chance as the final whistle blew and a penalty corner awarded but Hills' goalward shot was just deflected off the line by the last defender. A draw would have probably been a fair result but Caradon can be really pleased with another battling comeback.

A game full of entertainment showed just how good Caradon can be, but will need to stop conceeding goals to get more important points.