| Match Report |
Caradon Ladies 4ths travelled up to Plymouth on Saturday to start their 2018-19 league campaign with a game against Plymouth Uni 2’s. Taking lots of positives from their friendly against Devonport Services a week earlier Caradon started the game in great fashion pinning the home team back into their own half right from the start. Playing with great confidence Caradon continue to dominate the Uni team and it was only a matter of time before this pressure would result in a goal, some well rehearsed passing moved gave Caradon a good shot on goal, the save was knocked across the face of the goal and was slammed home at the far post by Karen Smith.
This spurred on the home side who responded very quickly forcing some good saves from the Caradon keeper but a loose rebound was pounced on by Plymouth Uni and flicked into the net to tie the scores. The flow of the match had changed and for the remainder of the first half Plymouth Uni had the upper hand but Caradons defence dealt with all attacks fantastically and held on until half time with no more goals conceded.
An inspirational half time talk by their Coach and captain saw Caradon start the second half firing on all cylinders, going on the attack straight away Maddie Gubbins was running her legs off in midfield breaking down any Plymouth Uni attack and feeding the ball forward with ease, earning herself player of the match in the process. Sasha Riddle was sin binned for a mis-timed tackle that saw her stick knocked out of her hand. When she returned to the pitch, Riddle picked up the ball well outside the the Uni 23 meter line making a bee-line for the Uni goal. The Plymouth defence were split following players off the ball for a potential pass which gave Sasha the space to make it into the home circle unchallenged and her shot shocked everyone as it flew past the home keeper into the net. The visitors were again in the lead and piling on the pressure, a series of attacks saw the visitors awarded with a short corner and a best opportunity to extend their lead. The ball was past to Riddle at the top of the circle who slipped the ball under the Uni’s diving keeper for Smith to slam into the goal again.
The Cornish side were 3-1, heading towards their first victory and there was nothing Plymouth Uni or the torrential rain could do to stop it. The game finished 3-1 to Caradons 4ths, giving them their first 3 points of the season, a big boost to their confidence and looking forward to the rest of the season.
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