Women's 1st XI Vs Falmouth 1s

Caradon put on the performance of their season in the county cup game against premiership team Falmouth, and were very unlucky to lose on penalty shuffles after the game finished 3-3.

After a successful league campaign where Caradon were undefeated winners of Division 2, they were  definitely the underdogs but with confidence high and an electric atmosphere created by the travelling supporters they knew they had a chance. 

Caradon had a brilliant start, winning several penalty corners in the first 5 minutes, but as Falmouth settled it was the favourites who took the lead. The pacey left wing was creating all kinds of problems for Caradons defence and it was from her good work that Falmouth found themselves 2-0 up. Caradon could have imploded at this point as coming from behind is not what they have been used to this season. Emma Gliddon was switched to right back and her pace and tenacity snuffed out Falmouths danger player. Molly Walsh and Beth Harris were in control of the centre of the pitch and with Claire Mitchell linking well with the forwards, Caradon were enjoying the majority of play. With minutes to play before the half time whistle, Bizzie Dinnis deflected home a penalty corner to get Caradon back in the game. 
With a focused and positive team talk, Caradon came our determined in the second half. They were playing the better hockey and limiting Falmouth to half chances which were easily dealt with by defenders Ju Eldridge, Lucie Kay and Daisy Hunn. 
Caradon got their deserved equaliser after good work from Saffy Barriball- Cripps and Ellen Spencer on the left, a great run from Libby Walsh was found and she smartly smashed it home beyond the helpless keeper. 
The game was now end to end, with both teams playing great attacking hockey. The only thing to spoil the spectacle of hockey was a rather strange decision by the umpire to award a penalty flick to Falmouth for an unseen foul in the circle. Both teams and spectators alike where bemused but Falmouth converted to give them a 3-2 lead with 5 minutes remaining. 
Thankfully this was not the defining moment as Caradon showed fantastic spirit and pressed hard for the equaliser. This seasons top goal scorer, Bizzie Dinnis, turned over possession and scored from a tight angle much to everyone's delight!

Caradon had chances in the dying moments but it was left to the dreaded penalty shuffles to decide the winner. 
Penalty Shuffles are a relatively new way of deciding a cup final so experience at them in an intense atmosphere had not been experienced before, but with keeper Helen Delbridge Caradon knew they stood a chance. 
Molly Walsh, Clare Mitchell, Bizzie Dinnis, Saffy Cripps and skipper Clare Poad were the nominated takers. In the first round 3 were converted, the same as Falmouth so the completion went to sudden death. 
It was nail biting stuff and despite everyone's best efforts and Delbridge being the hero on numerous penalties, Falmouth scored the one that gave them the title. Winning 5-4 on penalties after 3-3 at full time. 
Caradon ONES can be extremely proud of the hockey they played and the way they represented to club in such an intense atmosphere. This performance will give them confidence for the challenge of division 1 next year and the hope that they will get another chance in the cup final next year.