| Match Report |
Caradon travelled to Truro to take on Newquay and after a fantastic game, saw them victorious and take all three points on offer.
With a full squad available Caradon were confident before the game but it was Newquay who started the strongest, forcing penalty corner after penalty corner. Caradons defence were showing great resilience, saving numerous shots of the line and battling hard for every ball. Daisy Hunn was being tested by a speedy winger but she stood firm in her task and limited entries into the circle. Center back, Amy Batty, showed great composure and used her experience to command her defence. Caradon were struggling to get any possession but stayed calm knowing if they could ride the surge of attacks they would gradually start to get a foot hold on the game.
Clare Mitchell was seeing more of the ball in midfield and her calmness and patience under pressure started to mean Caradon having more phases of play. Libby Walsh was having another excellent game and combined well with her fellow midfielders and the her forwards.
The deadlock was eventually broken when a perfectly weighted through ball found top goal scorer, Bizzie Dinnis, in the circle. The Newquay keeper slip to challenge and clumsily felled Dinnis before playing the ball. A penalty stroke was awarded and Dinnis dusted herself off to dispatch the stroke with ease.
Caradon were now confident and playing some of their best hockey of the season, working hard to press play when out of possession and moving the ball at pace across the pitch when in possession.
A contender for goal of the season was scored next by Caradon. From a defensive play, Caradon moved the ball quickly through numerous players up the pitch, Dinnis drew her defender out wide and passed to Lucy Lee-Smith who moved towards goal. Finding herself in a 2v1 situation, she selflessly passed to unmarked Saffy Cripps who finished with a first time reverse strike.
Newquays heads visibly dropped and Caradon took full advantage. Numerous chances were created but shots on goal from penalty corners and open play were well saved. Shortly before half time Cripps scored the third of the day with a crisp strike from the left leaving the keeper no chance.
The half time talk was focused but so must have been Newquays as they came out much stronger to start the second half. With thier slight change in formation they were again a threat towards Caradons goal. Molly Walsh and Beth Harris were tenacious and worked brilliantly together as screens in front of the defensive line.
Midway through the second half Newquay scored thier first from a penalty corner and were awarded a penalty stroke of thier own shortly after. At 2-3 the game was on a knife edge but Caradon continued to show good discipline and an excellent work rate. Caradon were now attacking on the counter with player of the match Lee-Smith showing her class with numerous interceptions and linking well with fellow forwards Clare Poad and Dinnis. Mitchell was still managing to find space and was exceptional in her game management.
Dinnis scored from a tight angle with a sharp reverse strike to give Caradon some breathing space but Newquay went straight up the other end to score and leave the last 8 minutes very tense.
Caradon managed to contain Newquay who were a constant threat but after one of their players was shown a yellow card for a deliberate foul, Caradon played the last 2 minutes in the attacking corner of the pitch.
The final whistle eventually came and a jubilant Caradon claimed all 3 points which secures them the crown of being the best team in Cornwall, an aim from the start of the season.
With 3 league games remaining it leaves only Exe who are able to catch them in the chase for the league title.
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