Caradon Women do the Double in the County Cup & Plate
Posted by Alf Oliver on 11 April 2017
An excited group of Caradon Hockey Club players and supporters travelled to Penzance Astro last Saturday to compete in both the County Cup and County Plate Finals. An unlikely double was a possibility after a mid table finish for both teams in their respective leagues.
The Womens 2s squad was first on the pitch playing against a strong Penzance team that had the home advantage. Against a backdrop of lively vocal support the teams went into battle. .
Determined, as in every game this season, Caradon were keen to show their dominance from the start and get an early goal. It fell to Sarah 'Browner' Strevens to step up. On one of her powerful runs with the ball, she swept past two defenders and slotted home. This gave the travelling supporters a huge boost in their expectations as they loudly cheered their team
With the temperature rising, on and off the pitch, Caradon were keen to add to their tally. Sadie Mullis was once again a force to be reckoned with on the wing, skipping past any threat and striking accurate passes to her forwards. Jayne Longrigg found herself in prime position to receive a pass from Helen Manley and slotted home to increase the lead to 2-0.
The match was fiercely competitive and resulted in injuries to Browner and EJ from enthusiastic Penzance tackles. Thankfully both were able to resume play and stamp their authority on the game.
Penzance got back into the game with quick counter attacks and eventually clawed back the deficit with a goal from a short corner reducing the margin to 2-1. However Caradon had the confidence and possession to create scoring opportunities from short corners. Abi Larigo slipped her defender and was perfectly positioned on the right post. She deflected a top D shot from Jayne to chip over the goalie’s pad and establish a convincing 3-1 scoreline at the half time break.
After taking on plenty of liquid, Caradon wanted to take the game to Penzance as the match had a long way to go. A goalmouth scramble almost cost Caradon their substantial lead as Penzance missed scoring opportunities when chances were saved by both goalie, Bekki Eddy and defender Claire Brown off the line.
Caradon won themselves another short corner with 15 minutes to go. A strong push out by Abi Larigo was met at the top of the D by captain Helen Manley. She struck a powerful hit past the keeper and created a crucial 3 goal cushion for the visitors..
The Caradon defence was under much more pressure throughout the second half. Rachael Spencer was kept very busy in midfield with Nic Dymond and Marcia Burgess snuffing out any threats on goal. Equally 'most improved player of the season' Georgia Hall, defended with characteristic confidence and her clearances released Nat Ridgers into space.
However, with 5 minutes to the final whistle, Penzance grabbed a chance to stay in the game as they nicked one into the goal. Caradon were not going to surrender their lead and held on to take the title as 4-2 winners. A fantastic end to a season which has been a challenge for all the players adjusting to a much higher level of hockey. They showed that hard work and determination really does have its rewards.
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Caradon Women’s 1st Team took to the pitch in the second final of the day as they competed with local rivals Bodmin for the County Cup. Having watched Caradon 2’s lift the County Plate in the previous match, the pressure was on the First’s to secure the double. The 100 or so spectators had taken their seats in the sun and a full strength squad got the game off to a lively start under the watchful eye of “manger for the day”, Laura Hill. Caradon began confidently and it wasn't long before the Bodmin keeper was called into action, making some good saves against strikes from the top of the circle. Midfielders Fleur Worden and Charlie Harris worked well together on the left and created numerous chances for the hungry forwards. Joely Bytheway was finding plenty of space on the right wing but the stubborn Bodmin defence ensured the score remained 0-0 as the half time whistle blew. The half time talk remained positive and Caradon knew that if they stayed focussed, the goals would come. They didn't have to wait long as within 7 minutes Bizzie Dinnis bundled the ball over the line after a shot by Captain, Clare Poad rebounded of the post. At last the deadlock had been broken and the excited crowd sensed that Caradon was on course for the double. The game began to open up as Bodmin pushed for an equaliser. Beth Harris played with great maturity in the centre of the pitch and together with hard working dynamo Carina Batten, enabled Caradon to gain momentum. Dinnis was playing with freedom up front and created numerous short corners. Eventually a penalty flick was awarded for a Bodmin foot on the goal line which Bizzie clinically slotted home for her second, giving Caradon some breathing space. But this was a cup final and Bodmin were not going to roll over. After scoring a scrappy goal from a short corner the momentum moved in their favour. Defenders Sharon Jeffery, Amy Batty and Julia Eldridge snuffed out powerful Bodmin attacks with some great tackles and calmly cleared their lines. On the hottest day of the year Caradon decided to force Bodmin to chase the game by switching play around the defence. This opened up the midfield where Lauren Kelly was able to feed her forwards with pin-point passes. One of these found Captain, Clare Poad on the baseline where, from an impossible angle, she hammered the ball into the goal. With 8 minutes to play, Bodmin were awarded a disputed penalty flick and it was keeper Helen Delbridge’s turn to be the hero with a fantastic save to top off her great match performance and season. Glayne Price then entered the fray but the Cup and Double were in sight. With a 2 goal cushion, Caradon cruised to a famous victory in the closing minutes. The Cup presentation rounded off a highly successful season for Caradon Hockey Club. Voted Cornwall’s Senior Sports Club of the Year in 2016 then adding the County Cup & Plate double Caradon is now the largest Hockey Club in Cornwall. With more than 100 junior players developing their skills in a variety of County competitions, the Club is well placed to challenge for more honours. The Club celebrates its 10th anniversary in September and this historic double provides a wonderful launch pad for the next decade of hockey at Caradon. . |
