|
LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL HEARTBREAK FOR WOODLANDS
Woodlands started the game on the front foot and in the first 20 minutes were outstanding, creating chance after chance, but missing them. Both Mel & Nicci had early opportunities. Mel firing across goal & Nicci's effort being blocked by the Ruddington keeper.
Ruddington gradually worked their way into the game and Gemma saved smartly above her head from an effort worked from a corner. Shannon & Mel both had good efforts just clear the bar before Woodlands deservedly took the lead on 40 minutes. Jess played a precision pass through for Mel, who rounded the keeper and fired home from an acute angle.
Ruddington were level within a minute of the 2nd half starting, sloppy defending leaving the Ruddington forward just enough space to beat Gemma from close in.
After 56 minutes Ruddington were in front, Gemma did well to parry a Ruddington shot out for a corner, but an unchallenged header from the corner gave Ruddington the lead.
Ruddington were now showing signs of taking the game away from Woodlands & Gemma produced a quite magnificent save to turn away a fiercely struck shot from just outside the box.
This seemed to lift Woodlands and in the 65th minute the scores were all square again. Shannon ran on to a through ball and after evading one challenge struck a magnificent shot to leave the Ruddington keeper with no chance.
Woodlands now began to press and after 85 minutes Mel saw her shot come off the post and go out for a goalkick. Everything looked set for extra time, when Ruddington broke away in the 91st minute. The striker cut in from the left hand side and fired a speculative effort from an acute angle that gave Gemma no chance as it flew into the far top corner of the net.
From the kick off Woodlands pressed forward but Mel lost possession on the edge of Ruddington's box and an ill timed tackle caused players from both sides to get involved in an unsavoury end.
Good Luck to Russ & his Ruddington team in the final. Woodlands were magnificent and i couldn't have asked for more from my players.
|
