WEST CLUBS

WOMEN'S LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION

Plym Valley 1

Caradon travelled to Lipson in Plymouth for a fixture that on paper they should have won.

After convincingly beating their rivals the last time, they met this encounter with a clean slate.

A chaotic start meant that Caradon began with no 'keeper although with 11 players due to having a substitute.

Plym Valley took full advantage of this situation as, from the whistle, they drove forward and were awarded a penalty corner. Caradon, meanwhile, instantly went down to ten players through an injury to EJ Mullis.

The corner was defended admirably as the defence cleared their lines and, with that, they were also joined by goalkeeper Helen Delbridge.

Back to full strength, the away team started to inject their own pace into the game with almost immediate effect.

The strong run on the right hand side by Jess Dukes ended with a pass of pinpoint accuracy leaving Clare Poad to stop and strike to put Caradon one-up.

With nerves slightly settled, the travelling team continued to create chances. Through one of these occasions, Fleur Worden hassled and stole the ball in the centre of the park. With a supporting run from Glayne Price she slipped inside for a one-on-one opportunity with the 'keeper, only to see the control slip away in gathering the ball.

Plym Valley started to gain momentum through their captain, and again the final pass and strike failed to materialise with defensive roles being executed well.

With a team talk by coach Matt Bell highlighting areas that Caradon need to improve on, the Cornish side went back on to the pitch with a certain apprehension, although with an inner belief that they could win the game.

However, Plym Valley had other ideas as they dug deep and snuffed out the centre of the park forcing the Cornish side to continually play the game on the right hand side. Caradon failed to move the ball around as smoothly as in the first half and frustration started to set in.

A driving run through the centre by sweeper Mitch Robertson was one of the highlights of the second period, as she off loaded inside only for play to be broken down by a defiant home team.

With the clock ticking away Caradon were barely holding on for the win as another wave of pressure was pushed onto them. A last-ditch save from 'man-of-the-match' Angela Delbridge saw the home side getting closer to an equaliser.

Finally the pressure meant the award of a penalty corner, which was duly converted to level the scores with only ten minutes left to play.

Both sides appeared to sit back a little and maybe a draw was a fair reflection on the game.

In order to remain in second place in the League, they will have find a result against an unpredictable Exe side tomorrow.