Hunts FA Senior women`s cup Semi Final - Huntingdon Town Ladies v Cardea Ladies

On a chilly but bright day, the travelling Cardea fans settled into their seats at `Jubilee Park`, home of Huntingdon town FC, to watch what was to be history in the making for the Cardea team.
With a place in the Senior`s cup final at stake, the formalities began with captain Ruddy leading the team out behind the 3 appointed FA officials, alongside the Huntingdon home side.
The game got underway and it was clear that Cardea had no intent on being guests at this party as they were the first side to settle, immediately winning the ball in midfield and putting early pressure onto the home side.
It would take only 3 minutes for the first goal to be scored.
Some good work in the Cardea midfield to win a loose ball saw the ball being fed through to the Cardea forwards. Emma Pollard was first to react and drove forward into the opposing teams box.
With nowhere to go, the Cardea striker sent a low cross into the box where Georgie was on hand to send it towards goal. What followed was a scramble to clear the ball by the Huntingdon defence that would see an under-pressure defender slice it into her own net to break the deadlock. 0-1. ( The goal was later awarded to Georgie).
Straight from the restart it was Cardea who looked the more settled side on what was a very boggy and heavy pitch. Our midfield began to pass the ball well between themselves, using both Brooke and Olivia on the wings to drive forward at every opportunity.
The next Cardea chance would come on 9 minutes and was again due to some pinpoint passing. Jess won the ball from the Huntingdon midfield and fed wide to Olivia on the left, who sent it down the line to the ever-present Pollard.
The initial cross was blocked by defenders, but the loose ball was collected again by Olivia who neatly crossed into the box, only to see Georgie unable to shoot cleanly, putting it just wide of the post.
This move appeared to wake the home side up and they drove forward from the kick taking the game to Cardea for the first time.
What was good to see this week, was the speed at which the Cardea players got back in numbers behind the ball, intent on keeping their lead. The attack would end with a shot from just outside the box that would be saved by the safe hands of Poppy in the Cardea goal.
The next action would come from a Cardea free kick. The ball was crossed in causing confusion in the Huntingdon defence. Olivia was quick to pounce on the loose ball sending it back to Jess who fed through to Ruddy who shot just wide.
It was on the 14-minute mark that the game would see its second goal. A poor kick from the home keeper was headed straight back by Helen in midfield. Pollard was quickest again to react beating the lone defender before shooting into the net to make it a much deserved 0-2.
Despite Huntingdon trying to push forward more to get back into the game, the next chance would again fall to Cardea and another free kick. Our own David Beckham Sof, stepped up from just outside the home box and sent another curler over the wall only to hit the cross bar and bounce clear.
Despite Huntingdon’s best efforts, the pressure continued coming from the Cardea side who were finding more space as the game went on.
Defender Maisie went on a long run from her own box to the home sides, a neat interchange between her and Ruddy allowed a ball through to Pollard but it was eventually cleared by a nervous H`don defence.
Again, Cardea pressed, Ruddy finding Olivia free on the left and the winger again exploiting the Cardea supremacy down the flanks, beating two defenders before releasing Pollard who shot wide.
The next attack would end in a free kick as Pollard was brought down on the edge of the box. This time Sof beat the wall but not the keeper, who made a good save to deny Cardea another goal.
Huntingdon were by no means giving up and staged a short period of their own pressure which ended up with them being awarded a corner. This time it was the Cardea defence who would have to scramble the ball clear to safety.
A few minutes later Cardea were caught again by another quick counter attack that would see the ever impressive Poppy come off her line to collect from the feet of the H`don striker.
The game was opening up, with a few players on both sides looking like they were suffering on the heavy pitch.
Huntingdon were having a good spell, but it would be Cardea who would again score next. This time it was our midfield of Helen and Jess who would win the ball, setting Brooke clear down the right wing. The ball was passed into Ruddy who slotted through to set Pollard free again to round the keeper and make it 0-3 on 30 minutes.
Cardea were now settled into their passing game, creating space with players movement - possibly the best it has been all season.
Another free kick would be saved by the home keeper before Olivia again caused chaos down the left wing winning a corner. Georgie sent the cross deep into the heart of the H`don box and a Pollard shot was somehow scrambled over the bar.
The pressure from Cardea was repeatedly met by quick counter attacks by H`don, our defence held strong with their pace proving too much for the home strikers to break through.
Just as it seemed we would head into the break with a comfortable lead and the supporters would head into the bar to get a coffee and warm up, there would still be two more quick goals before the whistle.
Another poor kick from the H`don keeper would again see Olivia pounce; the winger beating two defenders before sending a cross that would be collected by Pollard who twisted and slotted in for her hat trick 0-4 on 41 minutes.
Only 2 minutes later It would again be a quick Cardea exchange, this time between Georgie and Olivia that would force a poor clearance by the home side. The loose ball collected by the menacing Pollard who slipped it under the keeper to take Cardea into half time in control of this semi-final 0-5.
They say its not over until its over and after last week’s friendly defeat, the Cardea players had learnt that lesson the hard way.
It was H`don who would settle first after the whistle restarted the game. The home side pushing forward on an attack that saw our defenders Titch and Ram stretching their legs to force the ball into safety on either side of the box.
That said, it would only take 2 minutes of the second half to see Pollard continue where she left off. Some good work between Sof and Georgie from another free kick would see the striker pounce on a loose ball to fire it into the net on 47 minutes 0-6.
As the game progressed, so did the confidence of the Cardea team who started to look like they were relaxing and just enjoying the cup experience, almost as much as the supporters in the stands.
The goals would continue to come for the Cardea team, on 57 minutes Ruddy collected the ball and again fed the ever-hungry Pollard through onto another 1 on 1 where she would again round the goalie to score her 6th on 57 minutes, 0-7.
Before the final third of the game Cardea would suffer a major blow, when a nasty clash of heads would see captain Ruddy having to withdraw from the game and head off to A&E.
Only 2 minutes later some good work by Titch winning the ball and making a run down the left before passing infield to Georgie. The midfielder held the ball, drawing the defender before slipping it through to Brooke who calmly slid the ball under the keeper adding a new name to the score sheet, 0-8.
To give credit to H`don, they continued to battle for every ball, despite the sustained Cardea pressure and at times caused our defence a few problems.
The 75th minute of the game would bring the 9th and final goal of this excellent cup tie again with some great teamwork. Our impressive midfield won another loose ball and pushed it forward to Pollard. The striker fed the ball to Olivia who again caused chaos in the nervous home defence, running across into the box before feeding it onto Georgie who made no mistake hitting the back of the net, 0-9., which would remain the score at the final whistle.
In all areas of the pitch Cardea played some great football.
Our defenders were strong, quick and confident in clearing their lines, our wingers on both sides caused chaos down the flanks, our midfield battled strong throughout winning ball after ball, our strikers were unstoppable, and our keeper Poppy was ever impressive keeping yet another clean sheet.
Every player gave 100% and as a team the performance was perfect, even if the pitch wasn’t.
The Cardea team journey now continues into a new chapter, with our first ever final secured against a very tough St Ives Ladies side..
No matter what, it will be an amazing experience.
Our thanks to our Hosts Huntingdon for their hospitality and for making this a great semi-final with their determination and never give up attitude, we wish them all the best for the rest of the season.