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Sun 26 Feb 2023
Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds First Women
Ladies 1st Team
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E Pollard (6'), (36'), (90'), C Moffat (88')
Cambs Ladies League Cup Semi-Final- Fulbourn Ladies v Cardea Ladies.
Vince Smith4 Mar 2023 - 21:57
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A FIGHT FOR THE FINAL
With the sun shining brightly, it was another huge game for the Cardea squad, in what is becoming a season to remember, as we travelled to Fulbourn for our second semi-final this year.
With the Cardea supporters spoilt over recent weeks with stadium seats, they would have to settle for park benches to watch what would be a real ‘battle’ for that place in the final.
Cardea got the game underway and immediately set out their intentions, a long ball forward to our striker, Pollard, would see the home keeper make a brave save to feet, with only 2 minutes on the clock.
Only 2 minutes later we would see our lively striker again latch onto a throw from Georgie, only for this time to have her shot blocked by a swarm of defenders.
It was Cardea who had settled first and who would continue applying the early pressure, with the midfield of Jess, Georgie and Helen winning the early clashes in the crowded centre of the pitch.
The 6-minute mark would bring the first breakthrough and it would fall to the Cardea squad. A long throw from Titch looped over the Fulbourn defence and into the path of our own Pollard, who neatly turned and fired a shot into the home goal to give us the lead we deserved.
Fulbourn had now been awoken and straight from the restart they sent the ball forward and out down the right flank. A good cross from the impressive home winger looked on target for the head of their striker, but luckily for us our ever-impressive Poppy in the Cardea goal rose for a clean take, thwarting the first real attack from the home side.
The game then opened up with both teams defending well and trying to hit each other on the counterattack. Fulbourn would have a good chance when their forward hit a good shot only to see Poppy dive low to collect. Cardea would hit straight back with Georgie and Pollard linking well to send our captain Ruddy through, only to see her shot well saved by Poppy’s counterpart between the Fulbourn posts.
Despite it being end to end, it was becoming a scrappy game with a crowded centre of the pitch and both sides now beginning to struggle to settle on the ball and forcing each other into making silly passing errors.
For the second game running, it would look like Cardea were the ones chasing the game as Fulbourn started to make the better chances, forcing two quick corners on 15 and 19 minutes which were scrambled clear by Cardea.
The first controversial decision of the game came on 22 minutes. A sliced clearance by Fulbourn saw the ball roll back to the home keeper who picked it up, only for the ref to blow and award a free kick for a back pass.
Needless to say, this was met by loud objections from the home supporters, who a few moments later, would air their relief when the Cardea free kick was hit over the bar.
It was Cardea who would have the next good spell, hitting the home side with some quick attacking play and sending several good passes through to force the home side to clear from their own box.
The reward for the Cardea would come on 36 minutes following Poppy collecting the ball from a Fulbourn attack. The kick was sent short to Laura in defence who sent it wide for Brooke. The young winger ran at the home defence and after a neat interchange with Jess, she sent the ball through again to the ever-problematic Pollard who took her chance well and hit the Fulbourn net to make it 0-2.
Fulbourn continued to push hard towards the end of the half and always looked dangerous down both wings with several crosses into the Cardea area being dealt with well by our defence of Fiona, Laura and Maisie.
The last five minutes of the half would see a flurry of action, giving both sets of supporters something to shout about.
On 40 minutes Cardea would win their first corner of the game after some good work from Jess and Ruddy. Unfortunately, a good cross into the goalmouth would finally be cleared by the home defence.
Only 2 minutes later it would be the Cardea defence under pressure as the Fulbourn counterattack saw a cross sent out for a corner. The resulting cross was headed over the Cardea bar just before the ref’s whistle brought the first period to a close.
Despite the 0-2 score line, it had again been a Cardea performance far below what we have shown we are capable of and one where we had invited pressure by giving the ball away too easily as we had against Histon.
The second half started where the first had ended, with Fulbourn again setting the pace with some early pressure.
With not even a minute on the clock, the home side won a free kick on the edge of the Cardea box but couldn’t make the chance count. This gave an early warning for what was to come.
Both teams continued to attack each other in what was becoming a real fight between the two sides.
A cardea free kick on 50 minutes saw our own Sof again send a good curling shot over the wall but unfortunately the Fulbourn keeper was able to knock it just wide of the home goal. The resulting corner was eventually scrambled clear by the resilient home defence.
On only the 54-minute mark it would be Fulbourn who were to see their own corner scrambled clear as Cardea struggled to get hold of the loose ball. This was to be the start of a great spell by the home side who appeared to be pushing extra hard for a way back into the game.
On 58-minutes, Poppy was almost caught unaware when a long range shot forced her to make a good low save near her post.
Only 2 minutes later, the home side would see reward for the pressure they were putting onto the Cardea defence.
The ball was collected by the home midfield who put a quick ball through to their forward line. A good run by the home striker, despite being pushed out wide by Maisie, resulted in a low cross into the Cardea area that was met by a ferocious volley into the Cardea net that allowed Poppy no time to react, 1-2.
The second controversial moment of the game would fall a few minutes later to Cardea.
Olivia collected the ball just outside of our own area and the strong winger used her pace down the left flank, first beating the home midfield and then the defence before sending a ball into the Fulbourn box.
The cross was met and shot into a defender on the goal line who appeared to momentarily grab the ball before kicking it clear. The loud calls for a penalty were not agreed by the ref who waved the play from what could have been a crucial chance and turning point in the game.
It would be a moment of the game that would soon haunt Cardea. On 66 minutes Fulbourn pushed a long ball forward which caused some confusion on the edge of the Cardea box.
It was the home striker who would be first to pounce, sending a long, low shot into the bottom corner of the Cardea goal to bring this now very tense game level and see the home supporters, players and coaching staff erupt into loud celebrations.
The Cardea team seemed to be struggling, not only had we seen our 2 goal advantage slip away, but we were also picking up injuries and had seen players needing to leave the field for treatment.
The pressure from Fulbourn continued in what was their best spell of the game, as they looked to steal a place in the final from the Cardea team.
On 70 minutes came a moment that I’m sure caused every Cardea supporter to lose a heartbeat.
Another quick attack by the home side saw their striker again get behind the Cardea defence. The low cross that followed somehow beat every player and saw the ball run along the Cardea goal line before it was finally forced around the post by Poppy, just as Fulbourn were about to put it across the line.
It was a moment that thankfully appeared to send shockwaves through the Cardea side and would see the turning point of the game as it headed towards a penalty shootout.
Cardea began to get hold of the ball and our midfield started to find more room to spread the ball around.
As we headed into the final 10 minutes of normal time, Cardea hit ball after ball forward, forcing Fulbourn back.
With only 2 minutes left on the clock and with Cardea seeming to have again regained the upper hand, we would be rewarded by a goal that would see every Cardea supporter with arms raised aloft in celebration.
Good pressure through the Cardea midfield resulted in a cross into the home box that was met by a neat flick from Pollard, only for the ball to ricochet against the underside of the Fulbourn cross bar and down onto the line.
Amidst the confusion as to whether the ball had or had not crossed the line by the home side, it was our own Moff who was first to react as she pounced onto the loose ball sending a header into the net to confirm a 2-3 lead.
With one set of players and supporters celebrating and the other in disbelief, the ref confirmed that there would still be several minutes of extra time in the game, enough for this tense tie to go either way.
With the 90 minute mark passing and both teams pushing as hard as possible to get a result in their favour, it would thankfully be Cardea who would make the extra minutes count and grab the spot in the final.
Another interception by the ever impressive Helen in midfield saw the ball fed out wide to Olivia. The pacey winger again used her strength to run the ball towards the home area before she fed the ball back in field.
Ruddy collected the ball and held it well before feeding a precision pass through the home defence to Pollard, who finished the game off with a low shot past the keeper into the net to make it 2-4.
With the final whistle came celebrations amongst the Cardea squad and supporters. It had not been the best of performances again, but no semi-final is ever going to be easy. We had continued to battle throughout the game and every player had given 100% for 90 minutes, it was a real team effort that won this game.
It is becoming an incredible season for the squad as our journey continues.
With us still unbeaten in the league and with a slight advantage in the race for the title and now with TWO cup finals ahead, it is an exciting time for this Cardea squad.
Our thanks again to Fulbourn, who really made this an exciting semi-final, for their hospitality and we wish them well for the rest of their season.
The Cardea journey continues…
With the Cardea supporters spoilt over recent weeks with stadium seats, they would have to settle for park benches to watch what would be a real ‘battle’ for that place in the final.
Cardea got the game underway and immediately set out their intentions, a long ball forward to our striker, Pollard, would see the home keeper make a brave save to feet, with only 2 minutes on the clock.
Only 2 minutes later we would see our lively striker again latch onto a throw from Georgie, only for this time to have her shot blocked by a swarm of defenders.
It was Cardea who had settled first and who would continue applying the early pressure, with the midfield of Jess, Georgie and Helen winning the early clashes in the crowded centre of the pitch.
The 6-minute mark would bring the first breakthrough and it would fall to the Cardea squad. A long throw from Titch looped over the Fulbourn defence and into the path of our own Pollard, who neatly turned and fired a shot into the home goal to give us the lead we deserved.
Fulbourn had now been awoken and straight from the restart they sent the ball forward and out down the right flank. A good cross from the impressive home winger looked on target for the head of their striker, but luckily for us our ever-impressive Poppy in the Cardea goal rose for a clean take, thwarting the first real attack from the home side.
The game then opened up with both teams defending well and trying to hit each other on the counterattack. Fulbourn would have a good chance when their forward hit a good shot only to see Poppy dive low to collect. Cardea would hit straight back with Georgie and Pollard linking well to send our captain Ruddy through, only to see her shot well saved by Poppy’s counterpart between the Fulbourn posts.
Despite it being end to end, it was becoming a scrappy game with a crowded centre of the pitch and both sides now beginning to struggle to settle on the ball and forcing each other into making silly passing errors.
For the second game running, it would look like Cardea were the ones chasing the game as Fulbourn started to make the better chances, forcing two quick corners on 15 and 19 minutes which were scrambled clear by Cardea.
The first controversial decision of the game came on 22 minutes. A sliced clearance by Fulbourn saw the ball roll back to the home keeper who picked it up, only for the ref to blow and award a free kick for a back pass.
Needless to say, this was met by loud objections from the home supporters, who a few moments later, would air their relief when the Cardea free kick was hit over the bar.
It was Cardea who would have the next good spell, hitting the home side with some quick attacking play and sending several good passes through to force the home side to clear from their own box.
The reward for the Cardea would come on 36 minutes following Poppy collecting the ball from a Fulbourn attack. The kick was sent short to Laura in defence who sent it wide for Brooke. The young winger ran at the home defence and after a neat interchange with Jess, she sent the ball through again to the ever-problematic Pollard who took her chance well and hit the Fulbourn net to make it 0-2.
Fulbourn continued to push hard towards the end of the half and always looked dangerous down both wings with several crosses into the Cardea area being dealt with well by our defence of Fiona, Laura and Maisie.
The last five minutes of the half would see a flurry of action, giving both sets of supporters something to shout about.
On 40 minutes Cardea would win their first corner of the game after some good work from Jess and Ruddy. Unfortunately, a good cross into the goalmouth would finally be cleared by the home defence.
Only 2 minutes later it would be the Cardea defence under pressure as the Fulbourn counterattack saw a cross sent out for a corner. The resulting cross was headed over the Cardea bar just before the ref’s whistle brought the first period to a close.
Despite the 0-2 score line, it had again been a Cardea performance far below what we have shown we are capable of and one where we had invited pressure by giving the ball away too easily as we had against Histon.
The second half started where the first had ended, with Fulbourn again setting the pace with some early pressure.
With not even a minute on the clock, the home side won a free kick on the edge of the Cardea box but couldn’t make the chance count. This gave an early warning for what was to come.
Both teams continued to attack each other in what was becoming a real fight between the two sides.
A cardea free kick on 50 minutes saw our own Sof again send a good curling shot over the wall but unfortunately the Fulbourn keeper was able to knock it just wide of the home goal. The resulting corner was eventually scrambled clear by the resilient home defence.
On only the 54-minute mark it would be Fulbourn who were to see their own corner scrambled clear as Cardea struggled to get hold of the loose ball. This was to be the start of a great spell by the home side who appeared to be pushing extra hard for a way back into the game.
On 58-minutes, Poppy was almost caught unaware when a long range shot forced her to make a good low save near her post.
Only 2 minutes later, the home side would see reward for the pressure they were putting onto the Cardea defence.
The ball was collected by the home midfield who put a quick ball through to their forward line. A good run by the home striker, despite being pushed out wide by Maisie, resulted in a low cross into the Cardea area that was met by a ferocious volley into the Cardea net that allowed Poppy no time to react, 1-2.
The second controversial moment of the game would fall a few minutes later to Cardea.
Olivia collected the ball just outside of our own area and the strong winger used her pace down the left flank, first beating the home midfield and then the defence before sending a ball into the Fulbourn box.
The cross was met and shot into a defender on the goal line who appeared to momentarily grab the ball before kicking it clear. The loud calls for a penalty were not agreed by the ref who waved the play from what could have been a crucial chance and turning point in the game.
It would be a moment of the game that would soon haunt Cardea. On 66 minutes Fulbourn pushed a long ball forward which caused some confusion on the edge of the Cardea box.
It was the home striker who would be first to pounce, sending a long, low shot into the bottom corner of the Cardea goal to bring this now very tense game level and see the home supporters, players and coaching staff erupt into loud celebrations.
The Cardea team seemed to be struggling, not only had we seen our 2 goal advantage slip away, but we were also picking up injuries and had seen players needing to leave the field for treatment.
The pressure from Fulbourn continued in what was their best spell of the game, as they looked to steal a place in the final from the Cardea team.
On 70 minutes came a moment that I’m sure caused every Cardea supporter to lose a heartbeat.
Another quick attack by the home side saw their striker again get behind the Cardea defence. The low cross that followed somehow beat every player and saw the ball run along the Cardea goal line before it was finally forced around the post by Poppy, just as Fulbourn were about to put it across the line.
It was a moment that thankfully appeared to send shockwaves through the Cardea side and would see the turning point of the game as it headed towards a penalty shootout.
Cardea began to get hold of the ball and our midfield started to find more room to spread the ball around.
As we headed into the final 10 minutes of normal time, Cardea hit ball after ball forward, forcing Fulbourn back.
With only 2 minutes left on the clock and with Cardea seeming to have again regained the upper hand, we would be rewarded by a goal that would see every Cardea supporter with arms raised aloft in celebration.
Good pressure through the Cardea midfield resulted in a cross into the home box that was met by a neat flick from Pollard, only for the ball to ricochet against the underside of the Fulbourn cross bar and down onto the line.
Amidst the confusion as to whether the ball had or had not crossed the line by the home side, it was our own Moff who was first to react as she pounced onto the loose ball sending a header into the net to confirm a 2-3 lead.
With one set of players and supporters celebrating and the other in disbelief, the ref confirmed that there would still be several minutes of extra time in the game, enough for this tense tie to go either way.
With the 90 minute mark passing and both teams pushing as hard as possible to get a result in their favour, it would thankfully be Cardea who would make the extra minutes count and grab the spot in the final.
Another interception by the ever impressive Helen in midfield saw the ball fed out wide to Olivia. The pacey winger again used her strength to run the ball towards the home area before she fed the ball back in field.
Ruddy collected the ball and held it well before feeding a precision pass through the home defence to Pollard, who finished the game off with a low shot past the keeper into the net to make it 2-4.
With the final whistle came celebrations amongst the Cardea squad and supporters. It had not been the best of performances again, but no semi-final is ever going to be easy. We had continued to battle throughout the game and every player had given 100% for 90 minutes, it was a real team effort that won this game.
It is becoming an incredible season for the squad as our journey continues.
With us still unbeaten in the league and with a slight advantage in the race for the title and now with TWO cup finals ahead, it is an exciting time for this Cardea squad.
Our thanks again to Fulbourn, who really made this an exciting semi-final, for their hospitality and we wish them well for the rest of their season.
The Cardea journey continues…
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