Last minute heartbreak for Cardea against Pinchbeck.

Cardea went into this game having secured 3rd spot in the league the week before when Hungate Rovers couldn't raise a team. Cardea seemed to start well until, in the 6th minute, a quick break from Pinchbeck saw their striker break the Cardea back line and slot home 1 v 1 to make it 0-1.

Cardea didn't let their head drops though and to continued to play their own game. Cardea came close a few times with Jess O'Sullivan, Courtney Coles and Laura Rudd coming close from distance. The pressure eventually told and Cardea broke the defence of Pinchbeck to make it 1-1. Laura Rudd sent in a cross from the right flank, the ball was a little too high for Coles but was expertly controlled at the back post by her strike partner Jess, who made no mistake in making it 1 all.

With both teams looking to take control, it was Cardea who eventually took the lead in the 38th minute, Nicola Anderson sending through a well timed pass to her CMP (we don’t know either) Laura Rudd who broke through for her own 1v1 and calmly slotted home!

Pinchbeck twice came close to levelling the score when they hit the post and forced Carlie Rudd into a fine save at her near post. 2-1 Cardea at Half Time.

Cardea started the 2nd half well and quickly extended their lead in the 52nd minute! A fine corner in from Nicola Anderson found her CMP Laura Rudd again, who headed home well from close range.
Cardea did have more chances to extend the lead even more but failed to take any of them. Courtney Coles and Jessica O'Sullivan both being ruled off side and Danni King, who found lots of freedom down the right, unable to make anything of the space.

In the 78th minute Cardea's luck ran out as Pinchbeck pulled one back against the run of play again! Natalie Upson was unfortunately in the wrong place at the wrong time as she saw a cross come straight off her and into her own net! The defender didn't deserve this slice of bad luck considering how well she had been playing up to this point.

Pinchbeck were clearly uplifted by this bit of luck and took the game to Cardea. It wasn’t long before they got the equaliser. The ball was given away cheaply by Cardea just inside the Pinchbeck half and this allowed Pinchbeck the space to run in to. The striker took advantage to finish well. 3-3.

In the 89th minute Cardea hearts were broken when Pinchbeck scored a fourth to win the game. The Pinchbeck attack coming down the right hand side and a calmly taken finish after a superb cut back left Carlie with no chance.

After the game a downbeat Daniel Gibbs said “I'm disappointed to say the least, but I'm more disappointed for the players who have worked so hard today and have come away with nothing. We had 2 players struggle with cramp that shows just how hard they worked for the team.

I think we were the better side for large parts of the game but we didn't take our chances and that has cost us.

Player of the match went to Nicola Anderson. I asked Nic to play with a smile on her face and enjoy herself, and she did exactly that and ran the show from midfield. well done Nic!