Cheddar Ladies 1 - 1 Caldicot ladies

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In their first ever “external game”, an international match at that, Cheddar Ladies WFC were superb in getting a draw against a good and resilient Caldicot side, who had some very good individuals within a strong team framework.

The game was superbly refereed by the official from Caldicot, who advised the team that there would be four quarters rather than the traditional two halves, with each quarter being 15 minutes. This gave both teams the chance to not only rest and substitute players, but also to rethink their approach in the next quarter.

 

The first quarter, was goalless, but showed Cheddar at their very best in building up possession, with even Lindsay Rogers, who was superb in goal all evening, showing fantastic distribution from the back.

At the back Nikki Llewellyn was “a rock” throughout and ensured that a goal was going to be hard earned by the home team, but during the opening period, they never got a sniff!

Alongside Nicky was the imposing comment, yet short, Julie Rogers, who was vocal, organised and a great player throughout the whole game. Rodgers was very much the link between the defence and the midfield strike attack and showed her fantastic skills both on and off the ball.

Alongside Rogers was a midfield with the non-stop energy of Chelsea Llewellyn and Nicky Frewin both of whom were everywhere during the game, and both had fantastic games, with later in the game a reward for her fantastic performance, in the form of a goal, scored by Chelsea Llewellyn.

Completing the team that started for Cheddar was Jane White and her strike partner, Sarah Williams.

It was Williams who came closest to scoring in the first quarter as a super strike of hers hit the post unfortunately coming out rather than going into the net.

This was a real shame for the Cheddar side, and for Williams in particular who was a constant threat to the home team. At the end of the first quarter the score was still level at 0-0 but Cheddar had established himself in the game superbly.

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On the bench initially were Kelly Hiller (struggling through her knee injury but showing great commitment to the team) and Jane Morgan, battling her own injury/illness but also enduring the Cheddar side had enough players to allow rest when required.

 

The second quarter also saw no goals scored with both defences on top, despite lots of great attacking play from both sides. But a combination of superb keeping, particularly by Rogers in the Cheddar goal, but also by the Caldicot keeper, who was stopping everything that was shot at her, ensured the scoreline did not match the quality of attacking play on show.

 

At the break the score was still level at 0-0, but both teams had put in a fantastic effort, as well as very good technical performances.

It was clear that Cheddar again had to watch several of the Caldicot players, with “Bec” the best of them, and she was a constant threat to the Cheddar side throughout, and ultimately this lady had the “last laugh” in the final quarter of the game.

 

However early in the second half Cheddar had introduced Kelly Hillier to their attack and Jane Morgan to bring some calm and good ball play to the midfield, and it was Morgan who had several shots at goal, unfortunately stopped by the keeper but showed the threat that the Cheddar side had throughout.

It was halfway through the third quarter that Cheddar took a deserved lead and the goal came from a fantastic strike by the constantly impressive Chelsea Llewellyn, which left the keeper with no hope. Cheddar continued to push forward and looked like they may get a second goal but were resisted by great defending work by the Caldicot side, and the whistle was blown at the end of the third quarter with Cheddar with a deserved, but narrow, 1-0 lead.

 

The last quarter saw Frewin rested initially for Cheddar and also Jane Morgan have to come off as struggling with her fitness levels, which was a shame as she was playing so well for the team. However, this gave the chance for Sarah Williams and Jane White to re-emerge and create havoc amongst the home side.

However, with 10 minutes to go it was the Caldicot striker, Bec, who found herself in a little space, just outside of the box and rifled home a shot into the top corner that no goalkeeper was going to stop, even the fantastic Lindsay Rogers!

The last 10 minutes saw Cheddar drive forward time after time but the Caldicot side resist through a combination of extreme hard work, great defending, and some superb keeping.

So, despite virtual non-stop possession the Cheddar side, driven forward constantly by Julie Rogers, could not quite get the winning goal that their fantastic performance deserved.

 

After the game the teams gave a resounding three cheers to each other which was recognition of the respect that both teams had shown to each other and Cheddar now look forward very much to a return visit from the Caldicot team, at a time to suit them, hopefully in the near future.

 

Overall the manager, Tim Richens, was extremely proud and delighted with the Cheddar performance, because, as well as showing a fantastic attitude throughout in all they did, the ladies were an absolute credit to the club as a whole.

This was particularly credit to the other ladies who play in their sessions on a Tuesday, unfortunately several of whom were unable to attend the match as it was the school holidays.

 

Cheddar Side

Lindsay Rogers, Nikki Llewellyn, Julie Rogers (Capt), Nicky Frewin, Chelsea Llewellyn, Jane White, Sarah Williams.

 

Subs Kelly Hillier & Jane Morgan

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