PV Ladies’ Sunday League

Kingsbridge and Salcombe IIs 5,

Plymouth University 0

Kingsbridge and Salcombe IIs played Plymouth Uni for their penultimate league match of the ­season, and with a good turnout of supporters the team were ready to showcase all the skills they have learnt during the season.

The Cougars displayed their A game from the very start, showing their strength and determination. Only 30 seconds had gone and the Cougars had already bagged their first goal. Three swift passes, each delivered with precision and power between Violet Moore, Cara Yeoman, Heather Mockridge and a final strong sweep from Lottie Sutherland, saw Kingsbridge take the lead.

With the Cougars keeping their game faces on and heads level, spectators witnessed some strong tackling from Yeoman and Lauren Darbyshire in the centre, meaning Plymouth Uni struggled to get it past the halfway line. Plymouth Uni fought hard and picked up their tempo, but great distribution of the ball, along with the famous ‘Favis shuffle’, saw Kingsbridge have some brilliant attempts at goals from both forwards, Moore and Mockeridge.

A short corner saw Laura Tregelles give a ­powerful strike and score a cracking goal, but this was disallowed due to a technical fault, with the ball not crossing the line as it came out of the D. The team were awarded a few more short corners, but Plymouth Uni’s defence prevented any further goals in the first half.

After a quick rehydration and inspiring team talk from coach Chris Guard, telling the team to keep their energy high, communication up and passes swift, the Cougars were ready for round two.

Kingsbridge IIs took on board the advice from half time and worked hard for more goals. Left and right halfs Katie Flintham and Harriet Haddy made some exceptional runs down the line and crosses into the D. After non-stop battling, the Cougars’ hard work paid off, with a beautiful assist from Darbyshire allowing Mockeridge to launch the ball into the opponents’ back board in the 41st minute.

The excitement didn’t stop there: in the 56th minute a penalty flick was awarded to Kingsbridge after a Uni foot on the line. Darbyshire rose to

the occasion and, despite the pressure, showed everyone how it’s done by placing the ball in the bottom left-hand corner. This made the score a healthy 3-0 to Kingsbridge and, with only 14 ­minutes to go, the team were not about to slow down.

Plymouth Uni made some quick and aggressive advances towards Kingsbridge’s goal, but centre back Anna Mcabe kept her head straight and organised her back line well. In defence, Katie Merrin, LJ Ahern and Nicky Shepard all stayed strong and made some excellent tackles to drive the ball back up the pitch. Goalkeeper Erin Murgatroyd had very little to do except assist her amazing defence to thwart any advance.

With time slowly ticking down, Sutherland used her awesome stick skills to zoom past the defence and pass the ball to Yeoman – who had come back better than ever after a high temperature had ­prevented her from playing the week before – in the 61st minute, who scored a well-deserved goal.

When another short corner was awarded to the Cougars, Tregelles got another chance to score and she did not waste it. With a quick, accurate push from Darbyshire, she hit the ball with immense power into the goal, scoring the fifth and final goal of the match.

Kingsbridge and Salcombe IIs really showcased how much they have grown this season in both skill and confidence, with every player rising to the challenges Plymouth Uni presented, all thanks to the knowledge and support of coaches Chris and Claire Guard. Player of the match was ­awarded to both Heather Mockridge and Lottie Sutherland, who put 110 per cent into their game.

A huge thank you to Tony Paul from TP Construction for being the match ball sponsor.