Premier division 2B

Teign 2,

Kingsbridge and Salcombe Cougars 0

KS missed out on securing points last weekend in a game that could have gone either way as they took on Teign, who were level on points with the Kingsbridge side. 

Both teams started strongly and got stuck in to a well-contested game, with Teign bringing some fine early saves from KS ‘keeper Claire Jones before Laura Kerly saw a rocket shot saved at the other end from the smallest of touches. KS were holding shape well, with great depth to their defence, as Tess Baker worked like a trooper in the right half slot, driving out of the pack and linking with her inside forwards on the break.

With play flowing from end to end, inside forwards Helen Symons and Chloe Harvey put in a great workrate through the inside channels to support the breaks as Sarah Budgen, Gem Samuel and Fern Tucker ran the wings to track their markers. 

Teign took a narrow lead into half time when an angled shot rebounded from the post and their forward reacted faster than the KS defending players, tapping home the loose ball for a simple finish.

With the match hanging in the balance and KS creating scoring opportunities, there was all to play for in the second half, with a focus on closer connections and a more structured approach to outletting.

The match resumed with both sides attacking at pace. Teign were managing their possession well through transitions and balls into space, with KS countering with strong play through Emily Read in the centre and quick shut downs on the left from Bex Darke.

Fi Wadey and Rachel Roberts delivered stunning performances in defence throughout the match, stepping high to support the Cougars’ attacks and laying in a solid barrier defence to protect their D. Some fantastic channeling from both players on the Teign breaks pinned the opposition ball carriers to the wide channels and cut off their attacks.

As the half progressed Teign continued to build pressure through committed layering, immediately applying two or three players to the ball and tireless movement into space with a hunger that KS struggled to match. 

Having defended well in numbers, KS failed to find the safe pass out of their 25 and gave the ball back to Teign, who punished the error with a simple finish by the unmarked player to take the score to 2-0.

KS continued to look for a goal and came close from well-worked short corner routines and build-up play, Symons drawing a good save from a dragflick and Kerly firing just outside the post.

On another day KS could have walked away with a result if they had the luck of the bounce on their shots and retained a little more possession. An outstanding performance in goal saw KS ‘keeper Claire Jones taking both coaches’ player and woman of the match awards at post match teas.

The Cougars have a Saturday off from league action this weekend but take on Plymouth Uni at KCC in the semi-final of the Devon Cup on Sunday at 11am.