Penalty shoot out drama as Carillon Women exit cup
LOUGHBOROUGH CARILLON WOMEN 1 HALF CENTURY1 HALF CENTURY GO THROUGH 5-4 ON
PENALTIES AFTER a first few weeks of success in Leicestershire Division One, Loughborough Carillon Ladies were eager to test themselves in their first round cup tie against Half Century from the Leicestershire Premier Division.
A strong start saw Carillon’s ladies piling pressure on the Half Century goal for much of the first half. Carillon built the play nicely and youngsters, Aimee Cleminson, Anna Godwin and Zoe Howick shone as they repeatedly drove into the D and sent a number of cracking balls flashing across the face of goal.
A few decent chances went begging before top goal-scorer, Katie Latter, put one away and Carillon went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.
Half Century came back stronger in the second half, pressing higher and finding ways through the midfield. The Carillon defence needed to work hard to keep Half Century’s skilful attack at bay; Georgia Allen repeatedly showed strength and composure beyond her years in turning over the ball and linking up nicely with the forward line to set Carillon back on the attack.
Carillon utilised the wings well to take the ball high but couldn’t get another goal.
A more even game now, goalkeeper Abi Draper made a couple of clearances but eventually, Half Century got the equaliser.
So it was 1-1 at full time and the excitement of penalty flicks followed.
Both keepers made a save in the initial set of penalties. Draper got tantalisingly close to saving a couple more as she got stick and pad to the ball and was later voted ‘ player of the match’ by the opposition.
Going into ‘sudden death’ penalties, Half Century took the first well, but the Carillon taker was deemed to have ‘hit’, rather than ‘pushed’, the ball.
So after a dynamic, exciting game, Half Century took the win.