SULLY SPORTS LADIES 4

NEWPORT COUNTY LADIES 2

ON A gloriously sunny Swanbridge afternoon, Sully Sports Ladies missed two early chances on the break and conceded a penalty after a poor challenge.

Much to the dismay of Sports goalkeeper Abi White, who got a hand to the ball, the spot kick was dispatched with venom.

Shortly after, Newport, playing with confidence, were 2-0 up when White, in trying to close down a Newport attacker, unfortunately collided with oncoming colleague Kiesha Cordle, allowing the visiting player to slot home.

Past performances dictated that Sully would now drop their heads and concede more goals, but this is no longer the case as a galvanised home side began the fightback, spurred on by the returning Natasha White who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with some big tackles.

After some stern half-time words from the management team of Sarah George and Mark Brown, and the introduction of Thea Howells, Sully began to dominate and it wasn’t long before pressure became goals. Hattie Gillet, now excelling, finished off some fantastic work from Kimberley Margetts on the wing and then grabbed a second with a brilliant strike/delivery direct from a corner.

As was the case the previous week, Sully’s defence of Hannah Moger, Cordle, Georgia Knight and Sarah Glover were now permanently camped on the halfway line, and a ball over the top from defence was met by onrushing Abigail Smyth, who delightfully and expertly lobbed the 'keeper to put Sully 3-2 up.

Wing play was now in full effect, with Margetts and Molly Chapman breaking free at will after being supplied by Emma Reynolds, Howells and Smyth who were clearly winning their personal battles. This was evident as another great corner delivery by Gillet was headed home by Reynolds.

The introduction of Kate Gronow on the left of midfield ensured no threat down that side and Sully managed to see out the rest of the game for a deserved win.

Woman of the match was shared by the industrious Smyth and birthday girl Moger, who retained the title for a second week after another solid performance. If only her birthday challenge went as smoothly as the game.