Petroc division one

Isca 1,

KS Cougars 1

It was an early doors start for the Cougars as they travelled to Exeter last Saturday for the first of two crunch games which would decide who takes the league title in Petroc division one this year.

Playing on the recently relaid water-based pitch at Exeter University Sports Park, the Cougars faced two challenges, a strong Isca side and a much different surface than the usual.

A faster ball pace, softer surface and bouncier receive all added to the focus KS needed to bring to their game.

Starting well, KS delivered a strong first five minutes as they held the majority of play before Isca began to counter as they settled in to their game.

The match was soon rattling from end to end as each side built strong passages of possession and attacking play with Emily Read, Lou Read and Nic Bowes delivering a superb work rate through the middle of the pitch.

Inside forwards Chloe Harvey and Bex Darke constantly probed the Isca defence as they attacked together in support of captain Helen Symons.

Chances were being created and Symons, Darke, Rachel Roberts and Hannah Durrans all came close but were denied by some fine goalkeeping.  

Neither side could break the deadlock as KS just held the upper hand in terms of pressure in front of goal, with both defences working overtime as Fi Wadey and Gemma Harvey tackled resolutely and 'keeper Claire Jones pulled off some fine saves.

With the match on a knife edge, it was Isca who finally struck first with a well-taken goal on the half hour mark.

With five minutes remaining to half-time KS remained undaunted and continued to attack at pace. 

Despite taking the lead, Isca were on the back foot as a steady build of possession in the midfield released the dream team into space, overlapping passes to drive towards goal, Harvey and Darke blitzed through the Isca formation as they closed in on the D.

With a final slip from Darke inside the D, Chloe Harvey picked her spot and and left the Isca 'keeper no chance as she buried the ball safely in the back corner to maintain her goal scoring form.

With perfect timing on the equaliser, KS broke for half-time and a well-earned rest.

The match was hanging in the balance and could easily go either way as both teams were playing at a superb pace.

On a fast surface, quick movement of the ball and continuous pressure in the tackle would be key to finding an edge and taking all three points at the end of the game.

With no let up in pace the game resumed as before with both teams attacking and countering with great passages of play.

Abi Bell worked tirelessly as the Cougars' utility player in covering most positions on the pitch to keep fresh legs rotating through the formation as the game switched from end to end and Sarah Budgen worked width into the attacks on the right side.

For every scoring chance the Cougars created Isca matched them at the other end as the whole KS forward line all saw shots well saved or scrambled clear by the Isca defence. In return Jones, Wadey, Gemma Harvey and Lou Read all made game-saving blocks on front of the KS goal to keep the match alive.

As the clock counted down the scores were still tied into the closing minutes in an evenly balanced game played with skill, pace, determination and great spirit from both sides. One final chance fell to KS as a short corner was awarded on the closing whistle but the Cougars were unable to convert and the game finished in a well earned draw for both sides.

KS have been on top of the league since day one of the season and the draw sees them slip to second place, one point behind Exeter University, to set up a thrilling 'winner takes all' game this weekend.

The Cougars would love to see the home crowd out in force to cheer them on in their last home game of the season.

In last week's triumph against Newton Abbot, having shown skill, determination and true Cougars spirit in her first senior league game, Fern was a well deserved landslide winner for woman-of-the match.