S- Tech Women’s Junior Invitation Cup Final
Wednesday 21 April
This final turned into and epic and gripping encounter with both teams playing to their own strengths. Outwell Ladies were the first Fenland league team to appear in this final against S-Tech Cambs League opposition in Exning, the teams lying third and second in their respective leagues.
This was a difficult match to call before the start, and during the game there was no real indication, as possession and opportunities swung between the teams.
They took a while to settle but Outwell Swifts had the edge in the first 10 minutes as they worked hard to keep possession. Exning then had a period of control with a number of shots and a free kick which was just shy of the top right corner of the Outwell goal.
The breakthrough came on 40 minutes when a Outwell player (no.13) ran through the right midfield channel and cut inside into the penalty area to place the ball past the keeper inside the far post.
The game then came to life. Exning, determined to get back on even terms, had a succession of shots just wide of goal. Just before the break the Outwell keeper made an important interception with her feet coming out of the goal to ensure her team finished the first half in the lead.
Exning were to find an equaliser early in the second half when another run through the midfield saw the ball coolly slotted past the Outwell keeper. Outwell were quick to respond with a shot on the corner of the penalty area shaving the top right post. Exning had a number of very good opportunities in the second half to take the lead with sustained pressure on the Outwell goal but were frustrated on each occasion. The Outwell keeper did well to stop the ball finding the net when she was caught out of her area but recovered, scrambling back to intercept a pass being played through to an Exning attacker.
The game went into extra time and both teams were still unable to find an advantage. Outwell looked the more tired team, this led to mistakes including miss hit clearances, but the Exning attack were unable to capitalise however hard they tried.
The drama of penalties followed. Outwell took the first kick and, after 4 penalties each, Outwell had scored their first three, missing the fourth with Exning having missed their 1st and 3 penalties scoring their 2nd and 4th. Outwell scored their 5th to win.
This was an entertaining match and both teams, on reflection, will look back on this final as a good match to have played a part in.
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