Dawlish Town Ladies 3 Exmouth Town 1
As the Seasiders long unbeaten run continues they faced their toughest test yet as they came up against the table topping Exmouth Town. The first half saw Exmouth taking the game to the home side , and with the help of the wind they mounted a series of attacks on the Dawlish goal, but found Sarah Webster in sublime form as she pulled off a string of 1 V 1 saves. The Seasiders themselves came close on a couple of occasions with Kirsty Lewis hitting over the bar from close range, and Laura Gough hitting the post. With 10 minutes to go to half term Exmouth finally broke the deadlock when top goal scorer Celine Le Boyer was found in acres of space and slotted the ball past the unlucky Webster.
Dawlish obviously needed to improve in the second half and they quickly responded when Laura Gough grabbed an equaliser in the first 5 minutes. Not long after Kirsty Lewis grabbed her 7th goal of the season to take the Seasiders into the lead. After this Dawlish started to play to their capabilities and could have extended their lead before Laura Gough rounded the goalkeeper to make it 3-1 to the home side. Exmouth replied with a string of attacks, but were left frustrated as Sarah Webster pulled off some more stunning saves which rightly earned her the player of the match award.With 5 minutes to go Exmouth grabbed a lucky second goal but this was not enough to take any of the points as Dawlish carried on their winning streak, and moved closer to safety.
Dawlish Town Ladies 4 Exmouth Town 3
The clash with a team near the top of the table had the possibility of a classic, with the last encounter being won by a late, late goal by Exmouth. The first half was a close, scrappy affair with both teams missing chances. Both goals were against the run of play with the opposing team being on top when the goals were conceded. Exmouth took the lead with a well taken goal after Dawlish were piling on pressure. A reply soon came when a Dawlish through ball left Maria Bintcliffe through one on one who lofted the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper to leave the scores level at half time, 1-1.
The first twenty minutes of the second half, Dawlish capitulated, ansd were soon a3-1 down, five months ago the team would be disheartened and beaten. But in those months the team has grown in skill, teamwork and determination and a second from Bintcliffe and a brace from Kirsty Lewis meant the visitors had clawed back the initiative and a 4-3 lead. A series of missed one on ones and a missed penalty were in the end to cost Dawlish the win when Exmouth equalized with seconds left on the clock. Once again, this was an outstanding performance by Dawlish, but Exmouth, their goalkeeper in particular earned credit with this performance. If the Seasiders continue to gel like this showing, they have a very realistic chance of salvaging the season.
Dawlish Town Ladies 4 vs Exeter Ranger Ladies 3
This crucial game was key in the Dawlish Town Ladies season with a win taking them out of the minus points and off the bottom of the table. Dawlish started brightly with the combination of Vonnie Cockram and Kirtsy Lewis shredding the Exeter left apart, this combined with a solid performance from the defensive unit was the reason for early Dawlish dominance. A through ball ran onto by Vonnie Cockram down the Seasider’s left created the first goal, a cut inside and a viciously whipped cross was too hot for the Exeter defence to handle and an unfortunate own goal meant a 1-0 lead for the home side, at which it stayed until half time.
The second half could not have been more in contrast to the first. Exeter started brightly and twenty minutes into the second half were 2-1 up with Dawlish performing under par and in need of a drastic turnaround, but the inspiration and determination soon kicked in. A corner to the front post was met crisply by Beverly Head, who volleyed the ball into the roof of the net to level the score.
The rest of the game was end to end football, with Sarah Webster and her opposing number being thanked by both teams for keeping the score at 2-2, a superb save by the Rangers keeper from a penalty being the highlight of these. In the dying seconds of the game, a free kick was awarded to Dawlish twenty yards from goal. A thunderous, unstoppable strike from Tess Bailey crashed in off the bar to give the Seasider’s a goal and all three points.
Marcus Pritchard, Dawlish Assistant Manager commented after the match,“The improvement, effort and determination that the team produced, if continued, evidently will see the team rise up the table, which is what the girls deserve.”
Dawlish Ladies 1 vs. Feniton Ladies 1.
Dawlish Ladies came into the match full of confidence after their recent results against the experienced Feniton. The match started off at a slow pace. Dawlish led most of the play in the first ten from the left wing, thanks to a great partnership between Kirsty Lewis and Siobhan Cockram. Dawlish had a few opportunities but were unable to find the finish they needed. Feniton we’re a strong side and battled through the Dawlish centre backs to get a couple of shots on goal, which were all well collected by Sarah Webster. Half way through the first half, Dawlish were given a free kick just outside the area, Thereze Bayley step up and planted the ball into the top corner to give Dawlish the lead.
Kirsty Lewis and the Feniton right midfielder collided and Kirsty came off worse. She had to be substituted causing Dawlish to make a few tactical decisions and re-shuffle the team. This gave Dawlish further momentum as they continued to bulldoze their way through the Feniton full backs. Mariah Bintcliffe coming close on a few occasions and Siobhan Cockram hitting the bar from a strike outside the 18-yard box. Feniton were a well organised team in the centre and gave the Seasiders a hard battle in this area but Dawlish took a 1-0 lead into the half time break.
After the half time break, Feniton continued to hassle the central midfielders. They then broke through the Seasiders defence and with a low shot, the ball went in the back of the net. Sarah Webster showed a great display in goal yet again and kept Dawlish in the game but only after Thereze Bayley had to clear the ball off the line after the Feniton forward shot went through Sarah Websters legs. Tess Bailey and Beverly Head made a few critical tackles as Feniton continued to press forward, but Dawlish maintained their strength and the sides finished the game level at 1-1.
Dawlish Town Ladies 7 Plymouth University Ladies 3
After a good run of form toward the end of 2007, much was expected from the Dawlish side, even though they had not played a competitive game for 8 weeks. Unfortunately the Seasiders started off the game looking like a side that hadn’t played in a while, and due to some poor defending they found themselves 2 – 0 down after 20 minutes. Things could have been worse if it had not been for Sarah Webster in goal who keep Dawlish in the game with a string of excellent saves. This seemed to spark Dawlish into life as they started to create some good opportunities before Kirsty Lewis grabbed two quick goals in succession bringing the Seasiders level. At this point Dawlish were in control of the game, and took the lead through a supurb goal from Vonnie Cockram, which took them into the break with a 3 – 2 lead.
The second half saw Dawlish coming out of the traps early, and quickly added to their lead through another Vonnie Cockram goal. The University were struggling to handle the pressure from Dawlish. Just when things seemed to be going well Sarah Webster suffered an injury and had to be taken off, leaving skipper Bev Head to step in between the sticks.This unsettled the home side especially when Plymouth grabbed a goal back. The Seasider’s regained their composure and from there on in they did not look back, adding another 3 goals, 1 for Tess Bayley, and another 2 for the impressive Vonnie Cockram taking her total to 4 for the game and the teams 7-3 win against a team high up in the Devon Ladies League.