Thursday 26th September

Kick Cancer Cup 2019

 Delighted to be covering a match report of a different variety on Women’s Football East, a special date in the women’s footballing calendar in Cambridgeshire now entering it’s 5th year the Kick Cancer Cup.

  A charity match between Sam’s XI and an S-Tech XI League representative side, raising money for two very worthy causes, the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and the Arthur Rank Hospice.

  Invited to write a match report last year only too happy to cover it again having been a spectator at previous games. The Kick Cancer Cup set up by the aforementioned Sam, Samantha Isaacson with support from many friends and family. Sam was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2015, both charities playing a large role in helping her with her ongoing treatment. In all that time has continued to play for her club Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds outfield or in goal. Sam has helped raise nearly £50,000 so far for charity.

  The Kick Cancer Cup contested between Sam’s XI and an Cambridgeshire S-tech XI assembled from the clubs playing with the Premiership and Championship in the county 17 clubs in total represented. The S-Tech XI having had the better of Sam’s XI in the first 3 years of the Kick Cancer Cup. Sam’s XI winning the game for the first time last year 3-2 will be determined to make it back to back wins. 

  Plenty to be organised, cake stall, raffle, food and bar all available the venue Histon FC’s Glassworld Stadium the pitch a good size nice and wide in very good condition. Rain earlier in the week stayed away most of the day leaving a pleasant night for football. Musical entertainment from Holly Jean Sings before the match, a singer/songwriter from Cambridgeshire. The Cambridge Dynamite Cheerleaders putting on a display prior to kick-off with band 15:48 providing the half-time entertainment. A good sized crowd building as the two squads prepared for the game.

Sam’s XI squad – Samantha Issacson, Dominika Szary, Emma D’Costa, Abi Molloy, Sarah Bodger, Jess Anderson, Seema Grewal, Nat Wells, Kirstie Smith, Georgia Astley Tyler, Nikki Cowan, Emma Place, Laura Mills, Kayleigh Whitehead, Jo Woods, Emma Clark, Jenna Hulme, Katie Luddy, Krissie Taylor, Olivia Clark, Naomi Weir, Stacey Fullicks, Michelle McCormack, Ebony Rule, Marie Stubbings, Stacey Kemp, Vicky Houchin, Joeli Kirby & Tash Applegate.

Sam’s XI Management Team – Vicky Neal & Kevin Knock.

S-Tech XI squad – Beth Goodman & Fran Kavanagh (Ketton Ladies), Peggy Keeler & Steph Swinyard (Cambourne United), Libbie Read & Ruth Telfer (Cambridge Rangers), Louisa Harwood & Kat Silver (Isleham United Ladies), Caitlin McGeown & Cherish Sibanda (St Ives Town Ladies), Evie Jakes & Leah Harper (Newmarket Town Women), Jess Farchica & Carmen Herridge (ICA Sports Ladies), Alexi Waters & Eleanor McLeish (March Town United Ladies), Melissa Collins & Jasmine Luckett (Mildenhall Town Ladies), Fran Piltsch & Nikki Hancock (Park Ladies), Sydney Davies & Amanda Binge (Histon Ladies), Kayla Dortch & Charley Ireland (PNS Ladies), Hannah Lock & Jess (Cambridge City Ladies), Georgina Parrett & Katie Cooper (Netherton United Ladies), (Kat Clocherty & El Morgan (Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds), Amy Newell and Chloe Stanborough (Leverington Ladies), Beth Harding & Ella Terri (Haverhill Rovers Ladies).

S-Tech XI Management Team – Katie Critchley & Liz Pamplin.

  Large squads for both sides and substitutes happening on mass, didn’t even try to keep track of them, everyone playing their part in the event.

  The S-Tech XI to get tonight’s charity match underway kicking off 1st half wearing grey coloured shirts with black shorts and socks. Sam’s XI wearing blue shirts a white upper part, black shorts and blue socks. The ball put back into defence sent long at the start out to the right Georgina Parrett making the run, Jess Anderson deals with the ball at the back for Sam’s XI on the immediate counter attack the ball forwards Marie Stubbings racing in behind, the ball safely gathered by Katie Cooper keeping goal for the S-Tech XI.

  GOAL! An early goal capping a lively start to the game, the S-Tech XI attacking on the left wing the ball high slid forwards into the run of Hannah Lock sliding in to get to the ball before the defence sends in past goalkeeper Samantha Issacson across the face of goal and in of the opposite post to opening the scoring 0-1.

 

  Laura Mills advancing with the ball down the right for Sam’s XI lays it forwards with Stubbings bursting through the middle, just a little too early the flag up against her. Both sides looking to get forwards quickly S-Tech clear on the right a cross/shot fired along the front of goal out past the far post. Parrett looks to put Peggy Keeler in as the full back goes past her in attack, Anderson across to win the challenge. The ball fed through the middle into Stubbings top of the D she looks to pass the Katie Luddy up with her, Beth Goodman close in defending against Luddy to set up an attack for the S-Tech XI, Parrett lively on the right early on. 

  GOAL! Sam’s XI come back to level the scores turning play around defending the ball put on over halfway with Stubbings latching onto it off like a hare baring down on the area into the box closing in on the six yard box can’t be caught opens her body to send a low shot under the keeper before she can get down to save 1-1. 10 minutes gone.

  GOAL! No sooner have they got back on level terms then Sam’s XI concede, Chloe Stanborough playing in centre midfield of the S-Tech Xi taking the ball on travelling a pace right side before cutting back and strike the ball well form 25 yards out the ball racing across the keeper into the bottom corner 1-2.

  Sam’s XI push on in attack Krissie Taylor up with Stubbings top of the area outnumbering Keller, the defender nevertheless cool under pressure keeping her eyes on the ball not letting either it get away from her before clearing for Parrett to bring up field. Mills always ready to take players on attacking down the right wins a throw deep. Keeler the first change of the match coming off with Caitlin McGeown joining the S-Tech defence. McGeown called into action straight away the ball in from the right evading the crowded near post area runs across goal, Taylor ready to pounce inside the six yard box McGeown nipping in in front of her to win the ball and clear.

 

 Issacson with a fantastic save down low at her near post to deny Parrett a goal as she slides in to push the ball goalwards inside the area. The ball put long for Sam’s XI, Stubbings controlling well bringing it on to the top of the S-Tech area, the opposition defence closing her option Stubbings lays it back to the advancing, Vicky Houchin she leans into a shot from 25 yards out the ball looping towards goal not troubling Cooper. A free-kick on halfway for the S-Tech XI, Goodman over it, decides to try her luck sending a high ball towards goal, drops behind for a goal kick. 

  Taylor combining with Stubbings as they advance for Sam’s XI through the middle, McGeown coming in field tackling to regain possession. Great running from Mills on Sam’s XI right wing getting deep squared a cross in intercepted and cleared near post by S-Tech’s Steph Swinyard. S-Tech quick to launch a counter offensive Stanborough on for Fran Kavanagh to race clear right channel into the area one on one with the keeper, Issacson stays big to make the blocking save as Kavanagh shoots.

   I’m getting little opportunity to put the pen down the action one end the the other Stubbings forever a threat ready to burst in behind, Cooper making the decision to race out of her box in an attempt to reach the ball before Stubbings can shoot, the ball put past the keeper, rolls agonisingly wide of the far post. Half and hour played sees a change en masse think Cooper’s still the only one out there a new team for both sides with 15 minutes of the half left. A free-kick on halfway right for the S-Tech XI, Beth Harding on it the ball towards the top of the area headed on into the area hooked clear by the Sam’s XI defence a counter on Stacey Kemp making the central run shoots from all of 30 yards out, Cooper back peddling towards her goal able to gather the ball.

   GOAL! Sam’s XI taking full advantage of all the new additions to the action bringing it back to 2-2. Stacey Fullicks building a career as a referee these days marking her return from a 4 week injury lay off with a playing cameo tonight on the ball for Sam’s Xi left side lifts the pass on for Tash Applegate in attack coming over to receive the ball a good touch and turn sees her escape her marker to make for the area, the keeper coming out to challenge a 50/50 challenge off her legs Applegate off balance staying on her feet after the ball deflected in behind and sends a shot from inside the six yard box to score 2-2.

  The new look Sam’s XI bright as they push on Fullicks keen to get forwards on the left, Harding sliding into the tackle forcing her wide, Fullicks keeping possession to cross can only find the side netting. Sam’s XI press the advantage winning a corner, the ball in towards the far post claimed confidently by the keeper. Another corner finding it’s way to though to Fullicks inside the area looks to dig the ball out of her feet between the Harding and Davies get the ball clear. The ball won back in midfield threaded through to Applegate left of the D 20 yards out strikes a swerving shot in on target, Cooper saves.

 A strong end to the 1st half for Sam’s XI have their opponents on the back foot, Applegate continuing to look for an opening. Joeli Kirby with a driving run into the box her ball forwards charged down. Kat Clocherty battling for the ball central for the S-Tech XI almost releases her attackers late on Sam’s XI new keeper gathering the ball.  

Half-time Sam’s XI 2-2 S-Tech XI

  Honours even at half-time all square Sam’s XI coming back to level thing’s up twice, the game wide open with another 45 minutes to play. Still drawing after that and it goes to penalties. Half-time entertainment underway, a fantastic crowd in attendance over 500 people great to see and a great atmosphere. Emma Place on for Nat Wells at the start of the 2nd period for Sam’s XI who restart the match, S-Tech quickly pressing the ball getting away on the right a throw won deep, the ball helped on into the area cleared, Sam’s XI breaking left side the ball lifted on Kemp getting a shot away to beat the advancing keeper but play brought back with an up raised flag.

  Jo Woods defending outside the area for Sam’s XI as Clocherty looks to play in Amanda Binge. Possession won back in midfield by the S-Tech XI forwards to Binge wins her side a corner. Harding offering herself for a short corner on the left the ball crossed in ventral top of the box Clocherty getting a shot away the ball running wide. Fullicks lining up a strike from distance wide left she’d the ball fall wide of the near post. Eleanor McLeish making a good run across her opponents defence left to right as the ball is played over the top controls well to unleash a shot back across goal from 25 yards out the strike rolling wide of the far post. 

  Good work between Kirby and Seema Grewal combining right side for Sam’s Xi sees Kemp away to attack centrally, challenged the ball out for a throw. The trio with more good work passing the ball between them to make ground up the pitch succeed in finding Fullicks on the clear wide left. Fullicks driving infield strong on the ball taking it into the box the angle tight her shot blocked, the ball lose at the near post Applegate latching onto it sees another block coming in deflected out of the box a distance shot falling behind the goal.

  A free-kick wide right for Sam’s XI, Applegate over it a good delivery into the area headed clear, Kirstie Smith latching onto it 20 yards out her shot rising over the crossbar. Pressure from Sam’s XI a strong start to the 2nd half. Play stopped though with a player down, Applegate unable to continue after lengthy treatment, good to see her back in action her game ending. S-Tech XI changing their goalkeeper with El Morgan coming on. Soon after play resumes Kirby with a strong dribbling run into the opposition area tackled before she can get a shot away.

  The 2nd change en masse now as the game enters the final half hour. Is an entertaining contest a large pitch both sides looking to get in behind, the crowd enjoying the occasion. Jess Farchica bringing the ball on from the back for the S-Tech XI, has ICA Sports team mate Carmen Herridge ahead of her she rolls it on for Melissa Collins the ball taken wide into the corner a great cross flashes in across the six yard box dangerous but no one can get a touch to turn it towards goal. Leah Harper taking the ball forwards central S-Tech regaining some momentum, rolled into Collins, tackled top of the box. 

  Kayla Dortch in to win the ball in midfield passes forwards for McLeish aiming to get away left, the keeper out to the corner of her area able to claim safely. The game moving into the final quarter hour. More changes for Sam’s XI, Stubbings back on the field. Herridge linking up with Kat Silver on the left a throw won taken quickly Herridge looking to carry the ball inside makes for the box Molloy in to challenge win the tackle for Sam’s XI. Harper getting in behind on the left into the area closed down lays it back to Herridge, Georgia Astley Tyler getting back on her to challenge has a free-kick given against her. 

  Grewal doing the defensive work as Harper races away with the ball on the left. Issacson coming on for the final minutes of the game in attack. Harper lively for the S-Tech XI winning a late corner, fired in low into a crowded six yard box at the near post a shot blasted goalwards, Grewal defending the post blocking on the line, another scramble for the ball mayhem before the keeper can get down to smother the ball. Molloy clearing a Jasmine Luckett sees a shot charged down, the S-Tech side pushing for a late winner, Dortch with a strike from distance save in the keepers gloves. The final whistle blows the game going to penalties.

Full time Sam’s XI 2-2 S-Tech XI

 Penalties

  S-Tech to get the shootout underway the ball struck low and accurate into the bottom left corner 1-0.

  Michelle McCormack up first for Sam’s XI, opens her body to sends a pacy low drive wide of the keeper 1-1.

  S-Tech’s 2nd penalty struck high evading the diving keeper to nestle into the back of the net 2-1.

  Sam’s XI, 2nd penalty touched onto the post by the keeper diving at full stretch advantage S-Tech 2-1.

  The advantage gone straight away S-Tech’s next penalty hit central not having the height or power to beat the keeper 2-1.

 A chance for Sam’s XI to level things up Issacson to take their 3rd penalty struck well low into the bottom corner 2-2.

  McLeish up to take S-Tech’s 4th penalty hit well to the keepers right to make it 3-2.

   Luddy to take the 4th penalty for Sam’s XI confident to make it 3-3.

  Farchica strikes her penalty low to the left of the keeper, guessing right is down to save at full stretch 3-3.

  A chance to win it for Sam’s Xi the 5th penalty hit high the goalkeeper diving to push the ball away to send the shootout to sudden death 3-3.

  Beth Goodman to take S-Tech’s sixth penalty however she has to make a dash to the dug out to grab her boots, new tactics as she ties her laces before the spot, does the trick as she blasts the ball home! 4-3 (may well be the new routine should Ketton Ladies face any penalty shootouts during the season).

   Joeli Kirby up to take Sam’s XI has to score, agony as the keeper saves high to see the S-Tech XI win the 2019 Kick Cancer Cup.

  A penalty shootout win for the S-Tech XI to win back the Kick Cancer Cup, truth though everyone’s a winner out there playing the game for a great cause regardless of the result. 

  A hugely enjoyable night, fantastic football despite all the changes everyone enjoying themselves a crowd of over 500 in attendance and I’m sure lots raised for charity. Congratulations to everyone playing, officiating and organising the event. Grateful to write a report, hopefully everyone is where I thought they were. Thanks to Stacey Fullicks and Liz Pamplin for getting those all important numbers and too Gary Reed for letting me use his pictures for the report.