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County Cup Win

- 19/10/2008

City's Ladies put the setbacks of recent weeks behind them in the County Cup by completely dominating their tie at Allington. Even without last season's top scorer Debbie Burgess, they could have won by twice as many goals.

There were a number of bonuses in a performance that, while never lacking in spirit, was not bursting with the sort of flowing football that was almost commonplace last season. The younger members of the side, especially Kirsty Dowle, played a big part in the victory but it was the experienced Debbie Blackmore, the reliable Natalie Bowen, defiant Jenny Collins and Wendy Smith and outstanding Avril Spary who provided the basis of victory.

The attack was led by Santos who took City ahead after Spary set up a strong move. But City were still only ahead by that goal at half-time, having not made the best of their chances and also seeing a loud penalty appeal turned down and the ball over the Castle Colts goalline.

The second half was much different. Bowen nudged in a second goal in a crowded goalmouth. Spary then hit in a good low shot when the Castle Colts players stood appealing for offside . The home side did manage to pull a goal back with probably the strike of the game, Katie Whitmore scoring with a tremendous long shot.

Blackmore's tireless work was usually done in the background but she moved forward to finish off a fine City move to score City's fourth goal and it was her shrewd pass across the penalty area that allowed Spary to put in the fifth. By then City were strolling and playing like a team.

Not to play to your potential and still score five can't be bad!

CITY: Hardy; Collins, Smith, Dowle, Baker, Bowen, Blackmore, Spary, Emekwue, Santos, Bailey.