KS Cougars 0

Teign 4

Following their recent training weekend in Taunton, the Cougars were looking to work some of their new skills into this match. A solid defensive setup was created, with KS tracking their markers closely at the back, Rachel Roberts and Fi Wadey marking tight on the high players.

A high work rate through the ­midfield and some great aerials from Lou Read allowed KS to overcome the Teign press as Emily Read kept her marker touch close to track her around the pitch.

Early Teign attacks brought two fine saves from ’keeper Claire Jones as she dealt with rising shots comfortably. Lucy Croft delivered across the formation with Bex Darke, as both players dug in to hold the Teign attacks at bay.

With the Cougars delivering a mixed performance in the first 35 minutes, there were some promising signs starting to show in their structure, although these were balanced by a lack of connections around the pitch as the hotly ­contested first period broke for half time, with Teign leading by one goal.

Gemma Samuel, Sarah Budgen and Nat Elliott ran the wings, but struggled to find space on the attack as KS looked to access width behind the press. Chloe Harvey and Helen Symons tracked through the no man’s land between the Cougars’ defensive setup and forward line, but were all too often bypassed as Teign built multiple options around the ball carrier with simple, close passing options.

In contrast, the lack of passing finesse from KS saw a high rate of turnover, which cost them dear in lost possession in the second half, as Teign used a great workrate and quick ­movement around the lost ball to create overloads against the entrenched KS defence. With the Teign breaks ­outpacing the Cougars forwards’ ­jumping back, there was always an unmarked option around the D, which the visitors took full advantage of to create chances in front of goal, scoring three goals in quick succession during a 15-minute spell.

Despite strong pressure from Teign, the Cougars were still breaking and were unlucky not to pull one back when Laura Kerly rounded the ’keeper at pace, but failed to pull her reverse shot back onto goal from a tight angle.

Fern Tucker put in a blistering ­second-half performance, covering the full length of the line at right wing and jumping back strongly when needed.

The final whistle blew on a frustrating performance that saw a disjointed KS punished in the second half for a lack of quality on the pass, lost possession and slow reactions to counter the end-to-end play.

Post-match teas at the Church House Inn were praised by umpire Paddy Porter. Woman of the match went to Lou Read, who proved to be the ­rallying point for the struggling Cougars after the tough 15-minute spell midway through the second half. Gemma Harvey picked up most vocal player for her direction of defensive play from the sidelines.