Buck scores decisive penalty in Rangers' marathon cup triumph

CULLOMPTON Rangers held their nerve to win a penalty shootout against Chesham United in the first round of the Ambassador League Cup on Sunday.

The tie finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 following extra time as nothing could separate the two South West Combination League sides.

After Lola Sanchez, Ellis Hillman, Carmen Thornton and Abby Yukon scored from the spot, Chesham finally cracked and missed their fifth penalty.

But Catherine Wright squandered a chance to decide the tie when her penalty hit the crossbar.

Maxine Coupe then pulled off a smart save to deny Chesham, allowing Karen Buck to settle the tie.

Rangers manager Phill Tuckett said: "We have been struggling with consistency this season and it was important that the girls got themselves back on track again.

"We knew it wasn't going to be easy against a good Chesham side, but we matched them all the way.

"We could have won the game in normal time, but it was a case of missed chances.

"That said, the girls worked extremely hard and deserved to go through."

Sanchez came close to putting Rangers in front when she hit the bar, while Hillman was just off target twice and Emma Redwood had a shot cleared off the line.

Chesham broke at the start of the second half to take the lead, before Jess Hooper set up Hillman for the equaliser. Hillman then gave Rangers an extra time lead after capitalising on a defensive mix-up.

But the visitors hit back in the last minute of extra time to ensure the tie would be decided by penalty kicks.

Tuckett added: "It was a cracking cup tie. The pressure was off and the neutrals would have really enjoyed it."

In the Westward Developments Devon Women's League, Exeter & Tedburn Rangers moved to second in the Premier Division table courtesy of a 3-1 win over Bideford.

Amber Corcutt netted a free-kick before Lynsey Darwood doubled their lead with a fine solo effort. She intercepted the ball on half-way and beat three defenders before chipping the keeper.

Bideford pulled a goal back, but Sally Dye sealed the win when she scrambled home a corner.

Rangers defender Tina Lynch said: "Everyone gave 110 per cent and we played them off the park.

"We were 1-0 up at half-time but it should have been four. We thoroughly deserved the win and it was a strong team effort."

Exmouth Town are still looking for their first win after they crashed to a 4-2 defeat at home to Alphington.

Laura Burwood claimed a brace and Gemma Aspinall and Carrie Abbott were on target for the visitors. Amy Vinnacombe and Leanne Hunt scored for Exmouth.

In Division One, Axminster Town slipped to a 7-0 defeat by league leaders Totnes & Dartington Reserves.

Goals from Rachel Dart and Leah Wells sent Phoenix Club to a 2-1 win over Okehampton Argyle. Kelly Cooper scored for the visitors.

Feniton slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Plainmoor — Emily Horman was on target for the beaten side.