19TH DECEMBER 2004

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE FIVE-A-SIDE - CIRENCESTER ARENA

Teams from Cam Bulldogs made only a moderate impact in the annual Gloucestershire County League Five-a-Side Tournament at the Cirencester Arena last Sunday, writes Keith Watson. With 19 teams playing for the title, competition was always going to be fierce and so it proved as both Cam sides fell at the group stage.

The Bulldogs A squad were drawn in Group B and got off to an excellentstart. Annie Davies hit a hat-trick to help her side to a 5-1 win over Cheltenham Town Reserves A, with Michelle Purse and Jenna Wood also on the scoresheet. However, their form took a downturn in the next two matches. Another Davies goal was not enough to prevent a 3-1 defeat to Gloucester City Reserves B, while Stoke Lane A handed Alistair Swan's side a 2-1 defeat in which Lucy Bennett hit the consolation. By the final game Cam A had been eliminated, but they finished on a high with a 3-1 win over already qualified Downend Flyers B with goals from Purse, Bennett and Wood. Stoke Lane joined Downend as the Group B qualifiers.

Cam A: L Elliott, L Bennett, J Wood, M Purse, A Davies, L Carter.

In Group D Cam B were also knocked out despite losing just once in their four matches. A solitary Katie Everett goal was enough to see off Cheltenham Town Reserves B, but their next two games ended all square. Everett put her side 2-0 up against Gloucester City Reserves A before the Tigers pulled back to 2-2, while a Bev Tanner goal had Stoke Lane B trailing only for the game to end 1-1. However, needing to win their final game against Downend Flyers A to go through, Lorne Ball's side lost 3-0, although Tanner had a goal disallowed for encroaching into the area when the game was goalless. Downend and Gloucester progressed to the next stage, while Oldland Abbotonians B and Yate Town progressed from Group C.

Cam B: L Walker, K Swan, B Tanner, S Griffin, R Millard, K Everett.

Oldland B, who went on to beat Yate in the final 5-4 on penalties after a goalless
draw.

27TH MARCH 2005

GOONHAVERN 4 - 5 CAM BULLDOG LADIES (TOUR MATCH)

Bogey side Goonhavern were given a second half whipping as Cam Ladies came from behind to win the only game of their three-day tour to Newquay, writes Keith Watson. The Bulldogs recovered from dreadful hangovers, a 7am alarm call from some rowdy Welsh rugby players singing Bread of Heaven and, most importantly, 4-2 down to win a thrilling game 5-4. Despite making a positive start the tourists fell behind after 15 minutes when a teasing ball across the six-yard box was tapped in at the far post. Cam equalised five minutes later though, as a loose ball fell to Michelle Purse who proved her doubters wrong by hitting an open goal from a couple of yards out.

But shortly afterwards the home side were gifted their lead back again when Bulldogs goalkeeper Lina Elliott caught a big handful of fresh air instead of the ball, which allowed a right-wing cross to float straight in. Goonhavern then went 3-1 up with a close range tap-in after Elliott took an air shot at Michelle Stokes' backpass, although she could well have been distracted by the sight of two of the male tourists in kilts. Cam pulled a goal back just before the break when Lucy Bennett struck a terrific free-kick over the wall from 25 yards. However, the Bulldogs made the worst possible start to the second half, sloppily allowing Goonhavern to take a 4-2 lead with their first attack. Nevertheless, the tourists always looked capable of getting back into the match.

The home defence was waiting to be unlocked but not for the first time during the weekend Cam could not find the key. But with 20 minutes to go the Bulldogs suddenly clicked and started playing some of their best football of the season. Stokes sent a screaming 25-yard drive only just wide before Purse did reduce the deficit to one after latching onto an excellent through ball. Cam were flooding through the Goonharven ranks like water from the radiator above the hotel reception and earned a penalty with ten minutes left. Katie Everett confidently put the spot-kick wide of the sprawling goalkeeper to draw her side level. The comeback was completed five minutes from time when the home side failed to clear a Purse corner and Bennett got the final touch of the ensuing scramble to win the game for the Bulldogs.

15TH MAY 2005

DURSLEY SIX-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT

Cam Bulldog Ladies rounded off the 2004-05 season by finishing runners-up in the Dursley Six-a-Side tournament. The Bulldogs improved hugely as the competition progressed, conceding just one goal in five games on their way to the final, before going down by a goal to nil to a side from Gloucester City Reserves. The overall performance of the team was excellent, while coaches Lorne Ball and Keith Watson did a good tactical job in the absence of manager Alistair Swan. Eight teams lined up for the tournament, split into two pools of four, with all eight then progressing to the knockout stages of the competition. Group matches lasted five minutes each way, rising to six minutes each way in the knockout rounds. Cam were drawn in Group A against Gloucester City Reserves A, Stoke Lane A and Yate Town A, while Group B comprised of Dursley Town, Gloucester City Reserves B, Stoke Lane B and Yate Town B. The Bulldogs started their campaign slowly but made tremendous progress asthe day unfolded.

Game 1 - Group match: Cam Bulldogs 0 - 1 Stoke Lane A

The youngsters of Stoke Lane have had something of the Indian sign over Camthis season and this was no exception. The Bulldogs did not retain possession well and were often under pressure, which culminated in a goal for Stoke Lane early in the second half.
Cam: Lina Elliott, Kirsty Swan, Bev Tanner, Jenna Wood (Michelle Stokes ht),
Lucy Bennett, Katie Everett (Annie Davies ht).

Game 2 - Group match: Cam Bulldogs 0 - 0 Gloucester City Res A

Cam picked up their first points of the tournament by holding Gloucester A to a goalless draw. Tanner was outstanding at the back for the Bulldogs, while Bennett began to look dangerous in possession. Only a lack of composure in the final third prevented Cam from finding a winner.
Cam: Elliott, Stokes (Swan 4), Tanner, Wood, Bennett, Davies (Everett ht).

Game 3 - Group match: Cam Bulldogs 1 - 0 Yate Town A

Everything finally clicked as the Bulldogs dominated from start to finish. Goalkeeper Elliott and defender Tanner were virtually unemployed as Cam played some terrific possession football. Bennett grabbed the all important goal midway through the second half with a great shot on the run after a superb interchange of passes with Davies.
Cam: Elliott, Swan (Wood 7), Tanner, Stokes, Bennett, Everett (Davies ht).
Goals: Bennett (8).

Stoke Lane A topped the group with Cam in second, Gloucester A third and
Yate A in fourth.
In Group B, Gloucester B led the way followed by Yate B, with Dursley in
third place and Stoke Lane B at the bottom.
The Bulldogs were drawn against Stoke Lane B in the quarter-finals.

Game 4 - Quarter-Final: Cam Bulldogs 2 - 0 Stoke Lane B

Once again Cam dominated the game to the extent that Elliott did not have ashot to save, while Tanner barely broke sweat. Everett gave the Bulldogs the lead shortly before the break before Bennett made the game safe in the second half with a fine individual goal.
Cam: Elliott, Swan (Stokes ht), Tanner, Wood, Bennett, Everett (Davies ht).
Goals: Everett (5), Bennett (9).

In the other quarter-finals, Stoke Lane A saw off Dursley, while Gloucester
B and Yate A beat their respective clubmates.
Gloucester B then got the better of Stoke Lane A in the semi-finals, while
Cam took on Yate A for the second time in the tournament.

Game 5 - Semi-Final: Cam Bulldogs 1 - 0 Yate Town A

Yate gave a much better account of themselves than in the group stage but still came off second best. Bennett struck the post for the Bulldogs in the first half, while Wood hit a wonderful chance straight at the goalkeeper in the second period. However, just when the game looked set for extra-time Bennett broke away to slide in a late winner.
Cam: Elliott, Swan (Stokes ht), Tanner, Wood, Bennett, Everett (Davies ht).
Goals: Bennett (11).

The dramatic win meant that Cam took on Gloucester B in the final.

Game 6 - The Final: Cam Bulldogs 0 - 1 Gloucester City Res B

The Bulldogs put in a huge amount of effort but could not reach the heights achieved in their previous three games. Gloucester B had much the better of the first half and eventually broke the deadlock shortly after the break. Cam threw everything forwards in the search for an equaliser but found their luck to be out. A half chance just ran away from Everett, while Davies sliced wide and a late clearance from Tanner only just failed to bounce over the City goalkeeper.
Cam: Elliott, Swan (Everett 9), Tanner, Wood (Stokes ht), Bennett, Everett
(Davies ht).

So in the end Cam had to settle for the runners-up spot, although they were proud to collect their medals. Afterwards coach Watson offered this assessment: "What a great team performance. All eight girls were superb throughout the day. "Lina was safe as houses in goal; Katie and Annie shared the striking role superbly; Kirsty, Jenna and Michelle worked so hard for the team; Bev was a colossus at the back and Lucy really made the difference for us. "The team spirit was spot on - nobody complained about being left out or
getting substituted - it was brilliant, as was the backing from the supporters and the other girls who weren't playing today. "I'm really proud of everyone involved today."

26TH JUNE 2005

YATE TOWN SIX-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT

Cam Bulldogs Ladies performed superbly at the Yate Town Ladies Six-a-Side Tournament but ultimately lost the final in the cruellest fashion possible. For the second time this summer, the Bulldogs made the final of a sixes competition only to be defeated by an experienced Gloucester City side in the deciding match. However, unlike the Dursley Six-a-Side tournament where City won the final 1-0, Cam held firm to maintain their incredible record of not conceding a single goal in the entire competition. The final finished goalless after extra time and it required sudden death penalties to eventually decide the game in Gloucester's favour. Finishing as runners-up was no disgrace on the Bulldogs though, as they saw off several quality sides just to reach the final.

Eight teams - Cam, Gloucester, Downend Flyers, Oldland Abbotonians, Stoke Lane A, Stoke Lane B, Yate Town A and Yate Town B - entered the tournament with each side playing all of the others once and the top two contesting the final. Games were ten minutes long with three substitutes permitted on an unlimited rolling basis.

Game 1: Cam Bulldogs 0-0 Oldland Abbotonians

The Bulldogs made a cautious start against a team that beat them 7-0 in their last league encounter. Oldland definitely had the better of the match but chances were kept a minimum by fine defending at both ends. A draw was a fair result.
Cam: Lina Elliott, Kirsty Swan, Bev Tanner, Lucy Bennett, Katie Everett (Becky Millard 7), Michelle Purse. Unused sub: Sharon Griffin.

Game 2: Cam Bulldogs 1-0 Yate Town B

Cam dominated proceedings against a limited Yate side. Lucy Bennett sliced an early chance wide when she had more time, so it was left to Michelle Purse to score the only goal of the game with a well-taken left foot shot that beat the goalkeeper at the near post.
Cam: Elliott, Griffin, Tanner, Bennett, Millard (Everett 8), Purse. Unused sub: Swan.
Goal: Purse (7).

Game 3: Cam Bulldogs 1-0 Stoke Lane A

Once again the Bulldogs enjoyed the better of the game against the weaker of the two Stoke Lane outfits. Cam defenders Kirsty Swan and Bev Tanner kept the opposition forwards at bay, while Bennett and Purse linked up well in attack. The goal arrived shortly after the midway point when Bennett made an incisive run through the heart of the defence and calmly beat the goalkeeper.
Cam: Elliott, Swan, Tanner, Bennett, Everett (Griffin 7), Purse. Unused sub: Millard.
Goal: Bennett (6).

After three matches Oldland, Gloucester and Cam led the way with seven points apiece. Stoke Lane B had five points, Downend four and Stoke Lane A three. Both Yate sides were yet to get off the mark.

Game 4: Cam Bulldogs 1-0 Yate Town A

Yate belied their poor position in the mini-league to give the Bulldogs a tough test. However, with Sharon Griffin in terrific form at the back and goalkeeper Lina Elliott solid when called upon they never looked like conceding. Bennett again struck the vital goal, drilling a shot into the net via the goalkeeper's legs.
Cam: Elliott, Griffin, Tanner, Bennett, Millard, Purse. Unused subs: Swan, Everett.
Goal: Bennett (5).

Game 5: Cam Bulldogs 1-0 Stoke Lane B

Cam ground out a deserved victory against the better of the two Stoke Lane sides. The goal arrived just after the halfway stage when Bennett and Purse superbly exchanged passes before Bennett slammed in a sharp finish. Stoke Lane rallied in increasingly desperate fashion but their best effort was well blocked by Tanner's seemingly telescopic legs.
Cam: Elliott, Swan, Tanner, Bennett, Everett, Purse. Unused subs: Griffin, Millard.
Goal: Bennett (6).

Game 6: Cam Bulldogs 0-0 Gloucester City

With both sides in contention for a place in the final, a tight affair was always likely. Gloucester forced some early corners but were kept at bay by some resolute defending. The Bulldogs earned some corners of their own but ultimately neither side could make the breakthrough.
Cam: Elliott, Swan, Tanner, Bennett, Everett (Griffin 7), Purse. Unused sub: Millard.

With one game to go as many as five sides were still in with a chance of making the final. Cam led the way, needing just a draw against Downend to progress, although a win for the Flyers would see them go through at the expense of the Bulldogs. Gloucester would make the final with a win over rock bottom Yate B, although in the unlikely event of a slip up Oldland could progress with a win of their own. Stoke Lane B still had a mathematical chance if they could beat their clubmates and all other results went their way.

Game 7: Cam Bulldogs 0-0 Downend Flyers

Knowing that a draw was sufficient, Cam played cautiously and were put under severe pressure by Downend. Two terrific early chances were spurned by the Flyers before a late shot struck the outside of Elliott's left-hand post.
However, the Bulldogs rode their luck and made it through to the final.
Cam: Elliott, Swan, Tanner, Bennett, Griffin, Purse.
Unused subs: Everett, Millard.

Cam were joined in the final by Gloucester, who demolished bottom side Yate B 6-0. Oldland missed out despite remaining unbeaten.

Final table:

Gloucester City 15 (+9)
Cam Bulldogs 15 (+4)
--------------------------------
Oldland Abbotonians 13 (+5)
Downend Flyers 12 (+4)
Stoke Lane B 10 (+3)
Stoke Lane A 5 (-5)
Yate Town A 4 (-6)
Yate Town B 0 (-14)

Game 8: The Final: Cam Bulldogs 0-0 Gloucester City (Gloucester City won 2-1 on penalties)

With Gloucester having conceded just one goal on their march to the final and Cam none at all, the decider was always going to be a nail-biter. The Bulldogs' Lina Elliott was certainly the busier goalkeeper, making three vital saves, the first of which - a smothering block - was truly outstanding. City also had much the better of extra time, although Katie Everett sliced a late chance to steal it for Cam. The match went to penalties, with Everett and Gloucester goalkeeper Helen Wood making it 1-1 after one kick each. Bennett and Purse then both blasted at the goalkeeper for Cam, although each time Elliott responded with a save of her own.
However, when Tanner also fired straight at Wood, Gloucester did not spurn a third chance of glory.
Cam: Elliott, Swan, Tanner, Bennett, Everett (Griffin 10, Everett ET 13), Purse.
Unused sub: Millard. Penalties: Everett (GOAL), Bennett (SAVED), Purse (SAVED), Tanner (SAVED).

All in all, another excellent performance from everyone in a Bulldogs shirt.
Hopefully this form can be carried into the 11-a-side season.

Photographs: Many thanks to Neil Price for taking the photographs.

MICHELLE PURSE ATTACKING AGAINST YATE

BEV TANNER ON THE ATTACK FROM DEFENCE AGAINST STOKE LANE

THE TEAM AFTER COLLECTING THEIR TROPHIES

BACK ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): ALISTAIR SWAN (MANAGER), LUCY BENNETT, BEV TANNER, LORNE BALL (COACH), SHARON GRIFFIN, KEITH WATSON (COACH).

FRONT ROW: MICHELLE PURSE, KATIE EVERETT, LINA ELLIOTT, KIRSTY SWAN, BECKY MILLARD.

8TH JANUARY 2006

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE FIVE-A-SIDE - CIRENCESTER ARENA

Cam A - Annie Culley, Reanne Vines, Lisa Soloman, Lisa Matthews, Jenna Wood, Lauren Jackson and Katie Everett. Coach = Keith Watson.

Cam B - Michelle Purse, Michelle Stokes, Kirsty Swan, Sharon Griffin, Lina Elliott, Lucy Bennett, Becky Millard. Coach = Lorne Ball.

Cam Bulldog Ladies fulfilled their potential at the small-sided game and deservedly won the Gloucestershire County Women's League Five-a-side Tournament at the Cirencester Arena. After finishing runners up to Gloucester City in both the Dursley and Yate Summer Six-a-side competitions, Cam finally went one better on Sunday. The Bulldogs sent two teams to Cirencester, with the winning side being made up of the players who competed in the Bentham Five-a-side League ­ where they were up against all male teams - over the summer.

Cam qualified second from their group and then won a quarter-final and semi-final before beating Downend ­ the only team to beat them at the group stage - in the final. Winning captain Kirsty Swan said: "The whole team, including the girls who played in the other side here, are really chuffed about winning the first silverware of 2006. To only concede two goals throughout the seven games was also extremely pleasing and a measure of how much improved the girls are from our summer of playing five-a-side at Bentham."

The other Cam side, Cam Bulldogs A, had a less successful time in the ten-minute matches. With little five-a-side experience, Cam A failed to score a goal and came bottom of Group C. However, they were unlucky to lose to Ross Town Reserves B in their opening game with numerous shots from Katie Everett and Reanne Vines pinging straight into the goalkeeper's arms. Downend Flyers B goalkeeper Laura Cornford then produced an equally inspired display to frustrate the Bulldogs and Annie Culley in particular in a 2-0 defeat. Cam A also lost against Longlevens Greyhounds and Gloucester City Reserves A but were grateful for the excellent, if unconventional, goalkeeping of Lisa Solomon. Gloucester A and Longlevens progressed from Group C.
In Group B, Dursley Town also finished bottom but gave a decent account of
themselves overall.

Cam B began their Group A campaign with a 3-0 win over Ross Town Reserves A, Michelle Purse scoring twice and Lucy Bennett once. The Bulldogs then lost 1-0 to Downend A but bounced back against Blakeney with a 2-0 win, both goals coming from Purse. Just needing to draw their final group match to go through, Cam B thumped Gloucester B 3-0 with Purse once again hitting two and Bennett completing the scoring for her side. The Bulldogs then repeated the trick against Gloucester A in the quarter-finals, Purse this time bagging a hat-trick in another 3-0 win against a City side.

Elsewhere in the quarters, Yate A beat Bristol and West 2-0, while Downend A and Stoke Lane needed penalties to see off Longlevens and Oldland B respectively. Downend A then drew 0-0 with Yate A in the semi-finals before taking a 7-6 win on penalties. Cam B beat Stoke Lane 2-1 in their semi-final with a superbly struck double from Purse, although they were indebted to goalkeeper Lina Elliott for several fine saves. The final was a tense affair with Downend A seemingly happy to play for penalties. However, early in the second half, Bennett put her own rebound in after Downend goalkeeper Zoe Hodgson had stopped her first effort and Cam B won the final 1-0.

THE VICTORIOUS CAM 'B' SIDE

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

BACK ROW: LORNE BALL (COACH), MICHELLE STOKES, MICHELLE PURSE, KISRTY SWAN, SHARON GRIFFIN.

FRONT ROW: LUCY BENNETT, LINA ELLIOTT, BECKY MILLARD, CHLOE (MASCOT).