April may only be a fortnight old, but during that period there have been some drama and very mixed emotions within the women’s team of Budleigh Salterton F.C.
On Friday, April 5, they narrowly lost the Devon County F.A. Graddon Vending Women Senior Cup final to Fremington.
They even had to change keepers twice before kick-off, including Tahla Williams who suffered a broken wrist during the warm-up.
The Robinettes recovered well by April 7 to record a fine Devon Women League Premier Division 4-0 victory at Teignmouth, with goals from Kelsey Salter, Jodie Millett, and Lucy Burch.
Sadly on April 11, disaster struck in the eighth minute of the home league fixture against Westexe Park Rangers.
The referee had no other choice than to abandon the match following a serious leg and ankle injury to Budleigh’s player manager Lucy Burch.
She was treated on the pitch by the Devon Air Ambulance, who responded quickly to the call, and later taken to hospital by land ambulance.
Ms Burch was then operated on, with possibly another operation to follow.
Our thoughts are with her for a successful and complete recovery.
Budleigh Salterton Football Club women’s team busy April schedules continued with the April 5 Devon Women’s Football League Premier Division fixture at home to Fremington, the fourth time these two sides have met this season.
The referee and the two sides contributed to this latest encounter being a competitive and very sporting affair.
Both teams began probing for a way to break through their opponents’ defence, until Budleigh took the lead on 28 minutes through Kelsey Salter, whilst Jodie Millett struck the post, but the Robinettes went in at the break leading 1-0.
The second period began with the visitors pressing, and it was Budleigh’s turn to be thankful for the woodwork being their saviour.
Surprisingly it remained 1-0 until the final 10 minutes, when Fremington were stung twice.
Kirstie Brown jinked her way in the penalty area before accurately placing her shot out of the keeper’s reach to make it 2-0.
Within a couple minutes Maisie Brown lobbed home for 3-0, completing a triumphant afternoon for the Robinettes.
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