CREDITON COURIER

THE Exeter and District Youth Football League celebrated its end of season Cup finals last weekend.

Tedburn Panthers Under 15's claimed their place in the Plate Final back in March with a comprehensive semi-final win against Pinhoe Pikes.

They were rewarded with a day out in the sunshine to play at Exeter City's St James' Park ground on Saturday, May 9 against league rivals, Twyford Spartans.

After Tedburn failed to capitilise on dominating the early exchanges it was Twyford who took the lead with a powerful header from the edge of the six yard box mid-way through the first half. 

Both teams continued to press and carve out further chances but solid defence and good saves from both goalkeepers left Twyford going in a goal to the good at half-time.

Two evenly balanced sides cancelled each other out for the first part of the second half with Twyford more competitive across the midfield but Tedburn offered an outlet on the flanks and thought they had equalised when Toby Tapp hit the side netting.

The game was turned however with 10 minutes to go by a tactical switch from 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation.

This bolstered the midfield allowing Jake Thomas to get to the bye-line to cross to captain, Tom Williams. He found striker Archie Osborne in space who drove home a sweet right-footed half volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Galvanised by the equaliser, Tedburn pushed for the winner, with Tom Mills skimming the bar with a long-range free kick and with four minutes to go Twyford failed to clear a cross and Archie Osborne calmly slotted a left-footed shot into corner to take a 2-1 lead.

Tedburn Panthers however, failed to put the game safe and credit to Twyford who continued to press with an aerial threat that Tedburn found difficult to manage all game.

After several final minutes of desperate defending from set-pieces and some great saves at the death from the Tedburn 'keeper, Adam Stanbury, the final whistle blew allowing Tedburn to celebrate their first-ever cup success.

Tedburn Panthers coach, Nigel Osborne, said: "Congratulations to a squad of 18 boys and a big thank-you to all the friends, family and the local community for showing us the team such great support.

"Thank-you also to the Courier for considering this story for publication as it will be much appreciated by the team, most of whom attend Queen Elizabeth's upper school in Crediton."