A TOUGH Cup challenge game for Spreyton on Saturday, September 30, but it showed great grit and determination to be in the next round of the Geary Cup!

The first half was challenging for the Sprey’s with our captain and other key players out injured or away. It was a chance for the lads to prove a point to Mark Baitup that they should be in the starting squad.

Spreyton started well with two or three opportunities all coming within 20 minutes forcing Kentisbeare’s ‘keeper to make key saves. However the ball was pinged upfield by stand-in ‘keeper Jake Herbert (whose kicking was superb all game) up to Liam Ward who flicked on to Brad Lovatt who bundled the ball home with 20 minutes of the first half to play.

Kentisbeare found their feet and started pushing us back and with many chances coming through their No 10 and captain. However the Sprey’s stood firm and kept the ball out of the net going in at half-time 1-0.

The first 10 minutes of the second half first was a mixture of possession and whoever got the first goal would take the game by the hands.

Having said that the ball broke free and Liam Ward found himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper who finished delightfully into the bottom hand corner to go 2-0 up.

Ten minutes after the goal it got even tougher for the Sprey’s when we had a man sent off.

Spreyton regrouped and knew we had to dig deep to get the result we deserved. On 70 minutes the ball was spread wide to Matt Baker who got the ball down to Kieran Statton who turned the defender and got his shot off sending the ‘keeper the wrong way and making us go 3-0 up with 20 minutes to play.

After the third goal Kentisbeare started to come more and more into Spreyton’s half and with 10 minutes to go they got their just rewards, capitalising on a defensive error.

All-in-all it was a tough game for the Sprey’s but showed great character battling with so much time left in the game and keeping hold of the victory.

Award for Man of the Match went to Brad Lovatt.

Matt Baker