SATURDAY, June 5 was a great day for Lapford First team in the Premier Division play-off against Lyme Regis at Topsham with a 1-0 win, making them Champions of The Devon and Exeter League for 2020/21.

Lapford lined up with Matt in goal, back three were Ryan, Dan and Alex.

In Midfield were Dom, Tom, Josh, Ben and Gav, and leading the line, Mark and Chris. Subs were Roger, Max, Harry and Alex S.

The match started with an even first half with no goals, but then came the winning goal in the 74th minute.

Lyme Regis had a chance to get a goal, but Lapford upped their game looking for a second goal, not playing defensive by attack, attack knocking the stuffing out of Lyme Regis or, put another way, wilting in the good weather.

Lapford made the Sunday Independent on Sunday, June 6 with a piece by Colin Goodwin.

So this Premier Crown for Lapford was the 40th team to capture the crown which was started 100 years ago.

Lapford’s record for the season reads: P16-W14-D1-L1-GD+50 - goals for 65 - goals against 15.

Very good lads, onwards and upwards for next season.

The goal scorer was the captain, Mark Tucker.

Ben Tucker picked up the Premier West Plaque and Man of the Match went to Josh Phillips. And I must say it was well-deserved, he was also Man of the Match for this season and received the “Stags” Perpetual trophy given to me by a well-known supporter for that sole purpose.

Many thanks to all our supporters who attended the match. I would think it was the biggest crowd since the Devon Senior Cup final at Coach Road, Newton Abbot in 2016.

I hope you all had a good time after the match - it seemed so when I phoned the Malt Scoop on Sunday!

Gerald Leach