SPREYTON 5 - NEWTON POPPLEFORD SECONDS 3

SPREYTON FC started this game on Saturday, October 7 with a spring in their step and chances were being created every few minutes.

Within the first five minutes the ball broke free to Matt Baker who lifted it over the Newton Poppleford ‘keeper from 20 yards out.

After the first goal everyone could feel we weren’t done here yet and the ball broke free again and Jez Stephens crossed the ball in to open Kieran Statton’s scoring for the afternoon with a lovely header from 12 yards out.

Spreyton continued this high pressure throughout the first half but couldn’t seem to capitalise on vital chances and went into the break 2-0 up.

The second half continued as the first with high intense pressure from the Spreys and this paid off shortly after with a through ball being played to Matt Baker who slipped it past the ‘keeper. Around the 60th minute a shot being saved from Matt Baker who was followed up by Kieran Statton to make it his second of the afternoon.

On came Charlie Caddy around the 70th minute who made an instant impact with a lovely spread ball from Liam Ward to Matt Baker who then shifted the ball across the box to let Charlie Caddy finish.

We thought that was our fifth but it was called offside even though Charlie was behind play. Never the less Spreyton didn’t let that bother them with 15 minutes to go Kieran Statton completed a well-deserved hat-trick and Man of the Match performance with another follow up from a shot and slipped the ball past the ‘keeper!

With 10 minutes to go Newton Poppleford found their feet and scored which should have been a consolation goal.

However, a mistake down the right-hand side was capitalised on by Newton Poppleford scoring two goals in five minutes. Unfortunately in the process of Newton Popplesford’s second goal Spreyton’s captain took a knock and out of substitutions Spreys went down to 10 men again.

Poppleford taking all their chances struck again with five minutes to play leaving the score at 5–3 which is how it stayed until full-time.

All-in-all Spreyton’s attitude in this game was much improved and showed in our play massively. We march on and continue improving! Cranbrook on Saturday, October 14, at home in the Devon Intermediate Cup Round Two.

Matt Baker