CHERITON FITZPAINE 2 - SPREYTON 3

THE fixture on Saturday, January 26 was on the verge of being called off with Spreyton’s home pitch taking a hammering from the weather, but with some quick thinking the fixture was reversed to play at Cheriton’s pitch.

The game started off very tight with a few chances coming at either end of the pitch. It was obvious this was going to be a very tough game.

On 17 minutes the first goal of the game came with a delightful cross from Jamie Hatch meeting with Liam Ward’s head, the ball looped over the ‘keeper and found itself in the top corner.

With 30 minutes gone captain Will Hawking picked up a very soft yellow card. With the pitch starting to cut up and the rain coming down it was very hard going trying to time challenges and judge the bounce of the ball.

With yet more chances coming at either end the ref blew his whistle for half-time with the Sprey’s leading 1-0.

Five minutes into the second half saw Ty Fischer finding the back of the net for Cheriton to bring the game level at 1-1.

Shortly after, striker Chris Down picked up a yellow card clearly frustrated with the way the opposition were slowing the game down every way possible.

The game was looking very competitive with both teams desperate for points to keep title hopes alive with both sides coming into the fixture unbeaten. Cheriton looked happy for the draw but Spreyton clearly wanted all three points.

With 76 minutes gone Cam Pow beat the last man to square the ball to strike partner Chris Down who put the ball into the back of the net. The Sprey’s were back in front - 2-1.

Two minutes’ later young Owen Gregory played a defence splitting pass into the feet of Cam Pow who finished from a very tight angle, making it 3-1 to Spreyton.

Ben Angel was introduced to the game on 78 minutes after his travels to Australia.

Liam Ward was then sin binned and with the game getting a bit heated the ref made an example to show who was in charge of the game.

With 85 minutes now gone, Brad Lovatt came on to replace tired legs.

Cheriton were pumping the ball long at every opportunity desperate to try and get something from the game.

Three minutes into stoppage time and Cheriton got what they probably deserved with a goal bringing the score to 3-2.

After a couple of tense minutes the referee blew his whistle, the Sprey’s were clearly ecstatic to keep the winning streak going from a game that was very tough with good opposition and tough playing conditions.

Man of the match for Spreyton was captain Will Hawking who covered an immense amount of ground and did his best to keep everyone level-headed throughout the game.

A few words from the captain himself: “I’m delighted with the win today. We knew it was going to be a tough game coming to an undefeated Cheriton side.

“All credit to them they made us work hard for the victory. Our whole squad were bang on it today and I felt we deserved the victory!”