SILVERTON 1 - SPREYTON 8

SPREYTON kept up the momentum mauling two teams in one week after the disappointing draw against Willand Eleven on April 20.

Conditions were very windy and wet at times in this game played on Saturday, April 27 but Spreyton pressed hard with some very good football being played.

The first kick of the game following the kick-off was taken and the ball was pumped downfield for Quinton Smith to latch onto and get a shot away which was parried by the ‘keeper, the returning Owen Gregory pounced and finished getting the Spreys off to a flying start with less than half-a-minute being played, 0-1.

Twenty minutes in and ‘keeper Jordan Rowe unleashed a ball over the top for No 9 Chris Down to chip over the advancing ‘keeper with superb precision, 0-2.

With 31 minutes gone, Chris Down played in Quinny the wing, Quinn drilled the ball across the box for Owen to finish under pressure from the ‘keeper and a defender getting his second goal of the game, 0-3.

Going into half-time it was clear Spreyton were on top form barely giving the opposition a sniff at goal.

With 55 minutes gone, Chris Down took a quick throw on the edge of the area spotting Liam Ward making a great run to beat his man and unleash a strike that nutmegged the ‘keeper, 0-4.

With 66 minutes now gone, Wardy spotted Adam Lawson making a run towards goal and played another great through ball for Lawson to take a touch and fire a shot past the ‘keeper, 0-5.

Four minutes later Steve Kinsey was bearing down on goal finding himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper and very unselfishly squared a ball to Tarik Burak to score his first goal in only his second appearance since resigning for the men in red, 0-6.

Another couple of minutes later a Koehan King free kick picked out Lawson who let off a shot with his weaker foot which hit the post and went out for a goal kick.

On 80 minutes Chris Down fed a ball to Tarik who was about to unleash a shot but was fouled and won a penalty, Down stepped up as usual and cool as a cucumber scored his second of the game hitting it hard and low to the bottom corner, 0-7.

The game was approaching the 90-minute mark when the ‘keeper took a goal kick which hit Liam Ward only a few yards away.

The ball fell to Tarik who took the ball to the goal-line and looked as if he was going to let the approaching Wardy put the ball in the net before poking it over the line at the last second teasing his team mate…0-8.

A telling off from captain Will Hawking and the gaffer as both men demanded that the lads showed some respect to the opposition and stay classy even though the Spreys were bossing the game.

It was justified two minutes into extra time as Silverton won a free kick on the edge of the area and got themselves a goal, the Spreys clearly lacking a bit of concentration to see out the match with what should have been a clean sheet, 1-8.

Full-time and although the silly late goal conceded the manager was very happy with his team’s performance and the lads all showed some good camaraderie between themselves knowing they had showed up to do a job - a job well done at that.

Man Of The Match for Spreyton was captain Will Hawking who would have had an insane heat map covering every inch of the park. Breaking up play and starting attacks the man looked possessed.

Playing alongside Ko King the pair of them showed great awareness and a real understanding of each other barely giving the opposition a real chance all game. Either player could have taken the award with Will just edging it.

Not to take anything away from Silverton’s gaffer, Lucy Jones, and her side who were missing a lot of big names but it was a real performance for the Spreys who look to finish the season strong with the slim chance of still winning the league.

Kentisbeare, who lead, and Spreyton are both the only two teams in all the Devon and Exeter Leagues to so far remain unbeaten in league games this season so hats off to whoever wins the league which has been a real nail-biting affair!

Tim Cockman