WINKLEIGH FC went into the final friendly v Hatherleigh on Saturday, September 12, with all but their full squad, which is a first this season.

It was Winkleigh that quickly took hold of the game.

Winkleigh, playing their preferred 4-3-3 soon carved open Hatherleigh when a chance fell to the young 16 year-old “Freddie Finch”, who had no problem in slotting past the ‘keeper, cutting in from the left wing.

Winkleigh carried on its dominance but it was Hatherleigh that levelled when a ricochet of clearances fell to the Hatherleigh man at the back post who finished coolly.

Winkleigh never dropped their head and it was emphatic from then on in the first half. Freddie Finch scoring a first half hat-trick, a ‘keeper mistake giving Winkleigh’s striker Ash Bennett a tap in and rounding of the first half scoring and goal of the day Rob Scott who beat his man cut in on his favoured left and curled it in the far top corner from 30 yards out to put Winkleigh firmly in the driving seat.

The second half began and Hatherleigh came out a lot more organised and structured as Winkleigh dominated possession.

Changes were made on both sides and it was Winkleigh that made it six when midfielder Tom Robinson broke through the middle before slotting it out wide, for Rob Scott to swing a driven cross for Kerian Mcginley to tap in to finish off the scoring.

Hatherleigh battled and tried to create some joy on the break but Winkleigh, who look solid overall at the back, stood firm.

Winkleigh will take great confidence going into the season after showcasing what they can do where they travel to Heavitree in their league opener.

Tom Robinson