South Zeal Utd 2

Upottery 1

ZEAL recorded their first league win of the season at the recreation ground on Saturday during a fairly scrappy game influenced by a very bumpy playing surface and a strong wind that made defending very difficult at the changing room end of the pitch.

Despite defending the difficult end in the first half Zeal took the lead after ten minutes when Harley Cann was tripped in the penalty area and the aforementioned player then coolly beat the visitors' keeper from the spot.

The home side then weathered some dangerous moments before a soft penalty gave Upottery the equaliser, however as the home defence started to cope with the conditions so Darren Gilbert and Tom Reilly got more of the ball and caused problems for the visitors with Darrens pace often taking him beyond their defence but some good goal keeping kept out several good chances.

In the second half with the conditions in their favour Zeal had most of the play and 20 minutes from time another foul on Harley Cann produced the winner as he again beat the visiting keeper from the spot.

Zeal could have won more easily in the end as Redd Cann hit the post with a 25 yard free kick, and some good chances went narrowly wide as Zeal dominated the second half exchanges.

Next week home to Bickleigh, KO 3pm.