Devon and Exeter division seven

Chagford Reserves 9

Cheriton Fitzpaine Reserves 0

FOR the opening exchanges, Chagford may count themselves lucky not to have gone behind though both sides spurned early chances.

Eventually a bolstered home team settled to take a 3-0 lead through Josh Stanbury, Rob Thorn and player-manager David Jordan. By the end of the half, Chagford were playing some neat, attractive football, with each member putting in a tremendous effort.

The second half saw the hosts relaxed and totally dominating a Cherries side that had no substitutes to turn to, if only to relieve flagging energies.

Jamie Mallett for Chagford capped a superb performance as centre-back by chipping Cherries' Hargreaves with a 55 yard free-kick, just five minutes into the half. Jim Wilsher reacted quickest to his saved penalty kick to knock in the rebound soon after for the fifth goal.

Jai Minett came on and made an immediate impact, his corner met by Robbie Miller with a tremendous header. It was Minett who collected a poor clearance, on the hour, to walk the ball past Hargreaves.

Substitute Liam Alford came on to grab the eighth and Jordan put away the closing goal of a scintillating afternoon. Davis thought he had notched a tenth only to see it wiped out for offside.

Cheriton Fitzpaine must be applauded for a spirited effort throughout, on a day Chagford notched a much needed win.

With a visit to South Zeal and two home matches against other higher opponents, Chagford still need points to save their division seven status.