Devon and Exeter three

Chagford 1

Hemyock 2

SWIRLING wind, rain showers and two teams that had not played for weeks combined to present a non-spectacle of a match, for football hungry supporters.

Chagford appeared to settle quicker and produce the better play for some 20 minutes, so it was a surprise when Hemyock took the lead.

Deputy 'keeper Paul Penberthy had already made a couple of fine saves before he was left disgruntled at his defence's lack of marking that left McKeon the simplest of chances, from a well placed corner.

For a time the hosts looked shaky but fought back to create chances, notably for Miller, Stone and Stanbury. These were sent high, wide or saved comfortably. It was the hard working Jai Minett who eventually found the equaliser with a 20 yard strike through a crowded penalty and into the bottom corner of the net, on the stroke of half-time.

The second half saw Chagford facing the wind and they struggled to get the better of the elements. When they played the ball on the floor, they created chances but were denied by some last ditch defending. Miller did scramble the ball home on the hour but celebrations were cut short as the referee had halted play because of head injury to a Hemyock player. The whistle had eventually been blown after a prolonged passage of play and just as Miller met the ball four yards out. The incident shook Chagford somewhat and they allowed their visitors back into the match, Penberthy again keeping them out.

With ten minutes left Chagford backed off Smith, allowing him to carry the ball into the penalty area to set up the easiest of chances for Kingdom to poach the winner.

The two reversed roles a minute later and only Penberthy's race from his line denied Hemyock a third goal.