Devon and Exeter six

South Zeal United 9

Royal Oak 2

THE home side went on to an all out attack from the opening whistle, dominating the game in all areas. Harley Cann and Harry Smith formed the solid foundation in midfield for South’s Zeal’s and were key to their flowing football.

After 15 minutes a long pumped ball from left back Tom Boother was chased down by striker Adam Clark, who beat the keeper with a good, headed finish. Shortly after Harley Cann linked with Adam Clark; his neat ball through the defence was met by Ryan Dennis, who coolly finished to make it 2-0.

It was clear that the away side had already begun to lose heart, not helped when South Zeal’s Tom Boother, after a surging run, scored the third, passing the ball into the far corner with the outside of his boot.

After half time, Zeal played up the slope. Straight from the kick off Harry Smith sent a low ball upfield, and Darren Gilbert gratefully scored after being gifted the ball by the Royal Oak keeper.

Royal Oak came back with an incisive pass through Zeal’s otherwise solid defensive line of Lee Gilbert and Tom Reilly. The striker finishing well to give the slightest glimmer of hope. That hope was immediately vanquished as Harry Smith burst through the back line before unleashing a stunning effort into the right corner of the goal.

An own goal from an otherwise excellent Ollie Jefferies’ display handed Oak a second.

A solid debut for Jack Davey was marked with a great passing move that found Ryan Dennis; his perfectly weighted pass found Adam Clark, who ran clean through before rounding the keeping and firing into the net for 6-2.

Ryan Dennis scored his second as he was on hand to meet a beautiful whipped corner from Darren Gilbert at the back post. Minutes later Darren had his second when he powered down the right flank before rounding the goalkeeper and poking home for 8-2.

The final goal for Zeal came with the finest of finishes. Ryan Dennis’ corner made its way to the opposite flank before being whipped back in by Harry Smith.