Devon

Woodbury 2

South Zeal United 8

SOUTH Zeal went into this away fixture with little knowledge of what to expect from the home side, who have only played a single match in the league thus far.

Zeal dominated the early exchanges of the match using the two wide men in Harry Smith and Ryan Dennis to get into dangerous positions, Ben Davey and Tom Boother regularly found their pacey runs. It was the home side who struck first, finding the net after a mix up at the back.

The visitors unfazed by this continued to control the game, Dan Wakeham playing the ball out from the heart of the defence comfortably into Redd Cann and Matt Dennis; Harry Smiths’ quick feet drew in the challenge from the Woodbury defence earning Zeal a free kick on the edge of the box. The ball was whipped in dangerously, finding its way to the back post for Matt Dennis to nod home the equaliser. Zeal always looked comfortable in possession but again a rare opportunity for the home team gifted them the lead as United did not clear their lines.

South Zeal continued to press and Adam Clark’s interception found its way into the path of Samuel Jones, who ran clear through on goal before coolly slotting the ball into the net to make it 2-2.

With half time approaching, superb passing football from Zeal saw Tom Reilly find Harry Smith on the wing; Smith cut the ball inside to Adam Clark who carried the ball to the Woodbury area, finally picking out the run of Ryan Dennis who calmly stroked the ball home as the away side led at the break 3-2.

The second half gave the away side more advantage as they played down the slope. Redd Cann linked well with Ben Davey, before finding the run of left back Tom Boother, who found space for a delicious long range effort which nestled in the net. Goalkeeper Lee Gilbert was forced to make a rare save in the second half. A wonderful strike from the Woodbury forward brought out a superb fingertip save from the Zeal captain. Zeal’s next came when goalkeeper Gilbert pumped a goal kick up field, picking out Clark, who flicked the header on with Harry Smith chasing; confusion between defender and goalkeeper allowed Smith to poach the ball from the keeper for 5-2.

Changes for Zeal saw coach Garry Smith and George Jeffery replace Ryan Dennis and Matt Dennis. Zeal were now playing some of their best football. The ball found Tom Boother who made another attacking run. This time Boother sent a thunderous strike into the far corner of the goal leaving the keeper motionless.

The seventh came when man of the match Tom Reilly picked up the ball from a Garry Smith pass; his quick feet took him past five or six players before he picked his spot from well outside the area. The final goal came from Redd Cann, getting his head up well to curled the ball into the right of the goal. South Zeal are now third in the table.