Devon Intermediate Cup

South Zeal United 2

Exwick Village FC 1

PLAYING down the slope South Zeal immediately had the largest share of possession as the two central midfielders Redd Cann and Tom Reilly linked up well with the back line and forwards.

United tried to utilize the pace of Darren Gilbert down the right flank, long diagonal passes from Matt Dennis and Ben Davey gave the Exwick defence plenty to think about. Zeal had a few half chances in the early exchanges as Darren flashed a few fierce balls across the face of goal; Exwick, however, dealt with the threat.

With 20 minutes played the home side finally made the pressure count as Samuel Jones was able to latch onto the ball after a scramble in the Exwick area and his heavily deflected shot wrong footing the keeper found the back of the net to put Zeal in front. However, coach Garry Smith grew frustrated with his side. The lack of creativity from Zeal meant that they were unable to create many more clear cut chances in the half.

A stern half time team talk from Smith was needed at the break. The second half brought out a different Exwick side as they began to get on the ball with the slope now in their favour. A flurry of chances for the away team brought a few smart saves from Zeal keeper Eddy Jones.

Man of the match and Zeal captain Lee Gilbert enjoyed a solid performace at centre back forming a strong partnership with Matt Dennis, both men making crucial tackles in dangerous areas of the pitch to keep out Exwick.

Twenty five minutes into the second half the home team gave Exwick far too many chances, which eventually brought about their equaliser. Neat passing in the final third ended with a tap in for the striker. Redd Cann and Tom Reilly found the runs of the Zeal forwards, creating chances for Adam Clark and Samuel Jones to run at the Exwick defence. Neither man, however, was able to find the net or that key final pass.

With eight minutes left some smart passing moves from the back line linked up Ben Davey, Darren Gilbert and Samuel Jones, Jones’ final pass nicely weighted into the path of Redd Cann, who burst through the Exwick defence and coolly knocked the ball around the on rushing keeper to give Zeal the 2-1 victory despite, arguably, their weakest performance of the campaign.