Devon and Exeter six

South Zeal United 3

Winkleigh FC? 3

SOUTH Zeal went into this late evening match against Winkleigh looking to get their first three points of the season and put their previous defeat against Whipton and Pinhoe FC behind them.

Their determination was immediately obvious in the way South Zeal attacked from the off. It was not long before Zeal made their early dominance in possession pay as young Samuel Jones was able to fire home the opener after good build up play from Zeal’s strong midfield four of Redd Cann, Tom Reilly, Harry Smith and Samuel Jones.

Following the opening goal Winkleigh worked their way into the game, pressing a complacent Zeal and creating some good chances. Among the more notable chances created by Winkleigh was a free kick that was destined for the top corner, only to be denied by a superb fingertip save from stand-in goalkeeper Lee Gilbert to keep the score at 1-0.

Even he was unable to keep out Winkleigh’s equaliser as the Zeal defence was breached and the game was levelled at 1-1.

Zeal were unfazed by this and began to once more take control of the tie. Good work from Tom Boother and Spencer Stallion allowed Harry Smith to find good positions and eventually link up with Zeal’s attacking players. Samuel Jones turned goal scorer to creator as his ball across the box was smashed in by Adam Clark to restore the lead 2-1.

The second half brought about some end to end football, with chances at both ends. 30 minutes into the second half a great ball over the Winkleigh defence from Ryan Dennis was met by Adam Clark who nodded the ball over the out-rushing goalkeeper before stroking the ball into the empty net.

With the score at 3-1 the game looked safe for Zeal but a determined Winkleigh side saw things differently. They pressed the Zeal midfield again much as they had in the first half. A smooth flowing counter attack and top finish reduced the deficit to 3-2.

With just three minutes of the match left Winkleigh won two corner kicks, with the latter bringing about a goal mouth scramble and an attempted clearance from a Zeal defender that ended up nestling in the back of his own net.

South Zeal United 9

East Budleigh 2nds 1

AFTER being pegged back by Winkleigh three days earlier, Zeal went into their match against East Budleigh 2nds determined to avoid the over-confidence that seeped into their mid-week performance.

South Zeal saw the return of club legend Harley Cann who came out of retirement to play for the club on a day where the side was limited in numbers.

Zeal started the match with real urgency, almost scoring right from the off as the Zeal strike-force of Clark and Cann linked up just as well they had last season.

Playing their best passing football of the season thus far Zeal began to create numerous chances. Redd Cann and Tom Reilly were instrumental in Zeal’s early dominance as the architects of almost every attack. Five minutes into the match the ball broke the the right flank to Darren Gilbert, who coolly beat his man before sending the ball past the goalkeeper to give Zeal a 1-0 lead.

United looked hungry for goals and continued to pass and move from the solid back line of Ben Davey, Lee Gilbert, Dan Wakeham and Tom Boother. The natural pace of Zeal’s attacking players proved to be Budleigh’s undoing. Harley Cann broke through from the halfway line before going around the keeper and slotting the ball home.

A minor lapse in concentration from the Zeal midfield allowed for Budleigh to find space to shoot from ambitious range. With the keeper backpedaling the Budleigh midfielder unleashed a strike from just inside Zeal’s half which nestled in the top corner to pull a goal back for 2-1.

Unfazed by the goal, Zeal replied almost instantly with Darren Gilbert continuing to cause problems for Budleigh with his unmatched pace. He ran clean through to beat the goalkeeper for his second and Zeal’s third.

The home side made no changes at half time but they retained their attacking verve after the break. Five minutes into the half Darren Gilbert completed his hat trick. Harley Cann’s cross field ball was met by Adam Clark’s flicked header which Gilbert latched onto quicky and claim his third of the match.

Zeal were now rampant with Tom Reilly winning possession of the ball and finding the wide players. Darren Gilbert this time turned provider as he whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal which was met by Harley Cann to claim his second of the afternoon.

George Jeffery was then brought into the game, his first competitive match for Zeal saw him out on the left wing. With just 20 minutes remaining, Tom Boother was able to link up with Tom Reilly who was able to find Gilbert in another dangerous position.

He calmly slotted the ball home for his fourth of the match and fifth of the season. A series of corners for Zeal gave Budleigh much unwanted pressure at the back, with things getting a little scrappy in front of goal. Zeal won a penalty after Tom Reilly was brought down in the box. Penalty taker Adam Clark stepped up to fire the ball into the far right of the goal, clipping the underside of the bar on its way in for 7-1.

More corners came South Zeal’s way, one after the other as Budleigh seemed unable to clear their lines.

Gazza Smith was brought on and went straight on corner kick duty, his lovely whipped ball into the box was met by a firm header from Tom Reilly to make the score 8-1.

The whole Zeal team seemed to want to be on the score sheet now, with most of the players getting forward at every opportunity.

One touch football found the lads in the Budleigh penalty area before a big goal mouth scramble was eventually knocked in by Zeal new boy George Jeffery, completing a perfect debut for the sharp young man.

• On Saturday South Zeal are at home to Halwill 2nds in the Football Express Cup, kick off at 2.30pm.