1st Team Vs University of Exeter E

North Devon 4 - 4 University of Exeter E

North Devon rescued a point against a combative Exeter University side with a late goal from defender Giles Rowden to confirm their top half finish in a tightly contested league this year. The reds were facing an opposition that is always fit and well drilled, and this proved to be the case with Exeter being strong in possession and holding a good shape without the ball. However, North Devon were finding gaps and were unlucky not to take the lead through Ash Thorne after good work from forward Guy Cockcroft, unfortunately being denied by an excellent save from the visiting keeper. Exeter were the team to take the lead, nipping in at the back post to divert the ball goalwards, and this sparked North Devon into a quick reply, Cockcroft stealing the ball from an attempted Exeter clearance and beating the keeper with an early strike. Unfortunately the students hit back quickly with 2 goals of their own, and half time arrived with the score 3-1 despite further good work by the visiting goalkeeper to deny Rowden twice in quick succession.

The second half resumed with North Devon determined to show the spirit that saw them overturn a 2 goal deficit last weekend against Caradon, and were immediately into the action with Ben Andrews gliding past 3 Exeter players on a slaloming run, feeding Thorne who squared the ball for skipper David Orr to divert in. The pressure was building on the students and players were sin-binned for poor tackling, before Thorne then equalised with a well taken goal after good work by Jay Corden in midfield. North Devon were in the ascendancy but could not get ahead, with Thorne unlucky not to add to his tally when a cross from Cockcroft was flashed high across the goalkeeper but wide. The reds were then shocked by a breakaway goal by Exeter, which gave goalkeeper Phil Daniels no chance of saving, and time was running out to find a third equaliser of the game. With time running out, Jay Corden fed teenager Reuben Windley, who showed great composure at the top of the D to beat a man, and feed veteran right back Giles Rowden, who took a touch and belted the ball straight through the keeper to earn North Devon a well deserved point.

The final game of the season is this coming Saturday away to Torbay.