1st Team Vs Truro A

North Devon got back to winning ways with an excellent victory over Truro A on Sunday to take them within 1 point of second place in the Southern 1 VerdeRecreo Hockey League. With the game having to be moved to a Sunday and with the long travel time, North Devon were adamant that they were coming away with points and so it was to prove, with season best performances from many of the squad. The game started well for North Devon, with good early control of possession but without any clear chances. Ironically it came from a Truro attack that the Reds scored their first goal, the ball breaking down for Sam Kirkness to thread a long ball through the defence for Guy Cockcroft to beat the keeper one on one. Further North Devon pressure, particularly down the right channel through Phil Brand and skipper David Orr had Truro on the ropes, and were it not for some excellent goalkeeping Ash Thorne could have had another couple of goals before the break. Unfortunately North Devon went in to halftime even, as a lucky break of the ball in the circle fell to a Truro player for a scrappy and undeserved equaliser.

Not to be perturbed, North Devon went hard at the task straight away in the second half, having the lions share of possession. The Reds then took the lead for the second time, with an excellent aerial ball from Cockcroft finding Orr, who not known for his goalscoring record controlled the ball in the air, and fired an exquisite reverse stick shot past a desperate keeper. North Devon were piling on the pressure, and Orr was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet again following an excellent through ball from Cockcroft. However Truro equalised again, with an unsighted Sam Wormington in goal unable to prevent the ball rolling in. Further efforts were well saved by the Truro keeper as the Reds strove for the winner, and this came from a penalty stroke earned by Orr, with Guy Cockcroft getting his second of the game. North Devon then held on to the end, earning the first away victory at Truro in many years. Man of the match went to Ben Andrew, for his industry and impeccable midfield play.

North Devon look forward to playing Caradon this coming Saturday, in a game that could move them to second in the league table.