1st Team Vs PGSOB 2

North Devon 1st XI vs PGSOB 2nd XI

The game started with excellent pressure from the home side, with PGSOB creaking at the back early. Guy Cockcroft was able to drive at the defenders, with fellow striker Ash Thorne leading other markers away Cockcroft belted the ball into the far corner. This set the tone for the next twenty minutes of the half, with subsequent goals being scored by skipper David Orr, Thorne with his own and a beautifully worked penalty corner routine being dispatched by Sam Kirkness. A comms error between keeper Sam Wormington and defender Matt Brown let PGSOB in for a cheap goal, but this galvanised the home side to regain possession and dominance in the half. 

North Devon piled on the pressure early in the second half, with Cockcroft adding three to his personal tally with some showmanship around the visiting defenders. Joe Taylor-Richards got in on the act with a deflection to pinch a goal, and Thorne got his second via the keeper's helmet, which led to him having to come off with possible concussion. PGSOB rallied round their teammate, and scored an excellent team goal to keep their spirits high, but North Devon returned to their scoring best with further pressure high up the pitch, veteran defender Mike Cuthbertson wasting a rare opportunity when through on en empty goal. In the last few minutes goals from Taylor-Richards from close quarters, and a simple finish from Ben Cox put the gloss on an already impressive performance from the men in red.

This result meant that North Devon maintain their position in second, and with rivals around them dropping points there is increased belief that this team can take on all comers in the second half of the season. Man of the match was Cockcroft for his four goals, but there were excellent performances from everyone on the pitch. Next weekend sees North Devon take on the students from Exeter University, in what is always a highly competitive fixture.