1st Team Vs University Of Exeter 6

North Devon Hockey Club first team continued their excellent form with a 2-1 victory over a spirited University of Exeter team, to leave them just 2 points behind league leaders Okehampton. Despite the average age of the team being twice that of the spritely students, North Devon used their unquestionable experience to outplay Exeter and come out with a well deserved win. 

Travelling with no substitutes due to injuries and positive covid cases, the team were up against it on paper, but started strongly with plenty of pressure. Eventually this pressure was to tell, with Ash Thorne intercepting a wayward clearance and quickly putting Guy Cockcroft through on goal, who cooly slotted home to add to his tally of 11 goals in 5 matches since returning from injury. 

North Devon continued this high level through to halftime, seeing chances from Cockcroft and captain David Orr skilfully saved by the opposition keeper, whilst the defence kept things solid, offering little to the Exeter forwards. 

The second half started as the first finished, with plenty of positive intent. But as the half wore on the age and numbers on the North Devon side began to show. Moments of brilliance in the form of a goal line flick save by Man of the Match Michael Cuthbertson, and a terrific aerial interception by Ben Cox, couldn’t make up for the weary legs, and the Uni side were able to snatch an equaliser. 

Far from capitulating, North Devon were galvanised by this, and pushed forward in the search for a winner. It came after a quick bit of quick thinking and sharp passing from Cockcroft, who managed to slide the ball through to Thorne to deflect  into the side netting. 

North Devon will entertain Torbay next Saturday and hope to continue their push for top spot, with a fourth win on the bounce.