Newton Abbot Spurs win 4-2 on Pens
NEWTON ABBOT SPURS RES 2 HARBERTONFORD 2 (after extra-time)
(Spurs win 4-2 on penalties)
The first forty-five minutes of this Final were largely forgettable as both sides sought to fathom out the other's tactics and neither managed to get a serious shot on goal. Harbertonford's Aaron Bartlett had a shot blocked in the area and then sent one over the top. For Spurs, Greg Priscott saw his shot headed over and Jamie Dawes's shot was saved comfortably. Ironically, it was Priscott who was to prove key to the outcome much later in the game.
Ben Doyle, the Spurs custodian, was much the busier in the second half. Within ten minutes of the restart, Harry Carpanini slipped a tackle on the edge of the area and fired the ball home at Doyle's near post. A defensive mix-up in the Spurs box then led to Mark Titchard firing just wide and Doyle had to move smartly to collect an effort from Zeb Peters. Mid-way through the half Spurs saw their first real chance and took it. Priscott flicked on a cross and Ryan Saunders was on hand to head home neatly. Fords rose to the occasion with Charlworth, Lindon and Bovey all being denied by Doyle and Spurs restricted to the odd foray.
The first period of extra-time opened dramatically as Peters was felled in the area and Fords skipper Marc Graham stepped up to ram the penalty in at the bottom corner. Carpanini hit a Spurs post soon after but just before Doyle picked up a second yellow card and was dismissed. Priscott pulled on the 'keeper's shirt and, in almost his first action, he did well to save from Mark Titchard. Priscott was proving as adept in goal as on the outfield and kept Spurs heads up as they went into the second half of extra-time, Fords defending their slender lead. The game looked over for Spurs when Mitchell Sims blasted his penalty kick over, following a foul in Fords box. With the seconds running away, Priscott made another run from his goal, met Sims's corner with his head and Spurs were level again.
Priscott's personal show wasn't over though as he dived to push aside Harbertonford's first penalty shoot-out attempt from Sandbrook. Spurs' Alex Slatter was to fire home the deciding penalty but it was Priscott who was swamped by his team-mates, when referee Kevin Gidley called time in the twilight.