Photo © Gary House Photography, photos available to purchase: https://t.co/wDYszVYeVH

A strong crowd turned out in force on a sunny May afternoon to Budleigh Salterton who hosted the ThirstFitness League Cup final between Appledore and Alphington. Both teams have had good seasons, and this was a tough final to call between two very good teams.

Getting the first goal in a cup final is always vital and on this occasion it didn’t take long to arrive as Alphington took the lead within seven minutes. Evan Murry sent a corner into the box which Appledore keeper Noah Vaughan tried to catch with the ball dropping into the net at his far post, a dream start for the Alpha’s.

Boosted by the opening goal, Alphington quickly went in search for a second and almost had it moments later when a clever one two between Ben Bickle and goal scorer Murry ended with the latter firing over the bar from inside the penalty area.

The North Devon side started to create some space as they looked to go forward in search of an all important equaliser and they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Jason McGinley took on the responsibility of the dead ball but could only watch as his strike was met with a fantastic save by Alphington’s number one Leon Woodhead who managed to tip the ball over the bar.

With half an hour played Appledore managed to clear an effort off the line as both teams were creating chances and it wasn’t long before Alphington had another glorious chance. Murry and Bickle once again teaming up well with the latter sending a shot towards goal on the turn but his effort was low and weak meaning Vaughan had a simple task of gathering the ball. A chance in a great position to double the lead which could’ve come back to haunt them later in the game.

With half time approaching quick Oscar Jarrett put the ball over the bar from the edge of the box for Appledore and these missed chances for the North Devon side would prove costly with the half entering injury time as Alphington doubled their lead. A low right wing cross by Joel Greenslade was cleverly left in the middle by Bickle finding Murry at the far post who had the whole goal to aim at and he made no mistake adding to his tally.

An entertaining first half but Appledore knew they had their work cut out in the second half if they wanted to get back into the game to try and get their hands on the trophy. The team talks in the changing rooms would’ve been of contrasting nature and both sides knew the next goal would be crucial.

Appledore came out like a new team in the second half and dominated in large periods against an Alphington side that just struggled to get going again. The North Devon side knew they had to find goals and the quicker they could get the first the easier their job would become.

An Oscar Jarrett corner, from the same corner in which the first goal of the day was scored, was delivered into a crowded area and Appledore captain Aaron Souster rose the highest to head towards goal but he couldn’t get his effort down as it sailed over the top.

The second half wasn’t even fifteen minutes old and the supporters in attendance were treated to the third goal of an entertaining final as the North Devon side managed to get a foot back into the game. McGinley played the ball over to Noah Harris who managed to calmly find the far corner past an onrushing Woodhead to get his side back in the game.

A moment which could’ve seen the game levelled came just after the hour mark and McGinley won’t want to be remembering his wasted chance. A shot from Brian Levien came back out as far as McGinley with an open goal to aim at but somehow he managed to clear the crossbar by quite a distance.

Appledore had shouts for a penalty with ten minutes remaining at the end of the match as a Jarrett shot was blocked in the box by what appeared to be an arm. Despite all the protests the referee waved play on to the frustration of the players and supporters from the Fishermen.

As the clock ran down at the end of the match Alphington had one more chance to seal the game and add gloss to the result as a short corner resulted in Charlie Gillard crossing the ball and Harry Wellaway shooting over at the far post.

Alphington were able to hang on and win the cup in an entertaining final where both teams showed their quality to wrap up another season in the Devon Football League.  

Appledore team: Noah Vaughan, Noah Harris, David Mason, Aaron Souster, Jonathan Elvins, Kai Dymond, James Harley, Joe Kelly, Oscar Jarrett, Jason McGinley, Brian Levien

Subs: Matt Bryce, Joseph Stevens, Morgan Taylor, Jamie Bowden

Alphington team: Leon Woodhead, Ben Annunziata, Jordan Casey, Harry Wellaway, Charlie Gillard, Jake Haggerty, Rio Potter, Harry Walford, Joel Greenslade, Ben Bickle, Evan Murry

Subs: Jake Pond, Tom Bray, Ben Rowland

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