Article and photo by Tom Besford.

The Devon Premier Cup is always one of the most entertaining tournaments in the local football season, and the first round of this season’s tournament begun with strong winds dominating matches around the county.

Thorverton made the trip to Torquay to take on Waldon Athletic from the South Devon League Premier Division at a very exposed and cold Windmill Hill, and the wind was to be the winner as it dominated the game and made it hard for both teams.

Both teams started the game quickly as Thorverton moved the ball quickly down the wings but couldn’t get the ball in to a goal scoring position whilst down the other end, Waldon blazed a shot over the bar as they broke the back line, but the effort from Jacob Knapman wouldn’t have counted anyway as the offside flag had been raised.

The game was just approaching the twenty minute mark when the deadlock was broken as once again Thorverton broke down the left wing through Nathan Lee, and his cross found its way into the back of the net with some help from a strong wind. The visitors won’t care how the goal came about though as they took the lead against their unbeaten hosts.

Diego Barbero had to pull off a brilliant save as a headed effort from a Waldon corner was heading in, but the ball was tipped over the bar for another corner. Waldon were starting to apply some pressure as they looked for an equaliser, and Thorverton would have to dig deep to stay in front.

With just over five minutes until half time, Thorverton would have been frustrated to not double the lead as Lee had a chance for his second of the game. A Sam Stewart shot was saved by Waldon goalkeeper Kitson Glanville but it was only parried as far as Nathan Lee who fired wide of the target.

The visitors were made to pay for their missed chance as Waldon equalised with their very last touch of the first half. A cross from Sam Heath found the head of Danny Rushe as he guided the ball past Barbero and into the net to send the teams in at the break all square. The game didn’t even have the chance to kick off again as the half time whistle was blown.

As Waldon looked to push on and hopefully cause an upset, their task became even harder after fifty six minutes as they were reduced to ten men as Louie Roberts was given his marching orders for a second yellow card. The Waldon man lunged in on the goalkeeper meaning he was sent for an early shower.

Being a man down didn’t seem to affect the hosts at first and Les Afful, one of the two ex-professional footballers in their side, attempted an audacious shot from over thirty yards out after he saw the visiting ‘keeper off his line. Afful could only watch, though, as the ball went just wide of the target.

Thorverton were pushing to take the lead and their chances came as Chris Powell fired wide in a crowded box. Pressure kept coming down the left wing and a cross into the box was headed on to the far post with ten minutes remaining as Ben Stevens was on hand to fire in from close range to put his side back in front.

Danny Rushe headed a late corner over the bar as the hosts looked for a late equaliser, but it would never come as Thorverton held on to prevent a cup shock from occurring and progress into the next round.

Waldon Athletic team: Kitson Glanville, Olly Moxham, Danny Rushe, Kyle Doughty, Louie Roberts, Sam Heath, Ash Grimes, Harrison Arnold, Sean Finch, Tom Davis, Jacob Knapman

Subs: Keenan Breen, Les Afful, Joe Whitehead, Cal Feasby, Liam McKendrick

Thorverton team: Diego Barbero, Charlie Webb, Paddy O’Loughlan, Pete Hensor, Ben Stevens, Joe Radford, Sam Stewart, Ryan Moody, Nathan Lee, Dylan Isaac, Chris Powell

Subs: Jacob Dack, Piotr Czaja, James Stevens, Ben Mills