Played on Tuesday 6th May 2008 at Willand Rovers
Dawlish Town who won the Devon (St Lukes College) Challenge Cup in 1982/83 have gone one better and lifted the Westinsure St Lukes Challenge Bowl with this 3 - 1 win over Willand Rovers
Dawlish took the lead as early as the 4th minutewhen Willand's Sam Croft attempted to head back to the keeper Brian Cann but with the strong sun in his eyes he did not notice the Dawlish full back Liam Moseley who was able to intercept and nod the ball over keeper Cann.
Willand immediately attacked and Paul Pocock's shot was turned away for a corner by Dawlish keeper Ryan Draper. From the resultant corner Willand's David Steele had a header cleared off the line by Dawlish Town's Moseley.
In the 16th minute Willand's keeper Cann was quick off his mark to deny Dawlish striker Jamie Mudge from scoring.
Willand equalised in the 18th minute when Paul Pocock set up Danny Bailey to pick his spot before unleashing a pile driver across goal and into the net. This was a wonderful goal by a master craftsman.
Willand then had a good spell but Croft and Bailey shot over and Gay Mcauley's header went just the wrong side of the post.
After 28 minutes Dawlish were again in front when a free kick by Darren Vicary went by the Willand wall and low into th corner of the net.
On 34 minutes Willand's Steele with a fierce shot warmed the hands of Dawlish keeper Draper.
At the other end a speculative effort by Dawlish Town's Gary Head landed on the Willand top netting and Mudge crossed to Anthony Lynch but the Willand keeper Cann dived low to the left to save the strikers shot.
Willand had a chance to score in the 53rd minute when a quick free kick by Russel Jee found Bailey but the Dawlish keeper dived low to save the nippy forwards shot.
Dawlish wrapped the game up in the 85th minute when keeper Cann under pressure from a Dawlish striker misjudged his clearance and Vicary standing on the edge of the centre circle lobbed the ball back over Cann's head into the empty net for his second of the match.
After the match Willand Rover's Danny Bailey received the man of the match award and the St Lukes Challenge Bowl was presented to the Dawlish Captain Anthony Lynch by the managing director of Westinure and the County president Albert Beer.
Jim Pearcy
Life Member
Devon County F.A
For pictures of the final please follow the link