Played at Lux Park Liskeard on Wednesday 14th May 2008
Devon clinched the championship title for the fourth time with this 3 - 2 victory over Cornwall thanks to a first half hat-trick by Tavistock's Glynn Hobbs on his debut.
This exciting end to end match started at a lightning pace producing two goals in the first six minutes , however after 10 minutes thunder and lightening took control as the players had to leave the field for 12 minutes.
Devon took the lead after 3 minutes when Hobbs fired home after both Danny Baily (Willand Rovers) and Carl Cliff Brown (Newton Abbot) had shots blocked.
Cornwall equalised three minutes later when Steve Ovens (Bodmin Town) equalised with a header from a cross by Huw Morgan (Bodmin Town).
Cornwall then had a good spell. Danny O'Hagan (Bodmin Town) headed just wide from a corner by club colleague Danny Gilbert. A free kick by Oven's was cleared off the line by Devon's Neil Bettis (Bideford) and Morgan bought the best out of Devon keeper Ryan Draper (Dawlish Town)
On 14 minutes Devon's Hobbs was gifted with a poor back pass byt the Cornwall defence but this time wth only the Cornwall keeper Paul Hider (Launceston) to beat failed to score with an attempted lob.
A minute later Devon keeper Draper came running out and dived at the feet of Oven's to deny the striker from scoring.
On 19 minutes Devon Baily accelerated down the right flank before rounding a defender and putting over a precision cross to Kevin Squire (Barnstaple Town) whos shot was saved by Cornwall keeper Hider.
On 22 minutes Devon again went ahead when Hobbs netted his second after being set up by Cliff-Brown, and two minutes later Hobbs had another effort go just wide.
Cornwall then attacked and were unlucky not to get the equaliser as both Brendon Nute (Falmouth Town) and O'Hagan had header go close and Devon keeper Draper saved another header from O'Hagan.
After 44 minutes Devon were 3 - 1 upwhen Hobbs completed his hat-trick with a pile driver low into the corner of the net.
Cornwall pulled a goals back after 51 minutes when O'Hagan set up Nick Campbell (Bodmin Town) to score with a rocket of a shot fron the edge of the box.
It was then Devon's turn and Arron Pugh (dawlish Town) with a header and made Cornwall keeper Hider leap high to save. David Steele (Willand Rover) had a shot land on top of the net and Cliff Brown's cross jusr evaded the head of Squire's
At the other end Devon's Baily cleared a Cornish effort off the line. Oven's also forced a brilliant save from Devon keeper Draper and Gavin Coulter (Saltash United) shot just wide.
After the match the South & West Counties Championship competiton secretary presnted the awards to the Devon players and the trophy to Devon captain Carl Cliff-Brown. Devon senior Commitee chairman Roland Brown also received on behalf of Devon a plaque to mark the occassion.
Jim Pearcy
Life Member
Devon County F.A
Please follow the link on the right for all the pictures from the match. And please see an updated list of all this seasons Fixtures and Results in the related documents section