Thomas Westcott Devon Midweek Cup Final

University of St Mark & St John 4^th  0 - 3   Plymouth Argyle FITC

Played at Coach Road, Newton Abbot 27/04/2022

Plymouth Argyle FITC kicked off and went straight on the attack forcing a corner in the 1^st minute, which came to naught. Apart from a long range header from Argyle’s Taylor Love-Holmes off a Tom Huyton cross in the 12^th minute, easily dealt with by Josh Mickley in the Marjons goal, that was as good as it got from either team as defences got on top.

It was halfway through the first period before either keeper was troubled again, Plymouth’s Jake Mead-Crebbin escorting a powerful cross shot from Ollie Morris past his far post. The early sparing complete, the game came to life and, in the 28^th minute, a shot from Plymouth’s Kieron O’Melia was blocked, the ball falling to Rhys Howarth all alone in the students box, who fired his strike over from 12 yards. Two minutes later it was Jensen Bryan, coming in from the right, who saw his shot from the edge of the box blocked.

Plymouth seemed to be having most of the possession but, generally, the final ball was lacking, and they were often caught offside. It almost cost them as, in the 36^th minute, Marjon’s James Dearlove was brought down just outside the penalty area on the left. Up stepped Will Scawn to drive an angled free kick through a crowded six yard box just past the far post, none of his team able to get the final touch.

The students, having missed that chance, were slow getting their defence back in to their shape and as a result found themselves a goal down. Moving the ball quickly out of defence to O’Melia down the left, who crossed the halfway line unattended and chipped a lovely angle ball into Bryan, whose control was excellent as he took it down and drove his shot from 15 yards just inside the near post.

In the 41^st minute Marjons had a good chance to equalise. A long free kick up the students left fell to Taylor Kasitz who failed to control just inside the box was blocked, the ball rebounding to Dearlove who scuffed his shot which was easily gathered by Mead-Crebbin. In the 44^th minute another good chance came their way. Kasitz, making ground on the left, was taken down by Tylor Love-Holmes 20 yards out. He took the free kick himself, bending it around the three man wall but without enough power to beat Mead-Crebbin and so, Plymouth were able to take their slender one goal lead into the half-time break.

Two minutes after the re-start Plymouth went further ahead, a corner from Joe Short headed home by O’Melia at the near post. Marjons immediately went on the attack and from a free kick taken by Scawn, Dearlove headed just over. That was followed, a minute later, by Charles Abbott striking from the edge of the box just over the bar.

Plymouth then got back on top but, after having two near misses on the hour mark, a back heel from O’Melia blocked by Mickley and the keeper again saving, this time from Short. In the 66^th minute Marjons almost got one back, Scawn pouncing on a loose ball at the edge of the box and drawing a good save from Mead-Crebbin.

In the 71^st minute Plymouth all but made the game safe with their third goal. O’Melia found substitute Blaine Walton with a pass through the middle. His shot was parried by Mickley, but it landed fortuitously at the feet of Love-Holmes who gleefully blasted home from two yards out.

The last twenty minutes was almost exclusively Marjons on the attack with Dean-Crebbin called upon to save from Scawn in the 74^th minute, twice from Dearlove in the 75^th minute and finding an extra stretch in the 83^rd minute to save a shot from Dearlove that took wicked deflection off Tom Stevens. Dean-Crebbin was called upon again in the 86^th minute, saving well from Morris and despite Marjons best efforts he was able to keep a clean sheet.

There were three minutes of added time before Referee Mark Hickson brought what proved to be an enthralling match to a close with the final score at 3 – 0 to Plymouth Argyle FITC.

Star Player - Jensen Bryan (Plymouth Argyle FITC)

Dennis Smith
Devon CFA