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Plymouth Citybus Devon Disability Finals Day 2018

Devon FA staged the third ever Disability County Cup Finals Day sponsored by Plymouth Citybus on Sunday 22nd April, with 16 teams gracing the hallowed turf of Coach Road across the ladies, league, intermediate and premiership ability levels. The matches commenced in the morning, with four group stages to determine the top two teams per ability level progressing to the Disability Cup Final for their ability level in the afternoon. 

Notable matches across the group stages included Tavistock Specials Ladies victorious over previous finalists Tiverton Town Ladies, Torquay United Inspirations close 3-2 victory 3-2 against Tavistock Specials Ladies, Club Plymouth sealing their intermediate final place against Tiverton Town and a closely fought Premiership group to confirm the cup finalists. 

Ladies Final 

Barnstaple Ladies (5) Tavistock Specials Ladies (2)

Goal scorers: Harriet Macey (3), Rebecca Ives (2), Laura Cartmill (2)

Tavistock Specials Ladies reached their first ever cup final, sealed by a 4-2 victory against Tiverton Town Ladies in the group stages against the current league leaders Barnstaple FC Ladies. 

In a closely fought match, Barnstaple Ladies took the lead through Rebecca Ives and Harriett Macey, before Laura Cartmill responding with a goal from kick off with the scores Barnstaple 2 Tavistock Specials 1 at the half time break.  Tavistock Specials started the first half well but Harriet put Barnstaple into a commanding 3-1 lead. Laura Cartmill again responded with a fantastic strike before another Rebecca Ives strike and Harriet Macey completing her hat trick. As both teams lined up for the trophy presentation, Barnstaple Ladies captain Rebecca Ives lifted the trophy aloft beginning the celebrations.

League Final 

Torquay United Inspirations (4) Special Olympics Plymouth (1)

Goal scorers: Cameron Harris (3), Harry Dodge (1), Robert Knapp (1)

Special Olympics Plymouth reached the final for the third season in a row against current league leaders Torquay United Inspirations with strong performances in the group stages. The scores were 2-1 at half time to Torquay United Inspirations after fantastic strikes from Cameron Harris, Harry Dodge & Robert Knapp and a heroic display from Special Olympics Plymouth Marc Maggs with a series of fine stops in the Special Olympics Plymouth goal. 

Torquay United Inspirations took command of the match in the second half with Cameron Harris completing his hat trick and Marc Maggs with another fantastic half in goal with some fantastic saves to keep the score 4-1. Torquay United Inspirations can now complete the league and cup double in May and congratulations to Special Olympics Plymouth for reaching the final 3 years in a row. 

Intermediate Final 

Club Plymouth (1) Exeter City (0)

Goal scorers: David Cavey (1) 

Another closely matched final, pitted Intermediate League leaders Club Plymouth and second placed Exeter City in the Plymouth Citybus Disability Intermediate Final. Club Plymouth strikers David Cavey & Chay Halliday went close in the first half, producing good saves from the Exeter City goalkeeper (Jamie Dunn) before David Cavey put Club Plymouth into the lead before half time. Exeter City started the second half with some good chances for Ben Carr and Brian Harris but they couldn’t get past another fine goalkeeping display from Alec Blakeley. After some late pressure from Exeter City, Club Plymouth held out to win the match and take the trophy home to Plymouth as a another team aiming to win the league & cup double this season. 

Premiership Final

Tiverton Town Yellows (0) Tiverton Town Whites (1)

Goal scorers:  Leam Cossey (1)

The finale of finals concluded with the Disability Premiership County Cup Final with an all Tiverton affair between Tiverton Town Yellows and Tiverton Town Whites. Both teams were ready for a close match with both teams drawing their group stage match and progressing well in the Devon Ability Counts League Premiership 2. Also it was a family occasion with Jeff Rawlings as club secretary and his two sons, Matthew & Andrew Rawlings playing for opposite sides in the final. In the first half, Leam Cossey put Tiverton Town Whites into the lead with a fine low finish past the goalkeeper. Tiverton Town Yellows started the second half promisingly but couldn’t get past a strong defensive line of Alex McConnell, Aaron Callender & Luke Thomas. Tiverton Town Whites held out to win a close match and take the Disability County Cup Premiership trophy back to Tiverton. 

Congratulations to all 16 teams that qualified for the 2018 Disability County Cup Finals Day, participating in matches across the day for all ability levels. Thank you to the cup sponsors, Plymouth Citybus for sponsoring the event and to Tiverton Trophies for sponsoring the medals and trophies. Thank you to the Cup’s and Disability Committee’s for making the day possible and also a big thank you to the referees (Allen Lewis, Brian Reeby, Steve Mason, Richard Mason, Mark Walker, Stephen Brealy & Malcolm Stone) for officiating across the day during the group stages and cup finals. 

If you’re interested in getting involved in Disability Football as a player, coach, referee or volunteer or would like further information on Disability Football in Devon, please contact Ashley Harris by email (ashley.harris@devonfa.com) or phone (01626 323560).

To view a full gallery of images from the day please click the link below:

devon fa disability day