Stitch 3 Sixty Devon Sunday Supplementary Cup Final

Plymouth Phoenix 10  v  2  PDM FC

Played at Coach Road, Newton Abbot 10/04/2022

Returning as holders Phoenix, who won the cup in 2021 on penalties, had no such difficulty this year, completely outplaying a valiant PDM team in this 10.30am kick off at Coach Road.

Phoenix kicked off and immediately went on the attack forcing a second minute corner, the place kick being taken by Curtis Dennan and headed just wide by Taylor Scarff. Five minutes later Bailey Gamble had a good effort from the edge of the box well saved by PDM keeper Seb Bate. Gamble was not to be denied however, giving his side an 8^th minute lead by lobbing Bate from the edge of the centre circle. Within three minutes PDM were level, Ewan Morgan latching on to a through ball to strike from the corner of the box over Kieran Hall, the Phoenix custodian into the far corner.

PDM were immediately put under pressure as in the next ten minutes two efforts from Gamble kept Bate on his toes, the first from open play and the other a free kick struck with power from 30 yards. Between those two efforts Bate brought off a brilliant double save to deny Marley Cunningham.

In the 23^rd minute Phoenix restored their lead, Owen Pritchard skipping through two tackles and rounding Bate to slot from 10 yards. Three minutes later Bate was called into action again, diving to push a Dave Hewings effort from the 22 yard mark over the bar to safety. It was only a temporary reprieve however, as Callum Doyle, on for the injured David Moore, blasted a drive from the edge of the box into the top corner, giving Bate no chance.

Three one now and the goals started to come thick and fast with PDM having no real answer to the waves of attacking play from the Phoenix. In the 32^nd minute Pritchard hit the fourth, driving his left foot shot across Bate into the far corner. A minute later Gamble volleyed home a crossfield ball from Ashley Walker and then, in the 35^th minute Gamble set up Pritchard who converted from close in to complete his hat trick and put his team six one up. In the last minute of the half Bate excelled again with a good save to deny Cunningham and the first have drew to a close with Phoenix on the cusp of a cricket score.

Within ten minutes of the restart Phoenix found themselves eight one up, Pritchard scoring his fourth and then setting up Gamble to complete his hat trick.

In the 57^th Minute Josh Mutton had a good chance to reduce the PDM arrears but blazed wide when well placed. That was followed in the 63^rd minute by Leandro Cupertino getting on the end of a ball from Lewis Richardson only to see his deft chip saved by Hall. That was as close as PMD came to offering any sort of resistance before Dennan got his name on the scoresheet for Phoenix in the 66^th minute, finishing off a passing move involving himself, Gamble and Ryan Cork to bring their score to nine.

PDM were not letting their heads drop despite the scoreline and, in the 73^rd minute they got a second, substitute Louis Thompson blasting a shot from the edge of the box which beat Hall and flew into the top corner. It was Phoenix who had the last word, however. In the 85^th minute Hewings was tripped inside the penalty area, and it was left to Taylor Owen to step forward and take his team into double figures from the spot.

Star Player - Bailey Gamble (Plymouth Phoenix).

Dennis Smith

Devon County FA