Devon Defeated on Penalties by Neigbours
The Brunel Cup
Devon Under 16s Boys 2 – 2 Cornwall Under 16s Boys
(4 - 5 on penalties)
Played at Devon County FA Headquarters, Coach Road, Newton Abbot, 20.03.2022
Kicking off at midday Devon were immediately on top in this second match of the Brunel Cup series, Charlie Wood (Torquay Academy Sports) seeing his 1st minute attempt from 25 yards fly just past the post. Two minutes later it was Wood again, this time firing just over the Cornwall crossbar from 10 yards out. The Devon boys were well on top and missed a good chance on 10 minutes when Leo Barraball (Barnstaple Town Youth) smashed his header from a corner onto the far post from three yards out. In the 13th and 15th minutes Evan Murphy (Alpnington Youth) had two good chances but failed first with a 25 yard shot that just cleared the bar and then a shot from the edge of the box straight at Morgan Jones (Helston) in the Cornwall goal.
Nothing had been seen of Cornwall as an attacking force until the 18th minute when Ben Shaw (Newquay) outstripped the Devon defence only to be denied by a well timed saving tackle by Zac Macnamarra (Alphington Youth).
The remainder of the half was all Devon, but they just could not make their dominance count. In the 21st minute Kai Swann (Newton Abbot Spurs Colts) broke through but shot wide. Two minutes later a powerful 15 yard shot from Wood was well dealt with by Jones, who had to be on his toes throughout the remainder of the half as Devon kept driving forward. In the 28th minute Jones again denied Murray gathering a powerful shot from the edge of the box.
In the 34th minute Devon seem certain to score as Wood found Swann with a pass across the edge of the six yard box but, there was Morgan again diving full length to beat away the shot. Would Devon ever score? It seemed unlikely as with half time approaching Jones pulled off another brilliant save to tip a shot from Joel Greenslade (Torquay United) over the bar. Half time then and despite Devon’s dominance the score remained nil – nil.
The second half saw a much changed attitude from both teams and within two minutes of the restart Cornwall were ahead, Steffan Van Blerk slotting from close range after Devon custodian Liam Hill (Torquay United) had only been able to parry a shot from Rocco Hill (Falmouth). Van Blerk had a good chance to make it two in the 49th minute but shot straight at Hill who saved comfortably.
In the 56th minute Cornwall went two up. Straight from defending a corner won by Swann a long clearance found its way two Van Blerk who coolly slotted past Devon’s Substitute keeper Luke Burns (Saints Southwest). Devon almost got one back immediately, Aiden Blackie (Newton Abbot Spurs Colts) chipping his shot just over from the right hand edge of the box.
In the 67th minute Devon got a goal back Murray, put through by Greenslade, making no mistake. 2 – 1 to Cornwall and all to play for but, it wasn’t until the 78th that Devon drew level. Charlie Goldsworthy (Plymouth Parkway Youth) converting from close range a cross from Tom Mortimore (Bovey Tracey Youth). Still, Cornwall could have won it as, in stoppage time, Shaw was put through only to have his shot well blocked by Burns. So, the destination of the point had to be decided on kicks from the penalty spot. Devon’s first spot kick was saved, and Cornwall kept the advantage scoring all of their five against Devon’s four. Cornwall now lead two points to nil in the 6 match series.
Star Player – Morgan Jones (Cornwall)
Devon Squad:-
1 Liam Hill
2 Zak Macnamarra
3 Tom Mortimore
4 Freddie Lofthouse
5 Leo Barrabal
6 Charlie Goldsworthy
7 Evan Murray
8 Joel Greenslade
9 James Blain
10 Charlie Wood
11 Kai Swann
12 Jack Kennell
14 Charlie Muir
15 Aiden Blackie
GK Luke Burns
Dennis Smith
Devon County FA