Horrabridge Rangers U15s 5
Activate U15s 3
IN a fantastic game at Fillace Park, Horrabridge edged an eight-goal thriller in the first round of The Royal Oak Cup.
Horrabridge were fielding their reserve keeper, Chris Argles, but he proved up to the challenge as did the rest of the team.
In the first half, Activate put Horrabridge under pressure but the defence remained strong with Jack Harrison and Josh Bainbridge stemming the tide.
Activate scored first following a corner. Just before half time, Kieran Alford judged the weight and timing of his pass perfectly through the Activate defence. Josh Broughton drove the ball into the net for Horrabridge's equaliser.
In the second half, Activate exploited a gap to take the lead. Captain Adam Cowan-King encouraged his team to battle for every ball and Horrabridge were soon back on level terms when the Activate keeper could only parry a Josh Broughton shot to Kieran Alford who side footed the ball into the net. Activate regained the lead when their number seven found some space on the left wing, cut in and scored.
Just when it seemed Activate would progress into the second round of the cup, Martin Hoar ran onto an Activate clearance and cracked a brilliant 30 yard shot into the top corner of the net.
In the first half of extra time, Activate dominated, but Horrabridge defence stayed strong and were ably supported by midfielders Jordan Eales and Rob Pearce, who had one of his best games for Horrabridge.
In the second period of extra time, Martin Hoar sent a crossfield ball to the feet of Josh Broughton on the left wing. He outpaced four defenders before passing the ball into the net. A move again involving Martin Hoar and Josh Broughton left Kieran Alford with the simple task of placing the ball in the net to seal a fine win. Adam Cowan-King was man of the match.
It was fitting victory for one proud Horrabridge player, Jon Brimble, who received a certificate to celebrate his 100th game for the club.