Devon Premier Cup Chagford 2 The Grenville 1 AFTER two leagues wins on the road, Plymouth and West Devon Premier League team The Grenville were Chagford?s first visitors this season for their first round tie. This was a tight, entertaining cup tie with both sides coping well with the hot weather. Chagford started well, moving the ball from defence to attack using the width provided by Christian Crowther-Smith on the left and Andrew Davis on the right and the midfield getting forward to support lone striker Joe Whatley. Chagford took the lead after 20 minutes when a smart one-two on the edge of The Grenville?s box saw Joe?s return pass find Andrew who shot across the keeper and in off the post for 1-0. Chagford were solid in defence and exciting going forward and probably should have doubled their lead with chances for Joe, Christian and a good 20 yard drive from Dave van Zwanenberg. A delay in clearing from defence and a deflection gave The Grenville an equaliser before the break. Over elaborate play in left back position and good closing down by The Grenville attackers meant Chagford did not clear their lines and from the resulting cross The Grenville centre forward managed to get in front of Chagford?s centre back Mark Williams. The shot was not clean but deflected off Mark?s boot and looped over the Chagford keeper Chris Woof, dropping in just below the bar. The second half was similar to the first with Chagford having the best of play but The Grenville continued to battle well. Chagford?s second should have come after 25 minutes when Joe broke through the defence but his lob failed to have enough height to clear The Grenville?s keeper. However, five minutes later Andrew Davis got his second of the match (his fifth in the first three games) when a pass from Warwick Botham found him beating the defence for pace and coolly slotting the ball pass the advancing keeper. Chagford continued to create some good chances and should have extended their lead but, in fact, as The Grenville pushed forward it was Chris Woof in the Chagford goal whose fine save from a header helped to maintain the advantage. l This was a cracking cup tie and a final mention must go to everyone behind the scenes who work so hard in getting the pitch ready for the new season.
