Holman Cup Final
Shambrookshire 3
North Tawton 4
THIS final was played in front of a large crowd in North Devon with plenty of enthusiastic travelling fans from North Tawton.
The game started at a good pace with both teams finding their feet. Sham were ahead within the first five minutes from bad defending.
But Tawton came into their own, and after Dean Rice had been fouled. Rob Board executed a lovely free kick onto the head of Eddie Hillier. His header was saved but the rebound was met by Steve Ward and cleared off the line.
Tawton stepped up through the gears. A
corner swung in from the impressive Rob Board was met superbly by Steve Ward at the back post. His header found Ashley Arscott, only to see his effort hit straight at the keeper.
Edward Hillier, who started to dominate the centre of the park, hit a good 25-yard drive just past the wrong side of the post.
With 30 minutes gone, Arscott?s pass to Keith Steward just on the edge of the box was volleyed home straight into the top corner to send the fans wild.
Board connected with Ward yet again from a free kick only to see the header hit the crossbar.
Timmy Williams at the back for Tawton hit a long free kick from defence, only to see the opposition?s centre glance the ball back to his keeper.
But the keeper spilled the back pass and Ian King was on hand to slot the ball home for Tawton to take the lead.
Within two minutes of the second half Sham made it level.
Steward, a constant thorn for the opposition along with Arscott, was brought down in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and Hillier calmly slotted the penalty away.
Steward had the chance to wrap the match up but hit the post after good play from Board.
With ten minutes of extra time to go, Sham equalised to the delight of their fans.
Extra time was a test of both teams? stamina.
Arscott with his tireless running broke through to square the ball to Board who scuffed a shot wide of the empty goal.
The winner came in the second half of extra time from Arscott who killed off the opposition with a lovely finish.
Captain Steve Ward picked up the cup to bring home to Tawton.
The club expressed thanks to all the travelling fans who made the long journey to Lynton.