East Devon Senior Cup
first round
Hatherleigh 3
Newtown 2
ALTHOUGH Hatherleigh never really got out of bottom gear they still managed to win more comfortably than the scoreline suggest.
The first half saw the visitors start brightly but with the home side's first meaningful attack they scored. Patrick Jones picked up the ball in midfield and his well-threaded pass found Jamie Halpin clear on goal and he easily beat the keeper.
The home side showed glimpses of good football at times but it was a superb individual goal that got them the second. Simon James' first touch took him away from his marker and his shot flew into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.
The visitors, who never really threatened, were given a lifeline just before half-time when the referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and the kick was duly dispatched into the bottom corner of the net.
The second half became scrappy however, Hatherleigh managed to extend their lead following a good free kick out wide from Paul Endacott who found Halpin unmarked at the back post to nod the ball home.
The visitors never gave up and their efforts were rewarded a couple of minutes from time with a second goal, but it was too late to worry the home side.
This week Hatherleigh entertain Okehampton, kick-off 3pm.