Juventus League

Cup Final

St James? Park

Okehampton U15s 0

Pinhoe U15s 1

HIGH flying Pinhoe were confident red hot favourites to win this cup final at St James? Park, but it took a last-minute deflected goal against the run of play to secure their victory.

The first half Okehampton tactics were to stifle Pinhoe with a 5-4-1 formation. Pinhoe dominated possession but a well-organised defence and outstanding keeping by man of the match Herrod-Taylor kept the favourites at bay.

Captain and central defender Ben Kimber was outstanding. He marshalled Okehampton?s defence, tracked, tackled and set up counter attacking surges into midfield.

Full backs B J Weeks and Matt Merton were tireless. Centre backs Gary Sizmur and Elliott Collins were tenacious.

Okehampton?s midfield were outstanding. Darren Chapman ran himself into the ground as Darren Prouse and Phil Woods ensured Pinhoe had to battle for every ball. Rob Clark?s skills were dazzling and only matched by his incredible work rate. Lone striker Kyle Maltravers had a thankless task but one he doggedly stuck to.

With the score 0-0 at half-time Okehampton switched tactics and changed to a 5-3-2 formation, Matt King came on for Maltravers. His skill and pace changed the tempo of the game. The balance of play swung towards Okehampton as they played the ball around in confident style.

Substitute Ricky Wooldridge was introduced on the left and

tormented Pinhoe?s defence.

Okehampton continued to press and with 20 minutes to go brought on Christ Raymont to join the attack. He demonstrated touches and skills to grace the occasion.

With just ten minutes to go they had their chance, created by King who beat his defender and slid the ball low to the right hand side of the keeper. The ball was heading goalward into an empty net until at the last moment it bobbled and shaved, agonisingly, the wrong side of the post.

The match appeared to be heading for extra time. Pinhoe had used all their subs and Okehampton had Nick Ward and Paul Butt still ready to come on.

But with just two minutes left a hopeful shot was deflected, wrong-footing Herrod-Taylor. Pinhoe through good fortune snatched the honours in a hard fought battle.