Devon and Exeter division five

South Zeal United 2

North Tawton 3

THERE was a lot of local pride to play for in this much awaited derby on Saturday in the league.

With their biggest crowd in years South Zeal set the pace early on creating a flurry of chances, but were found fruitless as the Tawton defence found a way to scrabble the ball away.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring when they broke through on goal after a miscommunication at the back from Zeal’s back line.

Once again the home side took the game to Tawton but it was a case of attack to defence from Zeal as they failed to score from a dominance in possession and were left wide open at the back. Coach/keeper James Williams made the decision to rush off his line only to fell the young Tawton forward. Jamie Atherton stepped up and Cooley converted for 2-0.

The second half finally saw Zeal get their reward when  centre back Tom Reilly nodded home from a superb Jack Davey free kick. Hope was restored for Zeal minutes later and the loudest cheer Zeal had heard in some years was let out when their man of the match Ryan Dennis drew the home side level with a superb strike for 2-2. Those roars soon faded as Tawton’s youngest of the squad found a way through with 15 minutes to play, firing the visitors back in front to give them the snatch and grab victory and bragging rights for the season.