Bill Slee Cup final

South Zeal United 6

Colaton Raleigh 2

HAVING seen off favourites Dolphin in the semi-final, South Zeal produced a tremendous performance in the final of the Bill Slee Cup at Lord's Meadow, Crediton to take home the East Devon trophy.

It took only ten minutes for South Zeal to take the lead when Darren Gilbert latched onto a through ball from Ricky Drew, held off two defenders and smashed a shot into the back of Colaton's net from 12 yards. For the next 20 minutes Colaton had no answers to the pace of Harley Cann and Darren and when Stuart Entwistle put Harley through for the second and he beat two defenders to score from close range they looked shell-shocked.

However, more was to come as Redd Cann and Scott Hooper combined to put Harley through down the left. He turned inside and produced a brilliant chip from the edge of the box to put South Zeal three up.

South Zeal were now rampant and went 4-0 after a great run by Harley Cann and a cross that found Robbie Sandercock in space down the right saw him cut inside and produce a tremendous finish into the top corner of the Colaton net.

Colaton never stopped trying and scored just before half-time when a shot from the edge of the South Zeal penalty area was deflected into the net. They scored again ten minutes into the second half when one of their strikers scored a great goal from the edge of the South Zeal penalty area.

Another goal from Colaton would have put the result in doubt but the Zeal rearguard of Reg Wonnacott, Tom Reilly, Graham Soby and Ben Davey were not about to let things slip and for the next 20 minutes they tackled and blocked as if their lives depended upon it to keep Colaton out.

The intoduction of Lee Gilbert, Phil Evans and Jamie Atherton gave South Zeal some fresh legs and with ten minutes left Stuart Entwistle scored to make the score 5-2. Just before the final whistle Scott Hooper's free kick was headed home by Jamie Atherton — the cup was now Zeal's and after a good season the icing on the cake.

The club would like to thank all the supporters that made the journey to Crediton — their support was invaluable.