Devon and Exeter division seven

Chagford Reserves 5

Newtown fourths 2

FOLLOWING on from the previous week's hiding, Chagford Reserves bounced back to all but destroy their guests' promotion hopes.

Skipper Jake Rowe led the way with a hat-trick and Josh Stanbury weighed in with a double of his own, though both goal scorers would point to the excellent team play all around them.

The match seemed to be heading in a completely different direction after five minutes when Newtown's Charlie Caddy slipped all too easily through the home defence and coolly lobbed the advancing Pengelly. Seven minutes after this setback, Loram played a delightful ball through to Josh Stanbury who came up with a superb finish for an equaliser.

Both 'keepers were then kept busy as play surged from end-to-end, their defences also having to be aware.

Newtown restored their lead as Holmes fired home through a packed penalty box, with Pengelly clearly unsighted.

The next goal was going to prove vital and it Rowe who stepped up to the plate to find another home equaliser. The chance appeared to be lost on the edge of Newtown's penalty area but Rowe kept his feet and placed the ball through the narrowest of spaces between Beggs's hand and the post.

The goal, just before half-time, knocked the stuffing from the visitors and they were slow to recover after the break, Stanbury notching his second just five minutes after the restart.

Within the next ten minutes, Chagford took advantage, Rowe grabbing a personal second and completing his treble with a towering header from Josh Stanbury's corner.

Newtown had no reply to the onslaught and Chagford were able to comfortably see out the final half-hour with ease. Both Chagford teams now have a couple of weeks off, with the chance to recharge their batteries before the end of season run-in.