Geary Cup

South Zeal United 8

St Martin's 2

HAVING won again convincingly the previous week, but without having played particularly well, South Zeal came into this game with renewed focus and a hunger to win by playing attractive football.

The importance of the game was also reflected in some personnel changes, with Stuart Cann and Redd Cann playing from the start, adding some experience and guile though the spine of the team. These tactics soon paid off when Harley Cann out-foxed the St Martin's defence to slot home in typically emphatic fashion, giving the goal keeper no chance.

South Zeal were now completely in control on their home turf, thanks to some superb work in the centre of the park from Matty Dennis and the ever energetic Redd Cann.  The home side played a much more compact and narrow formation, shutting down the St Martin's midfield. This soon led to captain Cann calmly netting his second.

South Zeal were now in the ascendancy with Samuel Jones showing determination and energy, which led to the centre forward Darren Gilbert netting from five yards, yet again displaying his killer instinct in front of goal.

Man of the match Gilbert scored another impressive goal making the score 4-0 at half-time.

South Zeal played up the slope in the second half and started in a positive manner. This soon led to Harley Cann completing his hat-trick from 12 yards to make it 5-0. With the visitors two touch football St Martin's were powerless to stop the opposition. Darren Gilbert outpaced the defence yet again to net his hat-trick for number six.

Harry Smith now bossed the game for United with his vision and awareness of the spaces and Harley Cann soon smashed home his fourth to make it 7-0.

St Martin's rallied to score two penalties, however, an own goal from their left back made it an impressive 8-2 to South Zeal.