Devon and Exeter three

Newton St Cyres 1

SOUTH Zeal produced a great performance to take all three points from this game at Newton St Cyres on Saturday.

Having not played for five weeks both teams struggled to get their passing games going and Zeal went a goal down after 10 minutes when Newton scored direct from a corner kick that nestled into the top far corner of the Zeal goal.

The visitors at last started to play as Redd Cann, Stuart Entwistle and Daniel Gibbs took control of the mid-field and put the home side under constant pressure and after 30 minutes South Zeal equalised when Harley Cann broke through and beat the Newton keeper from close range.

With the score at 1-1 at half time Zeal started slowly in the second half and only some last ditch defending by the Zeal back five, marshalled by the excellent Lee Gilbert, kept the home side from taking the lead.

As the second half progressed the visitors came more into the game and took the lead with 15 minutes left when Darren Gilbert broke into the penalty area and scored with a low shot into the left hand corner of the Newton goal.

The home side now pushed on for an equaliser and only some great defending by all of the Zeal side kept them at bay. Then just as it looked as if South Zeal had held out Newton got a penalty, the penalty was hit well but Reg Wonnacott dived to his right and made a great save to give Zeal a well deserved win.