Saturday saw Cullompton return to action after 4 weeks without a game, when they made the long journey to North Devon to face Torrington AFC.
Cullompton kicked off on a heavy pitch badly cut up, following the recent bad weather.
However, it only took Cullompton 4 minutes to take the lead when Cameron Webb scored following good work from Lewis Hill.
It wasn’t long before Cullompton increased their lead, when Lewis Hill scored from the spot after being upended in the box by the Torrington keeper.
With the muddy pitch playing it’s part, the game became more open, with both sides using the long ball to gain advantage, and it was from such a pass that allowed Torrington to pull a goal back from the penalty spot, following a rash tackle from Drew Sloan.
Cullompton soon regained their two goal advantage after good play down the left, Lewis Hill slotted home his second goal.
From the restart, Cullompton were quick to regain possession, with Lloyd White breaking down the right his cross was cleared by the home defence, but only as far as Cameron Webb, whose shot from 25 yards flew over the keeper into the roof of the net.
Just as Cullompton were thinking they would be taking a three goal advantage into the break, Torrington were awarded a penalty.
From the spot kick, Will Howard made a great save diving to his right to push the ball away, only to see the referee judging he had moved off his line and ordered a retake. Will made another good save, unfortunately the penalty taker following up bundled the ball over the line to score.
No time for the restart, as the referee blew for half time.
The second half was a different challenge, with Cullompton defending the boggy end, kicking up the hill into the wind.
Ten minutes into the half, Torrington pulled a goal back, when a fierce shot from the edge of the area was well parried by Will, only to be forced over the line by a Torrington forward.
Cullompton responded well, creating uncertainty in the Torrington defence.
Another twist in the game came when Cameron Webb was shown a red card for a heavy challenge. He could consider himself unlucky as he had slipped whilst making the challenge.
Backs to the wall now for Cullompton, and with the manager making several changes, the defence coped well with Torrington’s attack.
Then, from a rare Cullompton attack, Lewis Hill was brought down 25 yards from goal. Lewis took the kick himself curling a low shot into the far corner, so restoring Cullompton’s two goal advantage.
Torrington became more wasteful and desperate as the game drifted into extra time, although they did manage to reduce the lead, when a speculative shot from the left wing was diverted pass the diving Will Howard.
On the restart, Cullompton maintained possession, sensibly playing the game out till the final whistle.
A great result for Cullompton, in very heavy conditions.
Final score:
Torrington 4 Cullompton 5
Rev the roving reporter
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