The second team surpassed last year’s slow start to the season with a comfortable 4-1 victory at Lympstone in a display that showed flashes of class and promise for the season ahead.
The early stages of the game were typical of an early season match, with neither team prepared to give anything away and both sides hampered by an inability to get the ball over head height. When Lympstone finally achieved this feat they also cleared the bar when one on one, wasting the first chance of the match. Cullompton slowly grew into the game, before one of Harvey Newman’s dynamic runs into the box was rewarded with a half chance which he smashed into the top corner. Dan Horler got the idea, finishing similarly when put in on the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 at half time.
Lympstone started the second half by committing men forward and becoming more direct, but failed to create any real chances. As they lost their discipline one of their players become preoccupied with wrestling Tom Broome to the ground and rubbing his face into the grass, while Cotts took advantage of the diversion to finish smartly 50 yards away, making it 3-0. Confidence up, Jamie Cottrell was now rolling back the years (to his mid thirties), and linking well with Callum Luke who came on for his senior debut. Callum soon received the ball on the edge of the area, and after evading a couple of challenges finished spectacularly to make it 4.
Cullompton did well to maintain discipline under increasing provocation, and displayed the depth of quality midfield players in the squad as Audie Campbell came on to make an assured debut
The defence was reorganised after Clarky came off having clearly over exerted himself on holiday, and Lympstone took advantage with a late consolation goal well taken – expect an improved performance from them with a few players back in the return game.
Although a disappointing end to the game, with limited pre season minutes for many players this was a strong start to the season and an excellent result. Maintaining this level of performance will be key in ensuring that the season as a whole, and not just the start, surpasses the last.
FINAL SCORE: Lympstone 1 – 4 Cullompton Rangers
Match report by D.Hawes
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