Exmouth United 4-1 CS Bobcats (Plate Competition)

Exmouth United Under 12s progressed through to the semi-finals of the Exeter Youth League Plate Competition with their best performance of the season so far. Visitors CS Bobcats, clearly a good footballing side, were unable to keep the home side at bay as Exmouth came out of the blocks with fluid passing moves, many involving midfielders Dylan Mogford and Captain Lewis Evans. In the first few minutes United put down a marker with two penetrating passes that led to one-on-one situations versus the keeper - in both cases the last touch let the attacker down. Playing against a strong wind, Exmouth were camped in the Bobcats half and eventually found their way through with a set-piece corner. Winger Seb Harrison passed it back to Bryn Stephens who launched a dangerous cross into the box. It fell to the in-form Jay Leballeur who shot cleanly into the net to put the hosts in front. Towards the end of the first half the visitors had a spell of pressure, but the Exmouth defence of Harry Kifli-Reynolds, Harry Bassett and Tom Price kept their composure and saw out the danger. 

The second half saw United up the tempo with wave after wave of incisive attacking play. Evans and fellow midfielder Finn Glanfield were a force in the middle of the park, running from deep and terrorising the defence with their individual skill and excellent passing. It was only a matter of time before the second goal came; this time Kuba Strzalkowski latched on to a rebound and struck it home. Exmouth had much joy from the wings with Leballeur, Stephens and Cayleb Field delivering a series of testing crosses, the most impressive coming from Leballeur who swung the ball in from the left for Stephens who volleyed in from close range. When the visitors ventured forward they came up against resolute defending, with Jack Greaves impressive at right back.

The match ended spectacularly with two penalties in quick succession. United conceded a foul in the box and the visitors struck back to make it 3-1. Then, in the last minute, Lewis Alford, normally the Exmouth keeper, won a spot kick when his shot struck the arm of a defender. Alford stepped up and slotted in the penalty to round off a superb team performance from Exmouth.