Brixham Book Premier Final Place
A flurry of late goals set the seal on a magnificent Premier Cup victory for Brixham AFC who deposed Peninsula Division East side Appledore to secure a final place at Coach Road on 8th May.
Although the score ended 3-0 to the SDFL side, the underdogs were made to fight for their victory as the villagers from North Devon applied sustained pressure after going behind on 18 minutes, Jay Morgan (pictured) converting Ben Adams’ cross. Dan Harmer cleared off the line as Appledore searched for that elusive equaliser.
Then, on 85 minutes, winger Adams cut inside and curled a left-foot shot into the bottom corner to finally ease the pressure on Jason Couch’s side. But Brixham were not to get off that lightly: one minute later, referee Oliver Green pointed to the spot and Appledore suddenly had a lifeline. But Dan Gillard saved the spot-kick well to end any hopes of a grandstand finish. Instead, Adams put the icing on the cake, cutting inside from the left and planting an unstoppable shot past the Appledore goalkeeper with seconds left on the clock.
Brixham will hope to go one better than Buckland Athletic Reserves, who lost out 2-1 to Exmouth in last season’s final (see video on the right). Attention now switches to Budleigh Salterton where Watcombe Wanderers take on Newtown tonight in the other semi-final. Watcombe already have fond memories of Greenway Lane this season, having knocked out the Peninsula side earlier in the competition.
ROAD TO THE FINAL
Round 1: Topsham Town 0 – 3 Brixham AFC
Round 2: Heavitree United 2 – 3 Brixham AFC
Round 3 :Brixham AFC 1 – 0 Feniton
Quarter-Final: Brixham AFC 4 – 2 Teignmouth
Semi-Final: Appledore 0 – 3 Brixham AFC (at Willand Rovers)
