Wrey get first trophy

By mark jenkin mjenkin@c-dm.co.uk

HOT favourites Wrey Arms avoided an upset to claim their first silverware of an outstanding season.

Dave Loder's team beat Pilton Academicals 3-1 at Marlborough Park to lift the North Devon Journal Cup and continue their relentless winning run.

Goals from Jimmy Hill and brothers Dan and Simon Larcombe made it 24 consecutive victories in Journal League Intermediate Two competition this season.

After reaching April with a 100% record in league and cup, Wrey produced a typically dominant display.

But they had to graft to overcome plucky Pilton who defended in numbers to make a game of it.

Leading at half-time with a close-range effort from Hill, it was not until Dan Larcombe made it 2-0 with nine minutes left that the favourites could finally relax.

Tricky and tenacious, the Larcombes have led the goal charge for Wrey this term.

But the team's success has been built on the consistency of defensive three Marc Churchill, Steve Folland and Lee Capner.

They were rarely troubled by lone Pilton striker Sam Hommell who worked hard but was often isolated up front.

Defending well from open play for the first 30 minutes, the Accies will be disappointed to have conceded the first goal at a set-piece.

Wrey worked a short corner and although Dan Dayman's driven cross was blocked by Andy Keeble, Jimmy Hill rammed the ball into the roof of the net.

It could have been two before the break as Dan Larcombe raced on to a long pass from Dayman, lobbing on to the bar when Dave Holton charged from his goal.

With top scorer Gary Grant unavailable, Pilton's difficult task got tougher when Alex Boreham suffered a hamstring injury that forced him off soon after the restart.

Boreham, one of the stars of their surprise semi-final win at Putford, and fellow winger Dave Coggin were never allowed to influence the game as they did in the previous round.

Instead Wrey Arms, with Lee Holding influential in midfield, continued to carve out the chances.

Dayman was denied by a brave block from Holton and Simon Larcombe was also thwarted by the keeper before dragging another effort wide.

When Wrey goalkeeper Sam Tabbener was tested for the first time, beating away a 78th-minute volley from Martyn Mules, it was a warning to the favourites that the job still wasn't done.

Mules and Kevin Ten-Bokkel played well together in the heart of defence and it was not until the 81st minute that they conceded again.

Substitute Kirk Lace whipped in a cross from the right and Dan Larcombe swept it in from close range.

That seemed to signal the end of the action, yet two goals in stoppage-time provided a late twist.

As a last throw of the dice, Holton charged forward for Richard Stanbury's free-kick and while the big keeper did not get a touch on the ball, his presence caused mayhem, allowing Baz Yates to volley home.

The goal gave Mark Gammon's team brief hope but it was soon ended when sub Craig Smith set up Simon Larcombe to cap a man of the match display.

Pilton Academicals: Dave Holton, Simon Furse (Richard Stanbury 60), Kevin Ten-Bokkel, Martyn Mules, Andy Keeble, Alex Boreham (Matthew Dellar 57), Dave Coggin, Rob Tancock, Baz Yates, Lee Ellis (Dave Perryman 63), Sam Hommell. Subs not used: Gary Ellis, James Doble.

Wrey Arms: Sam Tabbener, Lee Capner, Marc Churchill, Steve Folland, Dan Dayman (Craig Smith 94), Russell Shaddick (Kirk Lace 70), Mike Knott, Lee Holding (Steve Ayre 93), James Hill, Dan Larcombe, Simon Larcombe. Subs not used: Kevin Weir, Gareth Drayton.

Referee: Wayne Harrison. Assistants: Gary Suggate, Peter Sercombe.