Thrilling cup finals are real crowd pleasers

THERE was a little bit of everything for fans to savour in the Journal League's four cup finals.

Last-minute winners, spectacular strikes, extra-time efforts and even the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

Perhaps the biggest surprise across all four games was the one-sided scoreline from the Brayford Cup final at Marlborough Park.

Braunton's deadly finishing secured an emphatic 5-0 win over Appledore despite the losing side probably seeing more of the ball.

Possession is one thing but it's what you do with it that counts, and the Fishermen were rocked by goals from Graham Green (two), Ryan Dempsey, Mark Sanders and Dean Wall.

Led by skipper Scott Maynard, Braunton were determined to keep a clean sheet and, when called upon, goalkeeper Jon Higgs stood strong to deny Matt Bolton an early equaliser.

Green struck twice at corners and a trademark header from Dempsey meant the contest was virtually over by half-time.

Earlier in the competition, veteran striker Sanders marked his return from a knee injury with two goals in the first-round win over North Molton.

The holders may have lost their grip on the trophy, but they produced one of the season's most eye-catching results in their run to the final.

Boca Seniors were smashed 6-1 at Marshford with Sam Grimley, Chris Brown, Nick Fishwick, Shaun Copp, Steve Skinner and Ben Boswell inflicting the champions' biggest defeat for seven seasons.

In the Combe Martin Cup final, Ross McNicholas curled a late winner against Braunton, giving Torrington the first part of their memorable double.

They reached a second consecutive final in free-scoring style after a double from Danny Jenkins got them through a tough opening round against Shebbear United.

Big wins over South Molton and Shamwickshire followed before the season-long rivalry with Braunton was renewed at Hollands Park.

Paul Gumbley powerfully headed Torrie ahead before Matt Hunt drilled low to equalise before half-time.

As the holders pressed forward in the second half, the long-range shot from McNicholas was reward for their growing pressure.

For real late drama though, the place to be was the Sports Ground for the Arlington Cup final between Torrington Admirals and Woolsery.

Admirals appeared to be defending comfortably for a 1-0 win when Woolsery's Nick Glover struck out of the blue to take the tie to extra-time. He cut in from the right wing, curling an unsavable shot into the top corner from the angle of the box.

But Admirals regrouped to win 3-1 as powerful front pair Adrian Sealey and Marc Bettiss claimed the goals.

Sealey earlier slammed his side in front after linking with Bettiss to crash a shot into the roof of the net.

With skipper Phill Heard and the experienced Gary Hill at the heart of their defence, the Donnacroft side stood firm.

After beating Landkey in the semi-finals and coming through an epic first-round match against North Molton 5-4, they were worthy winners.

At one stage in the windswept first round they trailed 3-1, before spectacular goals from Ian Jones and Sam Pett, and a winner from Sealey, turned the tables.

Bettiss hit the extra-time clincher in the last four against Landkey, while Woolsery's youngsters showed their potential, beating Bude Town with goals from Matt Lewis, Glover and Jamie Robertson.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the cup finals was the attendances.

All four games were well supported and the North Devon Journal Cup in particular caught the imagination with more than 200 fans watching Ilfracombe Town take on Putford.

Combe clinched a tight tie on penalties when goalkeeper Adam Braund denied Rob Sluggett for a 5-4 shoot-out win at Vicarage Field.

Carl Power — enjoying a fine season on his return from long-term injury — headed Jon Harper's team into a first-half lead.

But Putford showed typical tenacity to scramble an equaliser through Dan Wilson. The standard of the penalties was outstanding with Power, Kenny Robertson, Jordan Alcock, Jamie Larvin and Sam Brown all on target for Combe.

Having hit back from 3-0 down against Torridgeside in the semi-final, Ilfracombe must have felt their name was on the cup.

Despite the disappointment, it was a season of progress for Putford who enjoyed some great moments en route to the final.

They came through a first-round test against North Molton when Rob Slee struck a late equaliser and dad John converted the shoot-out winner.

And in the semi-finals, Dan Wilson and Olly Robinson earned a 2-1 win against a Lynton side that had previously beaten them 6-0 in the league.