Men's 1st XI Vs University of Exeter B [League] 

Opening day delight for determined Duchy

The Men’s 1st XI got their 2018/19 campaign underway with a hard earned 1-0 victory to claim all 3 points at home to University of Exeter B.

Supporters were entertained with an open first half and glorious sun shine at Pool School in which they saw Duchy take the lead into half time. When chances had been at a premium for both sides Richard Swann slotted home with a clinical finish to put Duchy ahead. With the Exeter students pilling on the pressure in the second half a dogged defensive display saw Duchy shut out the university side to claim the clean sheet and all 3 points.

The game opened well with both teams looking strong and full of running. Early Duchy pressure was answered strongly by Exeter B who looked to work the ball in wide areas. The Duchy front line worked effectively in tandem with the rotating midfield of Stu Barbery, Tom Blewett, Max Chippett, Andrew West, Phill Fordham and Piers “Star Player” Benton forcing the students into traffic out wide and minimising chances and time in and around the Duchy D. Some good passing plays involving great supporting play by Tom Probst and Tom Marmoy on either flank saw Duchy regain their balance going forward and put pressure on the Uni back line as half time approached. With Alfie Budge and Blewett pushing on and pressing the Uni back line they forced a turnover in the Exeter 23 from which the ball was fed to Ben Flint who broke into their D and, with great vision, picked out an unmarked Richard Swann for a 1 on 1 with the ‘keeper and, with trade mark composure, Swann lifted the ball over the advancing goalie to give Duchy the lead. With the students looking to level before the interval they gained a short corner just before the whistle. The final action saw Tobias Walker confidently turn away a flick destined for the top corner.

The second half saw the students pile the pressure on Duchy but with Tobias marshalling the orange shirts in front Ben Moran and Jason Farrar stepped forward to shut down the students’ advances with some solid tackling. With the Duchy forwards continuing to work hard to shut down the passing channels and the midfield tracking the green and white runner’s, effective use of the bench was required and duly supplied. This enabled the experienced legs of Duchy to keep pace with the younger opposition and allowed Duchy to exploit gaps on the counter attack through the hard running of Virgis Sedvydis. During these counters Duchy looked threatening and Alex Roberts was denied a deserved goal by two goal line clearances. With the clock running down and the second goal proving elusive for Duchy, Exeter kept pressing for the equaliser and forced the home side to dig deep. With the number of short corners racking up for the away side, tension on the side line was growing but Duchy stood resolute to shut their opposition out to secure a victorious start to the season.

Man of the Match was awarded to Tom Marmoy

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Duchy | Richard Swann 12f

Uni. of Exeter B |