Men's 2nd XI Vs O.P.M. [League]

Chippett Double Gives Duchy Opening Day Win

Newly-promoted Duchy A began life in Southern Div. 2 in the best possible fashion with a narrow victory over O.P.M. in Plymouth.

For the first quarter of the match Duchy looked like the proverbial rabbit-in-headlights, struggling to retain possession and looking nervous both on and off the ball. O.P.M. had several chances to open a lead, but several excellent saves from Kevin Welsh (later voted as Duchy's Man of the match) in goal, a goal-line clearance from James Coston, and a degree of wastefullness from the hosts; kept the match at 0-0.

As the game progressed Duchy grew in confidence and, ten minutes before the interval, took something of a surprise lead when Chris Pound fed a neat pass to Max Chippett who struck a powerful reverse stick effort in to the bottom corner from 15m out. The goal had a calming influence on the Cornish side, who consolidated their lead to go into the interval at 1-0 up. 

The second half started as the first had finished, with Duchy looking to protect their lead and threaten on the counter attack. Mid-way through the half the tactic brought dividends when debutat, Alex Manning, collected a clearing pass from Scott Barnardo and charged into the O.P.M. half, sweeping a shot at goal which could only be parried by the home 'keeper into the path of Chippett, who volleyed home for 2-0.

After Duchy's second goal, momentum inexorably swung toward the home side who dominated the final quarter and pinned Duchy into their half for long periods. After a sucession of chances had gone begging, O.P.M. eventually halved the arrears through the excellent Jake Abbott who smashed home from 10m and set up a nervy final eight minutes. Duchy managed the situation well, holding up the ball and running down the clock, and were further aided by a moment of frustration from an O.P.M. player who picked up a yellow card for dissent late on to give Duchy an extra man for the final three minutes.

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O.P.M. | 1 | Jake Abbott 62f

Duchy A | 2 | Max Chippett 24f, 49f