Chagford paired the Okehampton Cup in their trophy cabinet with the Dartmouth Cup, recently won in another close fought final. Both teams were evenly matched, although Chagford had the clearer chances, as they attacked up the slope of the Okehampton pitch. Rew Davis, Porky Ralph and Robin Crowther-Smith all hammered in shots that deserved goals. It was the wing play of Robin's brother Christian and Davis that did most to open up an experienced Heavitree defence and creat further chances. When the Heavies did get through a fairly solid Chagford line, they found man of the match Dan Harvey capable of dealing with anything that came his way. The first goal of the game came early in the second half. Ex-Okehampton player Warwick Botham chipped in a superbly flighted free-kick and Miller rose above his marker and the keeper to nod the ball home. The lead was to last a mere eight minutes, as the goal seemed to spur Heavitree to more endeavour. With the Chagford defence for once looking uncomfortable, the ball was crossed low and hard and Gary Mortimore could only hook into his own net as he attempted to clear. For much of the remaining 30 minutes legs began to tire and the possibility of extra-time loomed. Heavitree looked the livelier of the two teams, as Chagford's busy end-of-season schedule took its toll. Harvey again came to the rescue with a show of excellent goalkeeping, before Euan Stone was sent on to replace Tolen, with the instruction to get a goal – and it was the young Scots' fortune to do just that. Five minutes from time, Christian Crowther-Smith dragged up a last reserve of energy to burst down the left flank and fire in a driven ball. With his back to goal, Stone somehow contrived to flick the ball over a flailing keeper and turned to see it nestling in the net. Chagford closed their season on a high that was tempered by the news that manager Dick Marsh intends to stand down. Marsh has done much to draw together a successful, tightly-knit squad that has, in turn, put silverware on the shelf.
