NOT for the first time this season, Stuart Bowker’s introduction from the Bovey Tracey AFC bench changed the game as they won the St Luke’s Challenge Cup on Wednesday, May 6.

The experienced forward had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes when he netted the equaliser against Holsworthy AFC and then went on to score goals two and three at the Devon FA headquarters, Coach Road.

For Bovey manager Ben Gerring though, it was far from an ideal start as his side “failed to turn up at all.”

They went close through the likes of Cieran Bridger and Levi Landricombe but despite having the lion’s share of chances and possession, it was Holsworthy who took a lead going into half-time.

Owen Stockon had his pocket picked on the edge of the area and the ball was then played across for Ben Sharpe to sweep home after 15 minutes, leaving goalkeeper Dom Aplin with no chance.

Down the right flank, Jack Brimming caused constant headaches for those trying to mark him and a couple of Holsworthy players were even booked for their troubles, but a first-half equaliser still eluded Bovey.

Looking to flip the script, Gerring made one change at the turnaround and another shortly after.

Having such a strong bench “is the difference” in a lot of games, Gerring adding: “I’m really proud of the whole squad. I had to make some tough changes but the game needed it and the team needed it.”

Harvey Coggins replaced Lewis Perring first and then Stuart Bowker entered the field of play, taking the place in the XI of Cal Leech.

Bowker’s impact was instant as he rounded off a superb team move.

Bridger linked up well with captain Cliff Walters who in turn found Josh Webber in space. The dangerous winger’s cross was met at the back post by Landricombe who headed back across to where his strike partner was waiting to pounce.

It is often said that the most dangerous time in football is right after scoring a goal and that nearly proved true, Aplin making an outstanding stop to deny Holsworthy from a set-piece.

Landricombe came close once more before he was then subbed off, making way for Ollie Aplin whilst Alex Gray was sent on for Louie Roberts.

Another free-kick was headed across the box and with everyone behind the goal willing Bowker to hit it first time, he instead rolled the ball onto his stronger left foot and picked out the bottom corner with perfect precision.

All those in the red of Bovey ran over to the bench to celebrate their go-ahead goal and minutes later, Bowker completed his hat-trick with a goal eerily similar to his first, Brimming with the decisive assist this time.

The match-winner came very close to adding a fourth but not before Stockton had to make a pair of blocks in quick succession to keep Sharpe at bay at the other end.

There were a few late cards handed out, going to both teams, but for Bovey it was a necessary evil to help them over the line.

Gerring admitted that it “wasn’t the prettiest of performances” from his team but was over the moon to “deliver the St Luke’s Cup to Bovey for the first time in their history” all the same.

He also had plenty of praise for the hat-trick hero: “Stu will get the plaudits tonight and rightly so, I’m quite comfortable saying that he won us the cup.”

Bowker “came on and changed the game. He brought a tempo and a physicality to their backline that they just couldn’t deal with so I’m really pleased for him, I know he would have loved it in front of his local support and I’m glad he got to share that with his new baby boy as well.”

The man himself admitted to being “very disappointed not to be starting” but with his manager asking to be proved wrong, we saw exactly that.

He continued, “I scored the goals but we’re a great group all round. The boys have been brilliant all season and so a double is the least we deserved.”

Success in the St Luke’s Challenge Cup adds to their SW Peninsula League Premier East win and Gerring spoke of being “delighted”, adding, “It’s my first full year in management and I’ve come away having created history for Bovey, which is what we set out to do.”