Reports by Dennis Smith

• BRUNEL CUP FOURTH ROUND: Cornwall Girls U16s 0-9 Devon Girls U16s

IN this fourth leg match of the Brunel Cup series of matches between the two counties, Devon were virtually out of sight within the first 20 minutes.

Central striker and captain Ellie Sara (Bridgewater United)’s clinical finishing was rewarded with four goals giving Devon what seemed an unassailable half time advantage.

So it proved as, in the second half, Devon added a further five goals without reply, Sara notching a second hat-trick to make her overall tally seven. The extras were added by Ruby Clark (Fremington) and Eden Hurst (MAP).

Cornwall kicked off but it soon became apparent that the Devon girls had more strength down the spine of their team.

They went ahead in the third minute, Taya Pomfret (Plymouth Marjon) driving through the midfield to blast in a 20 yard strike which Evie Thomas in the Cornwall goal did well to push away. Unfortunately for her the ball landed at the feet of Sara, who made no mistake from 10 yards out. In the 10th minute Sara doubled Devon’s lead, her first attempt, a right foot shot from just inside the box, was well blocked by Thomas but she followed up to score with her left instead.

Cornwall started to get more into the game but found the Devon defence too well organised and it wasn’t long before Sara completed what proved to be her first hat-trick.

In the 18th minute Thomas mis-controlled a back-pass, and there was Sara to pounce and roll the ball into the empty net.

Three nil to Devon and a minute later it was four as Devon’s custodian Olivia Giles (Plymstock United) threw the ball out to Jessica Smith (MAP) on the left who played a wonderful long ball in behind the Cornwall defence for Sara who made no mistake.

Devon almost made it a nap hand in the 28th minute, a fierce drive from Hurst drawing a good save from Thomas.

Both teams had started to use the repeat substitute system and it appeared that Cornwall got stronger. In the 32nd minute they almost got a goal back Gracie Dixon forcing a great save from Giles.

Four minutes later Gracie Perrings broke through one on one with the onrushing Giles but lost control at the vital moment.

With two minutes to go before half-time Sara had a good chance to make it five but Thomas came out on top of the one on one and so the players went in at the brake with Devon leading 4- 0.

Cornwall made a number of changes at the interval, including changing the goalkeeper, Ellie Beesley coming in for Thomas.

All to no avail, however, as within two minutes of the restart Devon had added two more goals to the tally, Sara scoring her fifth before Eden Hurst joined in with a rasping 30 yard shot into the top corner.

Cornwall had no real answer and by the hour mark Devon had amassed nine goals without response, Sara adding two more to her tally and Clark completing the scoring with a deft volley from a Hurst cross.

During the last 20 minutes Cornwall strove hard to get something from the game but were denied on three occasions by brilliant saves by Giles who seemed determined to keep a clean sheet.

• BRUNEL CUP FIFTH ROUND: Cornwall Girls U18s 1-2 Devon Girls U18s

IN a game of few chances, Devon just edged this fifth leg match of the Brunel Cup series of matches between the two counties played immediately following the under-16s match.

Cornwall were on the offensive straight from the kick-off but were unable to break through Devon’s well organised back line.

Devon drew first blood, however, Tiana Campbell (Plymouth Argyle) breaking down the left side and lashing home from outside the box to give her team a fourth-minute lead.

In the eighth minute Cornwall almost drew level, a long range strike from Millie Buist drawing a good save from Ellie Mitchell (Bridgewater United) in goal for Devon.

There was good quality on show as both teams passed the ball with confidence in what was becoming a difficult afternoon as the weather closed in.

In the 17th minute Devon almost doubled their advantage – Lilly Burton (Exeter City), put through by Ellie Bishop (Torquay United), bringing a good save out of the Cornwall custodian, Freya Speer at the cost of a corner, which came to naught.

Two minutes later it was Burton again being denied by Speer, who was by far the busier of the two keepers.

In the 27th minute Devon went further ahead as a pinpoint corner from Rosie Train (Plymouth Argyle) found Ellen Dixon (Bridgewater United) at the near post to head home.

Two nil to Devon who were looking comfortable although both sets of players were showing plenty of commitment with some crunching tackles. Some terrific defending by both teams ensured that there was no further scoring before half-time.

Both teams made a number of substitutions at the start of the second half but it was Cornwall who settled first.

In the 51st minute they halved the deficit, Beth Ireland bursting through to score a fantastic individual goal.

From the restart Devon went straight on the attack and were unlucky not to restore their two-goal advantage, Taylor Ford (Plymouth Argyle) striking just wide from the left side of the box.

As the temperature cooled and the rain got heavier both teams were pressing well in midfield and few chances were being created.

Devon had a good opportunity in the 64th minute, Lexie Watts (Bridgewater United) hitting the bar with a long range effort. Two minutes later it was Cornwall’s turn, Katie Barriball firing just wide from the edge of the box.

There were two more opportunities as the rain came down, one for each team. In the 71st minute Isla Bromhead (MAP) for Devon got on the end of a cross from Ford, but her effort was well saved.

Cornwall had a good chance to level when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box, Emily Creach seeing her shot easily dealt with by Mitchell.

The final whistle came with Devon leading by two goals to one and thus going ahead for the first time in the competition.

► The sixth and final match of the series between the two counties’ men’s teams is due to take place at St Blazey on May 11 at (7.30pm).