A SPOT in the final of the Devon Premier Cup is still in the minds of a pair of Teignbridge teams – with the first of two semi-finals set to go ahead tonight.

Buckland Athletic Reserves’ 2-0 quarter-final win against a fancied Topsham Town side set up a final four clash away at Holsworthy Reserves, who play in the Premier Division of the North Devon Football League.

And after seeing off tough opposition in the quarters, Bucks manager Marc Revell senses a great chance of capping a frustrating two years with some silverware.

‘I’m fairly confident going into the Holsworthy game, even though I’m effectively treating them as a Peninsula League side,’ he explained.

‘If we were to undo the big result against Topsham I’d be absolutely gutted. To do that and then end up not getting anything would hurt.

‘We’ve had the same core of players throughout the past two disjointed seasons, so to finish with a trophy would mean all has not been lost.

‘It would also reinvigorate a bit of interest – playing for the Devon Premier Cup winners is more of an attractive prospect for potential new players.’

A brace from Jacob Scotte-Hatherley was enough to send Buckland through in arguably the pick of the last eight ties.

With his side pitted against high quality opponents, Revell says deployed some of football’s dark arts to level the playing field.

He explained: ‘The only way to beat high-level opposition is to match their effort and hard work – while also winding them up a bit.

‘We had enough quality to stay in the game with them and they’ve ended up losing their heads a little bit.

‘Then it’s taken two moments of class from Jacob, who will almost certainly push for the first team next year.

‘He came back into the fray last season and he’s one of the first names on my team sheet. I’ve been telling Froudey [Paul Froude] and Gazey [Danny Gaze] that they need to take a look at him.

‘But the Mini Tournament disappointment definitely spurred us on. I told the lads before the game that for some of them it could have been their last game for Buckland.

‘For us to go out and perform like that as underdogs ­– on what would’ve been Roy Holmes’ birthday, too – was special.’

Taking a place in the other semi-final against Mount Gould will be Liverton United, who overcame a disastrous first half to beat Kentisbeare 5-4 in their quarter-final.

Livvy were 4-1 down at the turn against their Devon & Exeter Premier Division opponents, but a half-time dressing-down from manager John Fleet achieved the desired result.

‘I got into them a bit at half-time, to say the least,’ he said. ‘We weren’t bad going forward in the first half but defensively we were very poor. Two of their goals came from corners which just weren’t cleared.

‘But we’ve been a few goals down at the break in a few games over the past few years and come back from it. Once we got the first goal back, we believed again.

‘Their two wide lads were quick and the centre-forward was good, and maybe we were just a bit naïve. The lads showed great character, though.’

Fleet says he sees his side’s semi-final opponents as favourites ahead of their clash at the Halford Ground next Wednesday (6.30pm).

Plymouth-based Mount Gould lifted last season’s Premier Cup after beating Bampton 10-9 on penalties at Coach Road.

‘Funnily enough, they approached us to play a friendly before we started playing again properly,’ said Fleet.

‘We were 2-0 up at half-time and maybe should’ve been further ahead, but we made lots of changes and ended up losing 3-2.

‘They’re probably favourites as trophy holders, but not having to travel to Plymouth on a Wednesday evening is a big advantage for us.

‘I would guess that Buckland, in the form they’re in, would be favourites for their game at Holsworthy. It would be nice to play them in the final – and a great advert for football in this area.’