Makeshift Newton Abbot Spurs side exit league cup

NEWTON Abbot Spurs’ Walter C Parson League Cup campaign drew to a close on Saturday, October 17, when they fell to defeat at The Rec.

Cornish visitors Penzance AFC won the second round tie by a single strike but on another day, there could have been more goals at either end.

The victors were missing some key players and the same goes for Spurs. Manager Matt Hayden and midfielder Jordan Hogan were away whilst forward duo Jesse Howe and Dev Webb are both sidelined with suspensions.

After a frantic start to the match, Penzance settled the better of the teams and they had a goal to show for it after 10 minutes.

Tyler Yendle’s miscued clearance squandered possession and Charlie Willis’ resulting shot was spilled by Harry Meaden into the path of Jahmali Prowse who headed home.

Energised by the go-ahead goal, the Magpies surged on and fashioned a few half chances, even striking the woodwork.

Back roared Spurs though as they set up camp in the Penzance half, forcing their guests to commit foul after foul.

Despite earning several set-pieces in quick succession, Spurs were unable to really trouble Harry Salmon in goal.

Shortly before the break, Penzance had a second rebound attempt from close range but unlike the earlier one, they couldn’t quite keep it on target.

At the start of the second half, Spurs enjoyed another bright spell but it was a lack of chance creation that proved to be their pitfall.

Penzance perhaps should have doubled their lead as Jack Goodall had his pocket picked after an attempted ball-roll in a dangerous area but Meaden stood up well to bail out his centre-back.

Goodall’s next contribution was a positive one and at the right end, heading a curling corner narrowly wide of the upright.

Having already made two of their three changes available, Spurs’ temporary coaching trio had their hand forced with the final one when Lewie Rendle was down clutching his knee.

Going on in his place was Keaton Hughes and it’s worth noting that he and his two fellow substitutes are all members of the club’s U18 team.

Brodie Reddish was another to enter from the bench, replacing debutant Tom Amado, and he kept Penzance honest with his tireless running in behind.

Shortly after captain Will Hancox sent a snapshot just off target, the host’s best chance of the game fell to the aforementioned Hughes.

Jaden Bond played Hancox to the byline and he pulled it back into space with Hughes running onto it and firing it painstakingly close.

As added time approached, the red mist descended with young Hughes flying off of his feet and clattering a helpless Penzance player.

They may have huffed and puffed but Spurs were unable to break Penzance’s resolve to force a penalty shootout.

Whilst the defeat was “disappointing overall” for Hancox, “There are positives to take from the second half in particular.”

He continued: “That’s probably some of the best football we’ve played for a while, in spells anyway.”

Hancox wanted to give “Credit to the young lads for stepping up and giving it their all” and labelled it as a “week-to-week challenge” when “a lot of different players are coming in and out all the time.”

Overall, “We’re not even halfway through the season and we’ve got to focus on the positives. Once we’ve got our injured and suspended players back, we’ll start to see more of a spine and more consistency.”

Next up for Spurs, they return to SW Peninsula League action when they host Ilminster Town on Saturday, October 24.

Meanwhile, Penzance’s reward for this victory is a third round tie at home against Torrington AFC.