BELLI CUP SEMI-FINAL

Newton Abbot Spurs reserves 1 Lakeside Athletic 5

NEWTON Abbot Spurs 2nd XI exited the Belli Cup at the semi-final stage with a whimper at the Rec on Saturday, May 9.

Aiden Blackie scored his customary goal in the blue of Spurs but the fixture was already well over by that point, visitors Lakeside Athletic notching three in the first half and adding two more after the break.

Lakeside enjoyed a lively start in the Newton Abbot sunshine and after fashioning a few solid chances, Dave Moore finishing well on 20 minutes.

A backheel in a dangerous area cost Spurs the second, J-Jay Honeywill taking advantage and slotting home for 2-0.

Spurs forward Deven Webb holding up the ball
Spurs forward Deven Webb holding up the ball (Jamie Rooke)

Home goalkeeper Taylor Breslan got down oh so well to deny a pair of shots at the near post, keeping his side in the game in the process.

There was nothing he could do about the third goal though. With the break drawing closer, Spurs had their best opportunity of the game but after failing to convert at one end, they were then conceding at the other just seconds later, Adam Carter converting.

Despite an impassioned team talk for Spurs, the second half started in a similar vain to the first with Lakeside making it 4-0. Great work down the right flank from an attacking duo paved the way for Honeywill to power home another.

Substitute Kye Drinkwater looked to have been fouled on the halfway line but the referee waved play on and Lakeside rubbed salt into the Spurs wounds, a deflected effort taking it to five unanswered goals.

Spurs Kye Drinkwater on the ball
Spurs Kye Drinkwater on the ball (Jamie Rooke)

Breslan made another few commanding stops to keep the score down and at the other end, Blackie kept going and finally grasped a goal to show for it. A weak header back to the Lakeside goalkeeper was pounced upon by the Spurs man and he was able to poke the ball over the line.

A good block denied Blackie a second but they were very much in consolation territory at this point anyway and with a final blow of the referee’s whistle, Spurs’ Belli Cup campaign drew to a close.

Spurs goal scorer Aiden Blackie wins the header
Spurs goal scorer Aiden Blackie wins the header (Jamie Rooke)

Spurs return to league action on Saturday (May 16) as they visit East Allington United and Poole Lane before they will look to get revenge against Lakeside on the final day, welcoming them to The Rec once more (Weds 20).

For Lakeside, they have two trips to Plainmoor on the horizon. First they take on Paignton Saints in the Herald Cup final (Fri 15) and then they will have an all-Plymouth clash with the victor hoisting the Belli Cup aloft.