Men's 1st XI Vs University Of Exeter F

Caradon Men’s 1st XI went into the weekend six points ahead of second place Exeter Uni knowing a win would secure the title and a loss could could cost them the season. 

In true Cornish fashion the weather made the conditions tricky. The game started just how Caradon wanted, the university team camped deep in their own half, this however was not to last, a break away attempt saw Exeter take the lead after only a few minutes leaving the home team with a lot of work to do. 

The well drilled Exeter defence frustrated the Caradon offensive line, wave after wave of attack was broken in the last quarter. But then a chance, Luke Jeffery beating his man for pace, driving along the base line, his pass skidded across the D finding Ben Hedley at the back post, taking a touch Ben positioned himself and released a flick beating the scrambling keeper. A defender however took on the roll of the goal keeper, stretching out his arm and parrying the ball with his hand from the goal mouth. The umpires pointed to the spot for a penalty flick, David Fasey stepped up to mark as the team looked on from the half way line, in flamboyant style he unleashed a flick to the top left corner, the keeper barely able to react, the net rippling as David wheeled away celebrating. 

The half time whistle blew, each team with a goal to their name. Caradon talked tactics and how to change their approach to unsettle the travelling team. Heading back to the pitch Caradon knew what they had to do. Leon Farrow and Tyler Walsh took control of the midfield every 50/50 ball was battled for, but despite the team best efforts the Exeter defence stood strong. Caradon increased the pressure by pressing higher up the pitch, this left the backs exposed but some magical defending from Man of the Match Nathan Jeffery stopped them in their tracks. 

Cracks started to form in the Exeter defence, bickering amongst their players saw Caradon grow in confidence. Finn Andrews beat his man and drove into the D, a second defender managed to knock the ball away from him into the path of Chris Fasey, who smashed the ball like a rocket, past the approaching defenders, the ball ricocheted off both uprights before settling in the back of the net. Exeter visibly sank, behind for the first time in the game against an unbeaten Caradon team. 

Exeter were given no time to gather themselves with Caradon bearing down on the flustered away team. Tyler finding a defenders foot in the D gave Caradon a short corner. The team set in anticipation, Neil Spencer release the ball, as the defenders charged out from the goal line to the top of the D, but it was a deception, the ball was pulled short to Chris Fasey, taking a touch Chris lined up the back post and slapped the ball into the path of Luke Jeffery at the back post, but a defender got his stick down first, taking an unlucky touch and deflected past his keeper. Caradon were not done with a 2 goal lead and wanted to press home their dominance on the season. 

A solo attempt from Tyler Walsh saw him beat two players, showing them the inside before switching, peeling round on to his strong side and placing the ball past the keeper at the near post. 

Caradon finished the day4-1 winners, 9 points clear at the top of the table and unbeaten in 21 games.