2pm 20 October 2013
Torridge Cup, Preliminary Round
Dolton Rangers 1 Holsworthy 3 (att 39)
The Torridge Cup is one of the more prestigious of the independently-run local cup competitions for clubs in north Devon, and for the groundhopper it's a very useful source of extra matches on Sundays.
Dolton Rangers play in the top division of the North Devon League, which in theory is only one level below Holsworthy, who are in the South West Peninsula League. In reality though there's a large gulf between the two, but a small, uneven and sloping village pitch isn't the sort of surface Holsworthy are used to, and they had to work hard for their win.
Dolton started the game brightly, but after 15 minutes a defensive error gifted Holsworthy the lead. Not long later it was 2-0, and a goalmouth scramble following a corner.
I assumed Holsworthy would add a few more goals for an easy win, but Dolton kept battling, coming close themselves on more than occasion. Holsworthy's third goal, early in second half, effectively ended the contest, but Dolton deserved a goal and their late consolation was the game's best, a long range shot from close to the centre circle.
There are some lovely village football grounds hidden in north Devon, and Dolton's home is one of them. The tightly-enclosed pitch has dugouts and a pavilion, housing changing rooms and a tea bar, and with a covered standing area at the front, on one side, and a tiny seated stand, next to a park bench, opposite.
All in all great afternoon out, and well worth the 500 mile round trip.
Torridge Cup, Preliminary Round
Dolton Rangers 1 Holsworthy 3 (att 39)
The Torridge Cup is one of the more prestigious of the independently-run local cup competitions for clubs in north Devon, and for the groundhopper it's a very useful source of extra matches on Sundays.
Dolton Rangers play in the top division of the North Devon League, which in theory is only one level below Holsworthy, who are in the South West Peninsula League. In reality though there's a large gulf between the two, but a small, uneven and sloping village pitch isn't the sort of surface Holsworthy are used to, and they had to work hard for their win.
Dolton started the game brightly, but after 15 minutes a defensive error gifted Holsworthy the lead. Not long later it was 2-0, and a goalmouth scramble following a corner.
I assumed Holsworthy would add a few more goals for an easy win, but Dolton kept battling, coming close themselves on more than occasion. Holsworthy's third goal, early in second half, effectively ended the contest, but Dolton deserved a goal and their late consolation was the game's best, a long range shot from close to the centre circle.
There are some lovely village football grounds hidden in north Devon, and Dolton's home is one of them. The tightly-enclosed pitch has dugouts and a pavilion, housing changing rooms and a tea bar, and with a covered standing area at the front, on one side, and a tiny seated stand, next to a park bench, opposite.
All in all great afternoon out, and well worth the 500 mile round trip.
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