Post by Dave on Jul 9, 2022 9:20:16 GMT
Match Official Dave Corderoy
Final Score Paignton Saints 5 Devonport Lugger FC 2
So the build-up to the new season begins for Paignton Saints and Devonport Lugger FC as they face each other in a preseason friendly played at Coach Road Newton Abbot.
While preseason games are never an indicator of the season ahead, it does give teams the chance to try out new formations and bed in any new players. A chance to learn the strengths and weaknesses of the team and also help get the fitness levels up to where they need to be.
The Saints will be playing in the Southwest Division of the Devon League again this season and will hope to greatly improve on last seasons results. They finished in 10th place last season after winning five of the twenty league games they played. They drew one and lost fourteen and ended up with a minus forty goal difference.
I do not have a lot of information about Devonport Lugger FC, other than they are a newly formed club that will be playing in the Plymouth and West Devon Football League ( Saturday) this season. I watched a video of their presentation evening held last month, (never seen so many trophies given out) but not sure what league they played in last season. Their top goal scorer banged in 52 goals and they all looked like a great bunch of lads.
Its going to be hot today so plenty of drink breaks will be required, it should be an enjoyable game I am expecting plenty of goals.
An update on what I wrote this morning, Devonport Lugger FC are the re branded Devonport FC who played in the 2nd division of the Plymouth and West Devon Football League last season. The club finished 2nd in the league table after winning 13 of the 18 games they played, drawing 3 and losing just 2 matches. They also ended up with a plus 90 goal difference.
Match report
I would like to thank both the chairman of Paignton saints and the Lugger manager for taking the time to write out the names of the players taking part along with the correct shirt numbers.
Make no mistake it was a very hot afternoon to play a game of football, but both teams put in so much effort to provide a very entertaining game, one of the best pre season games I have ever covered. I was very impressed with the Saints performance, if they play like that when the real season gets underway, they will be challenging at the top.
Devonport Lugger are a decent side, plenty of good lads and a number of skilful players, but as their manager pointed out to them at the end of the game, they need to accept decisions and keep their discipline better.
A much shorter haired than I remember Dave Corderoy blew his whistle and got the game underway. The first attempt on goal fell to Saints AJ Tenrant (hope spelling is correct.) He got his head on a ball played into the Lugger box from the right hand side, but had to stand and watch as his effort flew over the crossbar.
The Lugger defence were struggling to deal with the pace and movement of the Saints forward line and it was no real surprise to see the Saint side take and early lead in the match. A delightful through ball played Ben Clarke into the Lugger box and he coolly passed the ball past the keeper into the back of the net.
The Saints quickly doubled their lead when Jamie Mickelwright was played into the box. As soon as the ball arrived at his feet you knew he would put the chance away that is why he is the special player he is.
The goal woke up the Lugger lads as they went in search of a goal of their own, their last seasons top scorer Tommy White got on the end of the ball that had been fired over the Saints defence and cleverly lifted the ball over Aflie White who was in goal for the Saints and into the back of the net.
Jamie Mickelwright was in the Lugger box again and as he went to shoot I would have put money on the ball bursting the back of the net, but his effort flew over the crossbar and still might not have landed yet.
Dave blew up for a much needed drinks break and the Luggers were back in the match. They very soon drew level when Tommy White hit a power driver volley into the roof of the net, a great finish and a goal worthy of wining any match.
The Saints retook the lead after a wonderful run by the very impressive Josh Pagett. He picked the ball up on the halfway line and went past players as if they were not there. He got into the box but just as he was about to shoot Luggers number 17 ( not named on the piece of paper I have) made the most incredible tackle. The ball was cleared to just outside the box but fired back in to Jamie Mickelwright. He drew Anson Sword who was in goal for the Luggers to the left hand post before passing the ball past him for Jake White to fire home.
Luggers discipline went out of the window when Saints Josh Pagett went on another amazing run and was hacked down on the edge of the Lugger box. It resulted in some pushing and shoving that resulted in Luggers Glyn ? ( no surname) and Anson Sword having their names taken.
It was no surprise when Jamie Mickelwright put the ball down to take the free kick, a wonderful effort that flew over the ball and just inside the right hand post,
That was it for the first half with the Saints winning by four goals to two, time for the players to get some much needed fluid back on board.
There was not so much to report in the second half, Saints got their fifth goal shortly after the break when a ball was played into the Lugger box from the right hand side and hit first time by Conner Stewart.
Luggers danger man Tommy White who had come off after he scored his two first half goals rejoined the match. He scored 52 goals last season and it might well have been over 60 if he had not received a number of read cards. He was caught offside and shouted some abuse towards the linesman, not sure what he said after that but he ended up being shown a yellow card.
One final effort from Saints Conner Steward from the edge of the box flew over the crossbar. The match referee blew up for the end of the match.
Two great sets of lads and a pleasure to meet and talk with some of you. Sun far to bright to take the photos I like, but that is the challenge of photography.
