Torridge Cup semi-final at Torrington AFC

Holsworthy 3 North Molton 2

HOLSWORTHY reached a third successive Torridge Cup final after seeing off North Molton 3-2 at Torrington on Thursday evening.

The Magpies had won one and lost one of their two recent finals and started as favourites against their North Devon opponents.

Holsworthy had only played 48 hours earlier at Bodmin Town in SWPL Premier West, but boss Ryan Hall named a strong side with three changes as right-back Jamie Ball and attackers Gavin Carter and Sam Jago were given recalls.

North Molton play in the Devon Football League, one tier below the Magpies, and they fell behind 12 minutes in when Ryan Buckland’s superb corner from the left was met by Jack Tribble who headed home from eight yards.

However within two minutes it was all square as Josh Stoneman turned following a throw-in before beating Ryan Chadwick from 12 yards.

The Stags were now buoyant and had a shot go just wide, before Holsworthy went close themselves through Buckland.

North Molton were arguably the better side in the opening 45 and on the half-hour saw a header planted across the crossbar.

However the second half saw Holsworthy start well with good combination play ending with Jago shooting at the keeper.

But on 56 minutes it was the Stags that went back in front with a superb goal.

Todd Peschke was caught in possession 30 yards from his own area and James Giffard hit a shot that went in off the underside of the bar, giving Chadwick no chance.

But like the first-half, the Magpies responded within a minute. Haxell received the ball on the right side, played the ball down the line to Jago whose low cross along the six-yard line went in off a defender.

It was then one-way traffic in Holsworthy’s favour as they created numerous chances, although the Stags defended superbly.

However the winner arrived in the 87th minute as Carter’s cross from the left reached Haxell who set up Tribble to knock it in from close range.

To North Molton’s credit they created one more chance as a shot from 20 yards narrowly curled past the post.

However, Holsworthy held on to set up a final with Torrington on their own ground on Thursday, May 2 (7.30pm).

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Jamie Ball, Todd Peschke, Jedd Peschke (capt), Cory Sargent; Ryan Buckland, Jack Tribble, Toby Martyn; Gavin Carter, Sam Jago, Lewis Haxell. Subs: Aidan Slade, Will Harris, Jacob Nosworthy.

Holsworthy man of the match: Jack Tribble/Lewis Haxell.