The Royal Navy’s good run in the South West Counties Cup came to an end on a blustery night in Plymouth against Devon.

After flooding in North Devon the fixture was moved to HMS Drake after a request from the Devon FA, and thanks were extended by the executive to the staff in the Naval base for their excellent work in providing the pitch and facilities for the match.

A much-changed Naval side were slow to start against their eager and well-motivated opponents, with Densham and Blurton posing a number of problems for Capt Terry Price RM (CTCRM), CPOPT Steve Riley (HMS Neptune) and AEM Lee Craddock (HMS Raleigh), the back three in the sailors’ defence.

Steve Hill from the Willand Club had two good opportunities to open the scoring in the first 15 minutes but wasted the chances as Devon dominated proceedings.

It was 20 minutes before a meaningful Naval attack, with OM Mickey Preston (HMS Newcastle), CAEA Nigel Thwaites (HMS Seahawk) and MEM Foxy Foxhall (HMS Sultan) combining well only for Thwaites’s shot to drift wide.

Despite an increase in tempo from the sailors it was Devon who took the lead on 40 minutes after a mistake in defence. Blurton broke clear and was tripped by Riley to concede a penalty. The downed Devonian got to his feet to plant the spot kick firmly past OM Jamie McGall (HMS Newcastle) in goal.

A stern half-time team talk from manager CPO Neil Frame brought the sailors out in a more determined manner, and they totally dominated the first 25 minutes of the second half.

Barnstaple goalkeeper John Vaughan was forced into three good saves from headers by Lee Craddock (HMS Raleigh), Riley and Price, with Craddock also hitting the bar and post with headers from corners as the pressure was maintained.

Devon weathered the storm and started to threaten again, with McGall making a good save from Blurton after a swift counter-attack.

Frame introduced CCWEA Steve Johnson (HMS Collingwood) for a record 220th Naval cap, and in the last ten minutes it was all Navy as they pushed forward for an equaliser, again forcing Vaughan into action.

The final two minutes almost saw goals at either end, with McGall making another good save and from the break Richie Hope shaving a Devon post with the final shot of the match.

Manager Neil Frame said the team were obviously disappointed but would still press for a win in the final group game away to Guernsey before concentrating on the Inter-Services matches.

Teams:
RN (3-5-2): McGall, Craddock, Price, Riley, Weatherall (AFCO Portsmouth)(Johnson 80), Lister (HMS Collingwood), Carr (JSU Northwood), Hope (RM Stonehouse), Preston (HMS Newcastle)(Allen (HMS Sultan) 55), Foxhall (Beverley (AFCO Portsmouth) 75), Thwaites. Sub not used: Stephens (HMS Drake).

Devon FA (4-4-2): Vaughan, Thomas (Hunt 80), Gardner, Hill, Bowrah, Heath, Rowland, Cochrane, Curtis, Blurton, Densham. Subs not used: Rock and Howe.