9th May 2009
Pinhoe Spears 2 v 1 Central United
Goals: Jamie Vaughan-Ryall x2

A fantastic display from the first whistle saw Spartans dominate the match. Their passing struggled a little in the long grass and heavy cuttings strewn on the field but nevertheless they persevered.

Despite numerous chances they were denied by good defending and steady goalkeeping until Simon Priddle set up Jamie Vaughan-Ryall who shot into the roof of the net. A second followed in superb style, Cody Cox threw in long to Simon Priddle, he held the ball up with back to goal then laid it into the path of Vaughan-Ryall who skipped past the last man and slotted home his second.

To be honest, any time United looked threatening Nathan Smeath was there to break it up. He was awesome, covered huge distances, tackled fiercely and relentlessly and passed the ball intelligently. It is ironic that United scored a consolation goal when he miss-passed the ball, it was latched onto by Nathan Townsend and he smashed his shot into the top corner from 15 yards.

A very even, hard fought contest between two good sides and lots of talented players on display. Both sides looked dangerous in the early exchanges, although both defences were pretty much on top.

City took the lead when a corner was missed by two Spears players, it bobbled past the keeper and was tapped in at the far post. After all the quality it was a poor goal really. Things did not change with good football and pressure both ends, Connor Radford in Spears goal had his hands stung from long range and he did well to keep the ball out. Finally Spears got back on level terms when Simon Priddle slid a pass through to Jamie Vaughan-Ryall to fire home with his left foot.

The second half continued in the same manner with Spears actually taking the initiative although their attacks were repelled again and again by the City centre half who was outstanding. City grabbed a second with a determined run from the centre forward who crashed through two tackles and fired low into the left corner. Both sides kept pressing and the Priddle Vaughan-Ryall partnership showed it class again and again without real return, in the main due to good defending and touch of fortune.

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25th April 2009
Pinhoe Spears 3 v 1 Crediton Saints
Goals: Harrison Taylor, Simon Priddle x2

A fantastic game of football between two good sides trying to play the right way. There was some real talent on display on both sides and the big pitch enabled them to show their worth.

From a Pinhoe perspective the work rate was exceptional and we took the territorial advantage. Pressure eventually told with brilliant interplay between Cody Cox, Nathan Smeath and Jamie Vaughan-Ryall who was put in on goal. His shot was well saved but Harrison Taylor had run a long way to support and drove the rebound home. Just before half time a second goal came direct from a Simon Priddle corner and gave Spears some breathing space. Saints carved their own opportunities and it was magnificent tracking back and a last ditch tackle from Nathan Smeath that prevented the most obvious chance.

The second half continued in the same manner, with action all over the pitch. Finally Pinhoe managed to grab a third when Jamie Vaughan-Ryall slid the ball past the last defender for Priddle to run onto and ensure a composed finish.

Sometimes after a strong performance in Game 1 things can go downhill but not today; Spears were awesome. Harrison Taylor started in defence and showed exceptional quality in reading the game and distributing the ball. Hamish Edmond had been steady in the first game and looked even more assured here.

They took the lead when Cody Cox jinked past his marker a struck a left footer from 18 yards across the goal into the top corner. The second goal came in similar circumstances, but this time Jamie Vaughan-Ryall used his right foot and put it in the same corner from about the same place.

Much of the game was an even contest with honest endeavour being negated by sheer determination and teamwork on both sides, and it was not until mid way through the second half that a superb flowing move put Spears well and truly clear. It started from a throw by the keeper, was passed between three players and without an opponent touching it, Jamie Vaughan-Ryall again slid it to Simon Priddle who ran on and calmly slotted it home beyond the advancing keeper.

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28th March 2009
Pinhoe Spears 2 v 2 Sidmouth Viking Warriors
Goals: Joe Chandler, Jamie Vaughan-Ryall

Right from the start Pinhoe put Sidmouth under pressure and dominated the early exchanges. Cody Cox was unlucky not to open the scoring with two great strikes, the first just wide, the second on the turn was saved superbly. It was not all one way and Connor Radford was also called to make a fine save.

Pinhoe deservedly took the lead when Joe Chandler found himself one-on-one on the right wing, he beat his man on the outside a fired a low shot inside the far post. Sidmouth were resolute in defence and grabbed a break-away goal following a mix up in the Spears defence who learned the perils of indecision. So even at half time, but Sidmouth now had the advantage of slope and wind. They began to press more and took the lead from a throw in which founds its way to the centre forward six yards out. He chested it down and fired into the roof of the net on the turn.

From the off Spears looked as though they were on top of their game. The passing and interplay were superb and Raiders looked shell shocked. Jamie Vaughan-Ryall struck a fierce shot which was tipped onto the ball by the keeper, who performed heroics again shortly after to thwart Cody Cox.

The deadlock was finally broken by route one; a long punt from Connor Radford, one bounce and a piece of genius volley on the full turn by Simon Priddle. It was all Pinhoe, shots flying in from all over, and Priddle was unlucky not to grab his second after dinking it over the centre half and firing a volley just over the bar. He was certainly back to his best, assisting both Joe Chandler and Jamie Vaughan-Ryall to extend Spears lead at half time.

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7th March 2009
Pinhoe Spears 1 v 0 Honiton
Goals: Tom Crees

This was a very even, difficult game, not helped by a poor pitch. The defences of both teams had the upper hand throughout most of the match.

Spears did settle into a pattern of play which was pleasing to see, good passing and interplay, especially from the back where Hamish Edmond looked very assured. Some of the movement of the ball was as good as at anytime, although the team lacked punch in the last third. Some good chances were created but shots were rarely on target or had little power behind them.

Another tough, hard fought, battling game which deservedly ended in a draw. The first goalless affair Spears have been involved in.

Both teams did create chances, but the midfield battleground was overcrowded and defenders were not pressed too greatly. This was probably due to some extent to the long and narrow playing area, which neither side really used to good effect. Jamie Vaughan-Ryall and Nathan Smeath worked their socks off.

Connor Radford was again comfortable in goal, commanding his area to greater effect, and right at the end was required to dive full stretch to tip a shot around the post for a corner.

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21st February 2009
Pinhoe Spears 2 v 7 Twyford Celtic
Goals: Joe Chandler, Cody Cox

A depleted Spartans side looked very jaded and struggled to contain a well organised and talented Celtic. They held out in the first quarter but the further loss of Simon Priddle to ill health and an injury to Tom Crees really tested the squad who found themselves 3-0 down at half time. Harrison Taylor and Joe Chandler had worked hard on the flanks, but the midfield never really gave them much to work with going forward.

The second half saw a little spirit return but despite the brave efforts Celtic extended their lead with quality finishing. Spears continued to battle and a great pass from Cody Cox set Joe Chandler free on the right; his fierce shot made it 1-5. Regaining some confidence Spears pushed on and chances followed however it was the clinical nature of Celtics’ front two that caught the eye. Cody Cox capped a good performance with a goal towards the end although Celtic had the final word with another stunning strike.

Spears needed to lift themselves for the second match and with most players playing out of position they put on a fabulous show. The passing and interplay between them was excellent and although the finishing was a little lacking in composure it was nonetheless great to watch.

Nathan Smeath, a little under par due to illness, grabbed the opener with a smart volley on the turn. Cody Cox extended the lead with a penalty and fired home a second to make it 3-0 at half time.

The second half carried on in the same vein, every Spears player showing a desire to move the ball around freely. Tom Crees recovered enough for a cameo role and showed some good quality and Connor Radford showed he could take command of the goal area. It was the little things that were so pleasing, even though the goals did not flow as could have been expected.