Lightning needed to win this game to secure second spot and runners up medals and despite starting well with several shots on goal in the first 5 minutes they crashed out 4-0 to finish in 3rd spot like last season. It was a poor display all round with only Jimmy Hinds and Jame Sharman putting in anywhere near their best performance. Whilst the season does not rest on this one result it shows clearly that if you want to finish higher and aspire to the league title eveyone needs to be committed. We will need a much more professional approach next season lads. That said we have had some wonderful games with soem great results, focus on them and come back deterined to try your best.

Player of Match: Jimmy Hinds

Lightning won a tense final against Leominster Minors from Birmingham after beating Tiverton Town U13's A in a thrilling semi final. A great display and nice trophy lads

A better performance which saw cool passing and calm defending in the first half. a golden 20 minutes in the first half saw lightning storm to a 4 goal lead only to be pulled back due to some sleepy defending. Jimmy Hinds & Bradley Palmer eased the Pins nerves with second half goals. Bradley & Isaac played well in goal each taking a half. James & mitch looked classy in the first half and Dan Parker had probably his best game to date. It is all on the last game of the season away to Westexe Rangers.

Player of Match: Liam Amatruda

This was a poor performance by recent standards and Lightning were lucky to squeeze a point out of this game, scoring in extra time after Brixington took the lead from a speculative volley. Several chances were created only to be turned over or round the post - and it was left to skipper Jimmy Hinds to blast low and hard past the Brixington keeper to save face on a day when the Pins could have secured their place at the top of division 1. We need to pick ourselves up and march on from here.

Player of Match: Jimmy Hinds

Lightning showed they could be potential champions with this professional performance to seal all 3 points in a difficult game. This was a classic game of 2 halves as Crediton stormed to an early lead and Pinhoe squandered very good chances in the first half. Second half though was all Lightning as they spent most of the 35 minutes in the Crediton half. Whilst this was not their best football they managed to come from behind to secure the victory which keeps them in the title race. well done lads.

Player of Match: Jimmy Hinds

Lightning showed great character and belief as they came from a goal down to grab all 3 points. Within 5 minutes a cross was poorly defended and Ipplepen headed home from close range. However play was soon up the home teams end and Liam Amatruda held off an Ipplepen defender to squeeze the ball home for 1-1. In the second half Ipplepen brought out their giant keeper hoping he would control midfield, but Jimmy & Isaac were in control - whilst Lee and James looked very classy at the back. Isaac soon found the net with a volley and set up a tense 20 minutes until Bradley Palmer discovered his shooting boots and saw the keeper off his line and chipped him for 3-1. Not an easy place to get a result but what class the boys showed. well done lads keep it up.

Player of Match: James Sharman & Lee Johnson

Despite turning up with some key players out the Pins did well to keep their winning form going. Thanks to some stout defending it took a while for Pinhoe to breach the home defence, however just before half time Bradley Palmer's pass found Liam Amatruda unmarked in the box and with only the keeper to beat he slotted home. Again the second half went the same way as Lightning searched for the second goal only to be denied by the Alphington defence, then with 5 minutes to go a low cross found Harry Choules who made no mistake to put the game out of question. Pinhoe Man of the Match was stand in keeper Isaac Furness who made a series of fine saves in the Pins goal to stop the home side getting on the score sheet.

This was not a great game of football but what the Pins did was grind out 3 points and learn how to hang on to an early lead. Responding to the challenge (you are all good players- but are you winners?) the Pins were very bright in the first 10 minutes with early runs on goal showing them the route past the Westexe defenders. It wasn't long before Liam found the net and then pounced first on a lose ball when all around were confused, to incerase the lead. Just before half time Westexe struck with a cracking long range effort to come in at 2-1. The visitors looked strongest in the second half but great work from Isaac Furness (MOM) in front of the defence helped keep them at bay, Jimmy Hinds made a vital last ditch tackle in our box to keep Ryan Harden from equalising. Steven Burridge was very effective today as was Jamie Knowles at right back. Well done lads can you keep it going.

Player of Match: Isaac Furness

Another game where the young Pins created chances and dominated the game but were unable to find the winning goal. Again the defence looked steady and reliable, the midfield took control of the majority of play but in the final third (opposition box) we were found wanting as plenty of cast iron chances were missed. Luke England again looked classy and walked the ball round the Broadclyst keeper only to stroke his attempt wide, Isaac Furness hit bar in the dying minutes with a superb volley from 35 metres and Jimmy Hinds turned a great cross over the bar with the keeper stranded. There can be no doubt Lightning are looking good in possession but they really do need to find a ruthless streak in front of goal.

Player of Match: Isaac Furness

A real game of two halves has Pinhoe huffed and puffed in the first half but just did not seem to be able to find that first goal. Again they created good chances and Liam was 1 on 1 with keeper it looked certian only for him to pass wide and out of play. The second half was a different tale and from the off Liam Amatruda looked lively and soon found the goal that opened the flood gates as Lightning camped in the opposition half. Quick goals then followed from Luke England , Harry Choules and Jimmy Hinds with Lee Johnson scoring his first for the team with a fine header. The defence played well as aunit supporting each other with James looking good in the middle of things, the midfield worked hard and it was just lack of match play saw many fine passes not quite get to the intended player. well done lads keep this up.

Player of Match: Luke England

This defeat ends our participation in cup competitions for this season, however there was much to be pleased with in terms of performance from the team and from individuals. Everyone lifted their game this week and the real difference between to the teams was finishing. Again Lightning created some great chances early on but failed to put them away, (we must learn to do this to take the pressure of ourselves) whereas the opposition were limited to a few attempts on goal which they converted. We are away to Buckland again next week in the league and I would hope for a much closer match. Goals were scored by Luke England, and Jimmy Hinds with one from the penalty spot.

Player of Match: Harry Choules

This was as far as Lightning got in their first experience of the Devon County Cup, however it gives a lot of hope for next year. The game was rescheduled due to wet weather and played on a very bitter and cold morning. Lightning started in their usual manner scoring first and dominating the early play, yet failing to secure a 2 goal lead. Ipplepen came back and due to some of our worst defending this season went in at the break 3-1 up. Early good play in the second half with the best move of the game saw Liam get his second setting the game up for a nail biting finish. Late on Lightning were awarded a penalty but the impressive Ipplepen goalie denied regular penalty taker Isaac Furness. We came so close but it was not to be- let's look to the league cup now lads.

Player of Match: Luke England

After several false starts due to the recent wet weather Lightning finally played their outstanding Round 3 County Cup Match. As is their style these days the Pins got right in around the visitors goal and should have been 3 up within 10 minutes, however it was Tamarside that scored first from an unlikely breakaway. Within a short space of time the Pins had pulled level when Liam Amatruda cooly side footed home from 10 metres and that is how it stayed up to half time. Lightning came out determined to win and saw promising several attacks fizzle out in front of goal, and just when it looked like extra time Jimmy Hinds latched on to a good passing move to slot home. All the Pins had to do was hold on for 10 minutes - but almost right away some clumsy defending let the Plymouth team back in to equalise. So back went Lightning with expansive moves down both wings, with 3 minutes to go another slick passing move on the edge of the Tamarside box found Isaac Furness who made no mistake drilling home to take them through to the quarter finals in the new year. It was a spirited performance - the lads never let their heads drop, Jim & Luke had the midfield sewn up while the back four are looking more like a solid unit with great peformances from James,Lee, Mitch & Jamie. Ise & Harry caused trouble on the wings putting in numerous difficult crosses. Well done lads - have a good Christmas. Come back wanting to win.
Player of Match: Jimmy Hinds

Bradley Palmer got the Pins off to a great start with a first half hat-trick, he was always busy around the opposition box. Some sleepy defending, especially with corners allowed Brixington to get a foothold in this game. However Stuart Tait and Isaac Furness put the game out of the visitors reach. James Sharman was outstanding in defence and had probably his best game this season, Jamie Knowles slotted in well at right back with the ever busy Hinds getting man of the match.

Player of Match: Jimmy Hinds

Having created 3 good chances in the first 3 minutes it was a relief to see Liam Amatruda net within 5 minutes of kick off. Bradley Palmer soon made it 2 and the Pins were looking comfortable but they allowed the visitors back into the game with an opportunist strike from a poor clearance. Isaac Furness grabbed number 3 just before half time. The Pins set about the visitors in the second half taking control and scoring 4. with Stuart Tait getting a neat hat trick, and Isaac F getting his second. The work rate was good, particularly in midfield, many chances were created and some good goals well taken. Things are looking better but we can't afford to be complacent.

Player of Match: Isaac Furness