Heavitree United made the perfect start to their Stitch2Print Devon & Exeter Football League Division 2 campaign on Friday evening, beating Royal Oak FC 1st 3-0 in front of a superb crowd at Wingfield Park.
With well over 100 spectators in attendance for the Heavies’ opening league fixture of the season, the home side gave them plenty to celebrate with two goals inside the opening six minutes.
Heavitree took the lead after just five minutes following some excellent football down the left. Sparks and Way combined with a neat one-two, releasing Way down the wing. He beat his man before cutting the ball back into the box for Stewart, who made no mistake with the finish to put the Heavies 1-0 ahead.
Barely a minute later it was 2-0.
Royal Oak attempted to play out from the back, but Way quickly closed down the goalkeeper, won the ball and calmly finished into the empty net to give the Heavies a dream start.
After the frantic opening, the game developed into a much more physical and evenly contested battle. Both sides had opportunities during the remainder of the first half, but neither was able to create anything clear-cut and Heavitree went into the break with their two-goal advantage intact.
Heavies Stand Firm
The second half continued in much the same fashion, with Royal Oak competing strongly and the referee kept busy as the physical nature of the contest increased.
Heavitree’s defence stood firm throughout, with Sparks producing an excellent performance at left-back. At the heart of the defence, Lewis and Pearce were rock solid, dealing confidently with everything Royal Oak threw at them, while B.Blackmore put in an equally assured display at right-back, nullifying the visitors’ threat down his side. Behind them, Scott was composed and assured in goal throughout, despite carrying a minor injury into the game, dealing confidently with everything that came his way. Together, the defensive unit provided a solid foundation for the Heavies to protect their advantage and secure a thoroughly deserved clean sheet.
The first change came with Talbot replacing Burland, and the substitute made an almost immediate impact.
Once again, Way was the creator. He beat his man down the left before rolling the ball inside to Talbot, who met it just inside the box and produced a lovely side-footed finish into the bottom-right corner to make it 3-0 after 58 minutes.
Further changes followed later in the half, with A.Ziff replacing Cheadle and A.Squire replacing B.Blackmore, as Heavitree saw out the remainder of the game.
The contest remained fiercely competitive and, following a late flashpoint, both sides were reduced to ten men. Heavitree are appealing their dismissal, but the disruption did little to change the pattern of the game, with Royal Oak unable to find a way through a determined Heavitree defence.
Three Goals, Clean Sheet, Three Points
The final whistle confirmed an excellent 3-0 victory and three points from Heavitree’s first Division 2 fixture of the season.
Sparks was named Man of the Match following an outstanding display at left-back, while Way played a part in all three goals, scoring one and creating the other two.
Just as encouraging was the support around Wingfield Park. Well over 100 spectators turned out for the Friday evening fixture, creating a terrific atmosphere for the Heavies’ first competitive game of the new campaign.
Three goals. A clean sheet. Three points.
Attention now turns to next Saturday, when the Heavies are back at Wingfield Park to face Morchard Bishop FC in Division 2.
Up the Heavies! 💙💛