Heavitree United made it two wins from two in Division Two with a superb second-half comeback to beat Morchard Bishop 5–3 at Wingfield Park on Saturday.

The Heavies found themselves 2–0 down at half-time after a difficult opening 45 minutes in which the visitors had enjoyed the better of the game. Whatever was said in the dressing room at the break certainly had the desired effect, as Heavitree emerged for the second half with renewed intensity and produced a completely different performance.

Five second-half goals turned the game on its head, with Charlie Way scoring twice and Hodgson, Mouland-Ley and Stewart also finding the net. Morchard pulled one back late on, but Heavitree responded immediately to complete a remarkable 5–3 victory and secure another three points.

The result means the Heavies have started their Division Two campaign with back-to-back victories, scoring eight goals and conceding three, and sit at the top end of the early league table alongside Witheridge.

Attention now turns to this Saturday, when Heavitree travel to Newtown 2nds looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

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! 💙💛

Heavitree United 1st rounded off pre-season with a 4–2 win over North Tawton 1st on Saturday, in the first home match for the 1st team at Wingfield Park since the merger.

With the changing room ready, the kits laid out and Wingfield hosting the final friendly before the start of the Division 2 campaign, the Heavies could hardly have made a better start.

Within the opening couple of minutes, Way put Heavitree ahead from a corner to make it 1–0.

Moments later, Stewart played an excellent ball through to Cole, who beat his man before calmly finishing into the bottom corner to double the lead.

At 2–0 up so early in the game, Heavitree were enjoying plenty of possession and continued to create chances, but North Tawton gradually settled into the match.

Having won their league last season, they were always expected to provide a strong test and, as the first half progressed, the game became much tighter and more competitive.

Both sides had spells of possession and chances, but there were no further goals before the break, with Heavitree going in 2–0 ahead.

North Tawton Fight Back

The second half began in a similar fashion, although North Tawton started to become more of an attacking threat.

Following a number of changes from Heavitree, North Tawton began to apply more pressure and were rewarded when an opening appeared in the Heavitree defence, allowing the visitors to slot home and reduce the deficit to 2–1.

With their confidence growing, North Tawton continued to push forward and eventually found an equaliser to bring the scores level at 2–2.

It left the game finely balanced going into the final 20 minutes.

At times Heavitree moved away from the passing football that had served them well earlier in the match, with the game becoming increasingly competitive and possession changing hands regularly.

But with the scores level and the match entering its final few minutes, the Heavies found another gear.

Stewart produced a superb run down the left-hand side, beating a couple of players before finishing low past the goalkeeper to restore the lead at 3–2.

There was still time for one more.

After a further Heavitree attack saw a couple of efforts blocked and the ball break loose around the edge of the area, Burland arrived onto it and struck a superb volley into the bottom corner.

It was a particularly welcome moment for Burland, making his first appearance of pre-season after missing the previous friendlies through injury.

Moments later the referee brought the game to an end, confirming a 4–2 win for Heavitree United.

Pre-Season Complete

It was another useful test and another win to finish a productive pre-season.

There were plenty of positives, particularly the fast start and the late response after being pegged back to 2–2, while there will also be things to work on as the competitive fixtures begin.

Attention now turns to the Devon & Exeter Football League Division 2 campaign.

Heavitree United 1st begin their league season at home to Royal Oak FC 1st at Wingfield Park on Friday 28 August, kick-off 6.30pm.

Royal Oak were promoted from Division 3 last season and will provide another tough test as the Heavies begin their Division 2 campaign.

Please come along and support the team and the club as the new season gets underway at Wingfield.

Full Time: Heavitree United 1st 4–2 North Tawton 1st

Heavitree scorers: Way, Cole, Stewart, Burland.

Racehorse Rovers Reserves 2–8 Heavitree United 1st

Heavitree United continued their preparations for the new season with a convincing 8–2 friendly win away to Racehorse Rovers Reserves on Saturday.

On a very hot afternoon in Taunton, the Heavies produced a confident display and another positive step forward as the squad continues to take on board the ideas being introduced by Jon Martin and Danny Thompson.

The first half proved the tougher of the two. Heavitree took a little time to get to grips with the 3G surface, but goals from Stewart and A.Ziff gave the visitors a 2–0 advantage before Racehorse pulled one back to make it 2–1 at half-time.

The Heavies took control after the break. Cole restored the two-goal advantage before Stewart added his second of the afternoon. Way then got himself on the scoresheet, Slack added another, and Stewart completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot. Way scored his second to complete Heavitree’s eight, with Racehorse adding a late consolation.

It was a good opportunity to give everyone valuable minutes, and there were plenty of positives to take from both the performance and the result.

Unfortunately, Macca missed the game after picking up a back injury. Hopefully it proves to be nothing serious and we’ll see him back in action soon.

Attention now turns to training on Wednesday before the Heavies return home for their next pre-season friendly against North Tawton on Saturday 22 August, with a 2pm kick-off at Wingfield Park.

It will be great to get back on the home pitch.

Up the Heavies! 💙💛