Bricknell helps Naval Base go clear at top

LARRY SPEARE DEVON WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Plymouth Dukes (A)…2 HM Naval Base…4

THIS match played at a windy Staddiscombe proved to be a personal triumph for Base's Fraser Bricknell as the sailors increased their lead at the top with a workmanlike victory.

Bricknell struck twice to put Base on top only for the students to hit back and reduce the deficit.

Bricknell completed his hat-trick to make it 3-1 before Dukes once again reduced the deficit.

Bricknell had the final say with his and Base's fourth to put the seal on another fine display.

42 Commando…0 University (IV)…3

THIS was a scrappy affair at Bickleigh with neither goalkeeper really troubled, although the home 'keeper did have to pick the ball out of his net as the students took the three scoring chances that fell their way.

DIVISION ONE City Police…1 Plymouth Dukes (B)…3

POLICE got off to a brilliant start when Pete Sey slid in to convert a corner in the first minute.

The score remained that way until half-time but it was the Dukes who came out for the second half rejuvenated and they soon levelled when substitute Anthony West pivoted to find the bottom corner with a drive.

With 10 minutes to go Kiani gave Dukes the lead before Jacob Smith gave Dukes a two-goal advantage.

Drama in the final minute came when Police's Lee Sheldon had his penalty smartly saved by the Dukes' 'keeper.

GEORGE LANG CUP Marjon (IV)…3 Lipson Community College…1

BOTH teams were rusty after so many weeks without a fixture, but they both did well to combat difficult conditions at Whitleigh.

With just seconds on the clock, Lipson goalkeeper Tyler Roden had to make a fine reaction save to deny Marjon an early breakthrough.

Lipson settled after that scare and their reward came when Jordan Tippett netted by catching Marjon on the break.

Lipson were enjoying lots of possession only to squander several chances to increase their tally.

Midway through the first half a long ball caused confusion in the Lipson defence and a penalty was conceded that allowed Ryan Howe to step up and level the scores.

Despite playing against a strong wind, Lipson had loads of possession but they had to thank Roden for keeping the scores level by bringing off four excellent one-on-one saves.

In the 80th minute Marjon took the lead when Mikey Barron thundered in a well-timed header from a precision corner.

Lipson went in search of an equaliser but Marjon sealed victory in the last minute when Liam Donovan hit the target.

DEVON MIDWEEK CUP 29 Commando…0 Plymouth Students Union…3

DUE to military commitments 29 were forced to field a depleted side.

Indeed, if a little more luck was on striker Dean Easterbrook's side, then the result could well have been different.

Easterbrook was denied by the Students 'keeper on several occasions and he also had a fierce strike bounce down off the crossbar.

Some thought it appeared it had crossed the line, but the referee deemed it had not.

Students went ahead on 10 minutes through skipper Tom Tunnycliff and the same player made it 2-0 by running onto a long Boynton through ball played over the top of the Gunners defence to round the home 'keeper.

Union sealed progress to the semi-finals when Dan Stretton rounded off a good move.

RESULTS:

Larry Speare Devon Wednesday Football League Premier Division: 42 Commando RM 0 University of Plymouth (IV) 3

Plymouth Dukes (A) 2 HM Naval Base 4 (Bricknell 4)

Star Cars v UCP Marjon (III) – postponed

Division One: City Police 1 (Sey) Plymouth Dukes (B) 3 (West, Kiani, Smith)

Devonport High School v St Bonifaces College – postponed

Royal Marine Band v City College Plymouth – postponed

YMCA Discovery College v University (V) – postponed

George Lang Cup Second Round: UCP Marjon (IV) 3 (Howe, pen, Barron, Donovan) Lipson Community College 1 (Tippett)

Devon Midweek Cup Quarter-Finals: 29 Commando Regt RA 0 Plymouth Students Union 3 (Tunnycliff 2, Stretton)