Division six WBW Solicitors South Devon
Chagford Reserves 4
Kingsbridge and Kellaton 2
FOR almost three-quarters of this match Chagford barely looked to be the promotion contenders they hope to be when the season comes to an end.
A flurry of second half changes quelled Kingsbridge and Kellaton's defiance and the three points took Chagford to the top of the divisional tree.
Before their hosts had a chance to settle, Kingsbridge took a third minute lead, as Cork parried the initial shot but Phillips was on hand to tap the ball home.
Within a minute a remarkably similar incident led to teenager James Licence being on hand to coolly slot home his first goal for the club. From there, the game slipped into a scrappy melee, which neither team looked capable of winning.
Chagford seemed to lack the self-belief they have generated this season and Kingsbridge lacked any true penetration.
Ten minutes into the second half and Chagford made three substitutions in quick succession. The resultant rejigging took more minutes for the team to come to terms with and the King's men took full advantage, with Duke scoring their second on 70 minutes.
Chagford then came out of their shells and started to play the football that has taken them up the table in recent weeks.
Mortimore, Oliver and Reeves combined to send Stuart Potter clear and he poked the ball under the 'keeper for the second equaliser. This added new life to Chagford and, despite Cork having to make a tremendous save, they took the lead through Vince Reeves. The big forward, who had played well throughout, fully deserved his 79th minute goal.
Licence capped his own fine display with a personal second four minutes later, evading any marker and meeting Reeves' near post corner to side-foot home.
With previous leaders South Brent frozen out, Chagford Reserves find themselves in recently unfamiliar territory with a place at the top.
At least they now know the task in hand, as they seek to pull themselves out of the lowest division.