The Central Scorpions travelled to West Hill for their second game of the season in a match shortened to 20 minutes each way because of a late kick-off. This was plenty of time for the Scorpions. The Scorpions got off to a great start in the second minute thanks to Thomas Mitchell beating the defence then passing to an unmarked Robbie Knightley who finished with a well placed shot from 10 yards out. A few minutes later Robbie made it two with another high quality finish.

West Hill could not defend against the stinging Scorpions attack and Thomas Mitchell made it 3-0 after 12 minutes, then Robbie Knightley completed his hat-trick by beating a couple of defenders and producing another sure-footed finish. It was 4-0 at half-time.

The Scorpions put on 4 subs at half-time and this did not interrupt their scoring. Jamie Stone switched to goalkeeper to let Adam Fitzgerald play outfield for the first time this season, on the right wing, and he went on to score the Scorpions fifth goal with a very good shot. Connor White went on a great run and finished to make it six, then Aaron Sowden rounded off the scoring with the seventh, in the 16th minute of the second half.

The Scorpions played really well again and deserved their win. It would’ve been bigger if the match was 30 minutes each way! Coach’s man of the match goes to Joseph McShane , for the second week running. Well done to Joseph, and all the Scorpions.

Stephen

Brixington Blues 5 Central Scorpions 1

Central Scorpions travelled to Exmouth to play Brixington Blues. From the kick-off the Blues kept the ball very well with some good passing and possession football and were camped in the Scorpions half. The Blues created some chances but the Scorpions goalkeeper Adam Fitzgerald was in great form and kept them at bay. After 21 minutes the Blues made the breakthrough with an unstoppable shot from 20 yards out. Some strong defending by the Scorpions kept the score at half-time to 1-0.

The Scorpions almost stung the Blues in the first minute of the second half when Jem Bartholomew got on to a loose ball and from 8 yards out and the ball flew narrowly wide. The game then settled into a repeat of the first half and finally the pressure told with a 3 goal burst from the Blues in a 5 minute spell in the middle of the second half. The Scorpions were not prepared to give up and newcomer Charlie Wallace typified their determined spirit as he chased and tackled and unsettled the Blues.

Their attitude was rewarded with a great team goal half-way through the second half. Everyone thought the ball would run of play for a Blues goal kick except Robbie Knightley, who hooked the ball from the bye-line back to Jamie Stone whose thunderous shot was deflected off a defender’s flying limb and high into the air. Aaron Sowden didn’t wait for the ball to bounce as he headed it into the corner.

The Scorpions played better football in the second half and nearly clawed themselves back into the game. The Blues scored a late goal to make it 5-1.

This was a tough game for the Scorpions and they showed excellent character and spirit throughout the match. Our congratulations go to a very impressive Brixington team. Man of the match goes to Adam Fitzgerald for ‘keeping’ the Scorpions in the match well into the second half with some very good saves.

Broadclyst 3 Central Scorpions 1

The Scorpions started very well and immediately set up camp in the opposition half. However the opener came with the first time Broadclyst moved into the Scorpions half when their centre-forward pounced on a defensive mix-up and smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

The Scorpions pushed for the equaliser and when it came it was worth the wait. Jamie Stone had threatened earlier with a long shot and on the 23 rd minute he caught one perfectly from 25 yards out and nearly burst the net. The Scorpions went on to look for the goals they deserved but at half-time the match was poised at 1-1.

In the second half the Scorpions had to defend deeply as the wind gathered strength and blew the ball down the slope. In the sixth minute of the second half a corner kick came in and a Broadclyst player was unmarked from three yards out and didn’t miss. The Scorpions had chances to get even again but their passes in the final third didn’t quite work. Broadclyst scored another with six minutes to go to secure the points.

Well done to Broadclyst, and to all the Scorpions. The match was much closer than the scoreline suggests. The Scorpions man of the match was Jamie Stone for both his great goal and an excellent all-round performance.

after Extra Time

The Central Scorpions got through to the second round of the cup competition in a hard-fought but fair battle against Broadclyst. In the first half both teams cancelled each other out with fine tackles and pressure on the ball. Most goalmouth incidents occurred at the visitors’ end but the Scorpions couldn’t get the time and space to shoot thanks to a very good display throughout from the opposition captain, at centre-half.

The second half started where the first left off. The Scorpions had an appeal for a penalty dismissed by the referee, then the visitors struck in the eighth minute with a fine counter-attacking move. The home team couldn’t clear their lines and the ball was scrambled into the back of the net and the Broadclyst players and fans celebrated the lead they worked so hard to earn. But the Scorpions never give up and stung them with an equaliser within two minutes as Jamie Stone finished a great team move. The match stayed poised at 1-1 and so we moved into extra-time.

With only three minutes remaining of the second period of extra-time and the match all square, the dreaded penalties were looming. In a very fast breakaway move the Scorpions made some quick passes and Robbie Knight found himself 20 yards out with a defender and goalkeeper blocking his way. He neatly side-stepped his marker then smashed an unstoppable shot into the bottom left corner to give the Scorpions a well earned 2-1 victory.

Well done to both Central Scorpions and Broadclyst, the match was a credit to the competition and could’ve been the final. Scorpions’ man-of-the-match goes to this season’s new boy Charlie Wallace for a great performance as centre-half. Our congratulations to Charlie and the whole squad. Scorpions are up for the cup!

Stephen

Lympstone 3 Central Scorpions 0

The Central Scorpions travelled to play potential league champions Lympstone in their first competitive match for five weeks. Playing downhill in the first half, the Scorpions defence was slightly busier, although they protected their goal comfortably with firm challenges. After 23 minutes Lympstone were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out which was struck fiercely and into the top corner to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Two minutes later another free kick was awarded on the Scorpions left, parallel with the penalty box, and taking a lesson from the first goal a wall was formed, but it wasn’t enough to stop a clever chip floated into the top corner. At half-time the 2-0 scoreline was a bit unfair on the visitors.

The second half started with a fine third goal from Lympstone as their centre-forward smashed an unstoppable shot into the postage stamp. The Scorpions defended bravely for the rest of the match, and couldn’t quite finish when chances came their way, and at full-time the score remained 3-0.

Well done to Lympstone, a very good and sporting team, with some fine footballers too. And well done to Sam King for a great defensive performance which earned him a much-deserved Scorpions man of the match award.

Stephen

Central Scorpions 4 Ottery St Mary 2

Central Scorpions hosted Ottery St. Mary and their similar positions in the league promised a competitive encounter and this is exactly what the spectators got in this entertaining match. Chances were created but never finished in the first-half until the 25th minute when an Ottery attacker fired a fierce shot from all of 25 yards, and as the goalkeeper moved to his right to save, the outstreched leg of the centre half deflected the ball to his left and into the net. Then in the last minute of the half an Ottery corner kick was well placed into the heart of the Scorpions' goalmouth and a defensive mix-up gave Ottery a 2-0 lead at half-time.

In the second half the Scorpions pressed for goals, and were sometimes caught by clever counter-attacks by the visitors. With just ten minutes to go Ottery looked comfortable with their 2-0 lead. Robbie Knightley, epitomising the spirit of the team, never gave up and scored in the 51st minute to get one back for the Scorpions.

Three minutes later he scored a second to get the Scorpions on level terms. They pressed for the winner, and with just two minutes remaining Robbie took a free kick from 25 yards that the Ottery goalkeeper could only parry, and Joseph McShane ran in to smash an unstoppable shot into the net. With the flurry of goals disorientating their opponents, the Scorpions added a fourth straight from Ottery's kick-off, Jem Bartholomew running on to thump a loose ball into the top corner of the net.

The Scorpions showed great passing, teamwork and spirit to come from 2-0 behind to score four goals in the last ten minutes. Well done to them all, and commiserations to the visitors who were unlucky to lose 4-2 on the day. Congratulations to Robbie Knightley who received the man of the match for his vital contribution towards the victory. He was the difference on the day.

Stephen

Heavitree 2 Central Scorpions 1

After Extra Time

Central Scorpions spilled out of the Cup in the second round against their hosts, Heavitree Youth. The playing surface made it difficult for flowing football so the two teams tackled and chased and battled to get into the quarter-finals. Heavitree Youth got the opener when a good kick-out from the Scorpions’ goalkeeper was attacked on the half-way line by Macauley Oldfield who ran and smashed a screamer of a shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

It was a goal good enough to win the Cup. The Scorpions didn’t deserve to be trailing but wave after wave of attacks broke down at the Heavitree defensive barrier. The breakthrough for the Scorpions came in the 18^th minute of the second half when Joseph McShane picked up the ball on the right wing and beat two defenders to get to the bye-line where he hit a firm low cross into the six yards box which a defender, under pressure from Jem Bartholomew, could only turn into his own net.

The Scorpions pressed for the winner in normal time but Heavitree continued to defend very well and at full-time the match was deadlocked at 1-1.

So we entered into extra-time. Heavitree stepped up a gear and within one minute had bundled the ball into the Scorpions net from a corner kick, Ben Andrews getting the final touch. The Scorpions kept trying but the larger Heavitree squad were fresher and in the end comfortably held onto the victory.

Well done to a spirited and fair Heavitree team and good luck to them in the next round. The Central Scorpions were a bit unlucky not to win in normal time and should be very proud of their passing football on a poor pitch. The performance sets them up very nicely for the rest of the season.

Our special congratulations go to Scorpions’ man of the match Jem Bartholomew for taking the game to the opposition and leading from the front.

Stephen