Upottery re-wrote their club record books on Saturday when they won a place in the last eight of the Devon Senior Cup.

Their passage into unchartered waters of the county cup had been hit pre-match with defensive rock Gary Moore unavailable as he was at a pantomime and regular gloves man Dan Trevisic was suspended. However, the villagers called in Danny Symons to keep goal and proceeded to deliver a super all-round performance that saw them defeat North Devon League side Woolacombe and Mortenhoe 3-0.

Dan Prettejohn’s side got the perfect start with a stunning strike from Joe Jones in only the second minute! A free-kick was awarded 25-yards from goal and, when the ball was rolled sideways to Jones he rifled the ball into the top corner. That was it as far as goal scoring until, with twenty minutes remaining Steve Morris finished off a slick team move to double the lead. What had been a tense mood amongst the 75plus faithful Upottery followers changed immediately and the team played some delightful football, netting a third late on with Jones finishing what he started.

A delighted Prettejohn said: “It was a wonderful day for our club. They made us work hard for the win. That said we always had them at arm’s length although it was relief all round once the second goal was scored. To be in the last eight of the Devon Senor Cup means so much and I am thrilled for the support we get that we gave them a performance to warm the coldest of bodies on a bitterly cold Upottery December afternoon!

The match ball sponsors Bites and Brew, an A30 roadside burger van, named gloves man Symons as their Man of the Match.