Brixham triumphant on the greatest night in Wall Park history

There have been many wonderful achievements in the rise of Brixham AFC over the past few years, but a victory over Torquay United in a competitive fixture surely takes top prize.

The Fishermen have risen from the humble surrounds of the South Devon Football League to now competing in the Southern League at Step 4 in the football pyramid and therefore represented a stern challenge for United in the Devon Bowl.

The Gulls arrived with a healthy contingent of first-team professionals and a smattering of youngsters on a vibrant night that saw over 900 fans pack into Wall Park.

Matt Wonnacott, Jordan Thomas, Denzel Akyeampong, Ed Palmer and Matt Carson constructed an experienced backline, with Dan Hayfield, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton occupying the midfield slots. The theme of pros returning from injury continued with Dylan Morgan on the left wing, joined by U18s Fin Herbert and Coby White as the attacking trio.

United were comfortable in possession through the early stages but lacked penetration against a compact and organised Brixham unit, with the searing pace of young Herbert the only real outlet for breaking the lines in the home defence.

The Fishermen also provided some threat at the other end, Kieran Parkin and Charlie Johansen both having efforts on goal, while the raw power of James Moxon in the vanguard was difficult to contain at times.

The interval arrived with few genuine opportunities created from either side, but Brixham were asking the sterner questions, and they got their reward on 53 minutes, when Cole Harford pounced on a loose ball in the area to scuttle a low shot into the bottom corner.

United were forced to increase their tempo and finally had a proper shot on goal when Herbert turned from 20 yards and fizzed a left-foot drive that clipped the outside of the near post.

The pressure was gradually increasing and a corner from the right prompted an almighty scramble that saw Edwards, Hayfield and Plamer all surrounding the goalkeeper in an attempt to level. It was a classic scramble that somehow stayed out of the net, as Brixham made around four desperate goal-line clearances in the space of 15 bizarre seconds.

Edwards then found space in the box for a rising drive tipped over the bar by Andy Collings. Brixham, however, remained a threat on the counter and Lucas Robinson managed to break free for the hosts, only to be halted by Wonnacott racing off his line to clear.

Palmer had a pop from distance that forced a decent block by Collings and United were seconds away from defeat when Carson set off on a mazy run inside from the left, culminating in a lovely cut-back finish with his right foot into the bottom corner.

The final whistle sounded moments later and the game went to penalties. Hayfield converted the opener and Brixham missed, but then Carson blasted over and Thomas was thwarted by a good save.

The Fishermen held their nerve and Aaron Wellington slotted the winning penalty to complete a famous night for the hosts. While the result was disappointing for United, it was good to see recent absentees get minutes in their legs and some promising signs from the next generation of Plainmoor talent.