Sensational South Devon College victory to reach the Elite National Final

South Devon College has booked a place in the Elite National Final after a superb 3-1 victory over Gower College from Wales.

The SDC side is comprised of players on the Torquay United U18 programme and included Aidan Edwards, Coby White, Fin Herbert and Jonah Shaw, all of whom have been involved with the Gulls’ first-team squad this season.

Gower, however, are an extremely strong College side, featuring a number of players selected for Wales at College level, and they showed this prowess with an outrageous opening goal, powering a long-range effort into the top corner.

SDC had to regroup in the breezy conditions and deservedly drew level when a free-kick from Edwards evaded the Gower defence and Owen Bailey arrived to steer an excellent header beyond the visiting custodian.

Proudly wearing the TUFC Yellow, momentum was fully behind the SDC players and they almost pinched the half-time lead with a terrific effort from Shaw, but he was thwarted by a top save.

Gower came out strong in the early stages of the second period, forcing an outstanding block from Josh Bond, which provided the platform for SDC to take control of proceedings.

Gradually, the attacking trio of Herbert, Toby Hard and Albie Baker began pulling the visitors all over the place. The decisive moment arrived when Herbert jinked past his man and swung over a delicious cross for the arriving Shaw to glance a deft header into the bottom corner.

SDC now had a lead to protect and the defensive unit performed with discipline and determination. Victory was sealed with more clever work in attack opening space for Hard to drill a low shot beyond the Gower ‘keeper.

A fabulous 3-1 victory and it is now on to the Elite National Final, scheduled to be played at the Accrington Stanley stadium on Thursday, April 30.

Team: Joshua Bond; Elliott Osman, Ellis Drew, Owen Bailey, Stevie Cole, Coby White, Aidan Edwards, Jonah Shaw, Toby Hard, Fin Herbert, Albie Baker, Jack Rowell, Alfie Butler, Ethan Ratcliffe, Freddie Heath, Luke Adams.