23rd May 2012

COLYTON FOOTBALL: Promotion for Tanners

COLYTON welcomed Topsham Town to The Peace Memorial Playing Fields last monday in front of a huge crowd knowing that a point would seal a top three finish and promotion from the Devon & Exeter League division two - and deny the visitors at the same time.

James Salter and Sam Dibling returned to the starting XI with Simon McClellan and Oli Tollerfield dropping to the bench after putting in excellent shifts against Westexe on Saturday.

Colyton took control of proceedings and went close when a George Moore corner hit the far post.

Nath Maddocks then saw his effort also hit the post following a great pass from Moore.

After such a good period it was a shock to the system when Topsham opened the scoring when the ball fell to Ace High (the Premier Division’s top scorer this season), who tucked his effort in off the post.

Dibling levelled after the restart when he rose highest at a corner to head home powerfully from a tight angle.

With 10 minutes left on the clock a through ball from Jase Potter found Dibling who showed incredible pace to beat the defender before tucking the ball beneath the keeper.

This left Topsham needing two goals to snatch promotion from the grasp of Colyton, but they continued to struggle to breach the home sides defence.

With the clock ticking down Tollerfield set up Dibling who slotted home at the second time of asking to complete his hat-trick.

Colyton held on for the victory to clinch their second promotion in three years. And a return to Devon & Exeter league Diviison One for the first time in 20-odd years.

Tanners’ manager Keith Somers was overjoyed with his team’s showing, he said: “It was a monumental effort from all the lads involved which saw us win our final five matches in the space of 12 days.

“Sam stole the show with his goals, but the work rate from the whole team was first class and everyone played their part from back to front - a real team effort.”

”If we work like that in all our matches next season then perhaps another promotion may be in the offing.

“I would like to add that this was our eighth game in the space of 17 days. An incredible effort by the lads to perform well in each whilst still having to work during the day. It puts the whingeing pros to shame!”

COLYTON FOOTBALL: Promotion for Tanners

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