Malborough & Hope Cove 5-2 Paignton Villa reserves

With promotion out of reach, Boro manager Mike Stone has set his sights on an Ivor Andrews Cup Final appearance. So this First Round tie, played on a wet surface at Malborough, was a good start.

Missing 3 or 4 key players, there were a few changes in the starting line up. However, Boro started strongly, putting pressure on the Paignton defense.

They went close on a number of occasions with Gary Burman missing an open goal, all be it from 40 yards, and the keeper making some good saves.

However, it was the keeper’s mistake which led to the first goal. When he scuffed a clearance, the ball fell to the feet of Joby Barraclough, who slotted the ball home for his first goal of the season.

Soon after, Boro went two up with a magnificent solo goal. Rob Hutchings on the left played a one-two with Nick Bowles before beating two defenders and the keeper to slot the ball into the net from a tight angle.

Boro then made the mistake of sitting back on their lead and conceded after a Paignton player beat the offside trap and lifted the ball over keeper Sean Meekings. Boro were then fortunate not to concede again, and only good hands from Meekings kept Paignton at bay.

Realising their fortune, Boro pushed on again and got their reward just before half-time when another defensive mistake led to the ball falling at the feet of Wayne Kovacic who made no mistake from close range.

Soon after the break, Kovacic was on target again. After good work on the left from Hutchings, Kovacic meet a cross at the far post to slide home his fifth of the season.

Nick Bowles rounded off the scoring for Boro with a well timed run and a delightful lob over the keeper.

With ten minutes remaining, Boro conceded a second goal.

Another good team performance from Boro sees them into the next round of the cup. This Saturday (22 January), Malborough & Hope Cove travel to Dittisham for a league fixture (2.30 KO).