Malborough & Hope Cove FC 2-0 Harbertonford reserves

Malborough & Hope Cove produced some of their best and worst football of the season in winning this local derby.

Playing down the slope with the wind behind them in the first half the advantage should have been firmly with the home side, but a lack of communication, wayward passing and poor finishing led to a frustrating goal-less half-time score.

A big improvement was required for the second-half and Boro responded well. Phil Harris making a welcome return to the club started bossing the midfield alongside Dan Gregory and at last passes were meeting there targets all over the pitch.

Malborough’s improvement was rewarded when Rob Hutchings put Wayne Kovacic through on goal and he calmly slotted the ball home.

Now Boro were producing the kind of football that has propelled them up the division six table since the start of the new year and James Whitley very nearly doubled the lead when he found space inside the box but his effort cleared the bar.

Dave Parry came on as sub making a welcome return from injury along with Dan Butcher, and it was the latter who sealed the points when getting on the end of a cross after fine wing play from Harry Dawson.

A good defensive display led by ‘evergreen’ Brett Scott helped the versatile Nick Bowles keep a clean sheet on a difficult day for defenders and goalkeepers.

The final whistle brought another two points for Malborough & Hope Cove.