Pinhoe 4, Colaton Raleigh 1 Raleigh went into this Fresha League Division Two game without eight regular squad members including both senior goal keepers!

With the side sitting relatively safely in the section boss Rikki Pitter took the opportunity to give such first team experience to more of the more club’s youngsters.

Blake Blackwood, Dan Hulin and Zak Smith were all involved and the trio showed good awareness and passed the ball well against a big strong Pins side.

Raleigh made the best possible start with Tony Cox tucking away Mark Pavey’s first minute cross.

They went on to play some controlled football, but were undone by a 35th minute counter-attack that left the scores level at the break.

In the second half, Raleigh again looked composed without causing too much threat up front themselves. Pinhoe took the lead on the hour mark and a minute later doubled their advantage.

The Pinhoe keeper made two excellent stops as Raleigh piled forward to get back into the game, but were then hit with a sucker punch as a long ball over the top was fired home to complete the scoring.

Pitter said: “We were a long way from our best, but there were positives to take from the game. The young lads who came in all acquitted themselves well and Aaron Howe, and Dan Corrick stood out again. There is no time to dwell on this result as we have games coming now thick and fast.”

Raleigh still have eight league fixtures and possibly three cup, ties still to play over the course of the next three weeks!