United progressed to the quarter finals of the Devon FA St Luke’s Challenge Cup with a commanding 11-0 victory over Holsworthy at Plainmoor.
Determined to quickly put last Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup exit behind them, United manager Jimmy Ball named a strong starting XI and substitutes’ bench, with five academy prospects included in the first team squad. That selection was rewarded as early as the eighth minute when Cody Cooke fired home from the penalty spot. One quickly became two as Tegan Finn delivered a corner that sailed all the way through and into the back of the net. It initially appeared that Cooke had got the final touch, but the on loan Plymouth Argyle star was the recipient of his team mates’ congratulations as United doubled their advantage.
After a difficult start, Holsworthy began to show signs of a response, and their first sight of goal came in the 19th minute when an audacious volley from 30 yards sailed over Zak Baker’s crossbar.
Just three minutes before the half hour mark, Finn grabbed his second of the evening, capitalising on Holsworthy’s attempts to play out from the back before sliding the ball home from eight yards to make it 3-0.
Isaac Westendorf twice came close to getting his name on the scoresheet. First, he was unable to wrap his boot around an effort after Matt Jay’s strike had been parried, before his next opportunity, just moments later, crashed against the woodwork.
Westendorf may have been denied a goal of his own, but his impressive link up play soon paid dividends as he unselfishly headed the ball into Cooke’s path, allowing the forward to slam home a close range volley.
Sean Robertson, who returned from injury last Saturday, featured again as he continued his efforts to build match fitness. A powerful run down the right hand side culminated in a smart finish, with Robertson finding the net less than 30 seconds before the interval to give United a commanding 5-0 lead at the break.
United wasted little time adding to their advantage after the restart. Just two minutes into the second half, Matt Jay’s effort wasn’t cleared off the line and the forward made it 6-0 in the 48th minute.
Dan Hayfield was then presented with a shooting opportunity directly from a free-kick. Although the goalkeeper got down low to his left, he was unable to prevent the strike from finding the back of the net as United moved further ahead.
Cooke completed his hat trick in the 67th minute following some positive build up play, sliding home from six yards at the back post as double figures came into sight. The forward was not finished there, adding his fourth of the evening just a few minutes later with a composed finish from inside the penalty area.
United’s priority would have been to deliver a professional performance in response to last Saturday’s cup exit, but with the goals continuing to flow on Tuesday evening, there was still time for further additions to the scoreline.
Jay claimed his second of the night and United’s 10th goal after substitute Fin Herbert, scorer of the winner in the previous round at Bovey Tracey, made an excellent run to leave Jay with acres of space. Jay duly finished to put United into double figures. With five minutes remaining, Jay joined Cooke in completing his hat trick, making it 11-0 and adding further gloss to a thoroughly professional performance.
The emphatic victory secured United’s place in the quarter finals of the Devon FA St Luke’s Challenge Cup, with 464 supporters watching on at Plainmoor.
UNITED: 13. Zak Baker, 2. Dom Bernard (6. Munashe Sundire), 3. Tyler Hill (15. Elliot Osman), 8. Angelo Cappello (18. Fin Herbert), 9. Cody Cooke, 11. Tegan Finn, 16. Jake Wannell (12. Owen Bailey), 19. Isaac Westendorf, 20. Dan Hayfield (26. Ashton Harvey), 23. Sean Robertson, 27. Matt Jay.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mack Stokes
Attendance: 464
