Exeter City won the Edenvale Turf Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup with a 2-1 victory over Plymouth Parkway.
A tight opening hour saw both sides struggle to create too many clear-cut chances but two quick-fire goals from Josh Key and Joel Randall did the damage for a young Grecians side, before Jordan Annear pulled a goal back late on.
The Grecians named a strong side with the under-23s continuing to get game time in the competition alongside experienced players like Luke Croll and Aaron Martin.
In an even first period, both sides struggled to create too many clear-cut chances, with the Grecians’ first real attempt coming when Max Smallcombe tried his luck from distance but failed to hit the target.
Parkway’s first attempt came just after the half hour mark when they worked it well down the right before Aaron Bentley found Shane Krac, but his effort edged just wide of James Hamon’s goal.
Five minutes from half-time City almost went ahead when Ben Seymour turned well out on the left before firing a fierce effort at goal, but for Kyle Moore to tip over.
The game continued much the same until the hour mark, until the Grecians took the lead. A dangerous corner was headed goalwards by Aaron Martin before Moore saved, leaving Key to tap home the rebound.
City then took the game away from their opponents just a couple of minutes later when Randall was played in down the left before he darted inside and finished coolly to make the score 2-0.
The Grecians continued to manage the game well but their opponents got on the scoresheet in injury time when Annear managed to turn the ball home from close range, but Dan Green’s side held out to lift the trophy.
Plymouth Parkway: Moore, Bentley, Trott, Pople, Farkins, Milton, Williams, Krac, Annear, Lane, Rosenquest
Subs not used: Carter, Afful, Hillson, Yetton, Rhead
Booked: Farkins, Trott, Milton, Krac
Exeter City: Hamon, A. Martin, Moyse (Iseguan,76), Clements, Croll, Randall, Kite, Key, Hartridge, Seymour, Smallcombe
Subs not used: Weale, Iseguan, Lovett, Veale
Booked: A. Martin, Smallcombe