Winners… Year 7 Football Tournament

Alfie Silvester grabbed what turned out to be the deciding goal as Paignton Academy came from behind to beat Combe Pafford in the final and win a Year 6/7 Football tournament at Coach Road, Newton Abbot.

It was a composed finish from Alfie, who found himself through on goal before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner for his third goal of the six-a-side competition.

Paignton, well marshalled at the back by Mason Hackney-Harrison and Tyler Jordan, then held firm with some heroic defending to claim the Gold medals at the Devon FA’s headquarters. 

Captain Ollie Cobbs, leading the way as Paignton’s main source of goals throughout the tournament with NINE overall, had equalised for the team in blue and white after Combe Pafford had taken an early lead. 

It was actually the only goal that Paignton conceded during the entire tournament.

They stormed through the group stage, topping their four-team table with victories against Ivybridge Community College (8-0), Brunel Academy (3-0) and Orchard Manor School (2-0). 

Charlie Keogh (2) and  Charlie Harding also got their names on the scoresheet. 

The latter shared goalkeeping duties during the tournament with Brandon Cole – taking the gloves for a half each in every game – and showed what he could do up the other end with a cool finish during the 3-0 triumph over Brunel.

Erin Robertson also put in a solid performance at centre-back whenever called into action as a substitute.