ON a heavy pitch Morwenstow played host to Appledore on Sunday, both teams were geared up for a tough game, writes Anna Francis.

Appledore soon opened the scoring when Gary Skinner's long range shot slipped through the 'keeper's hands. Appledore quickly doubled their lead, despite Dan Metherell's effort to clear off the line, Sam Grimley's close range effort was tapped in.

Morwenstow pulled a goal back in the 30th minute when Neil Bousahla's pass to Paul Jenkin was brought down and slotted home.

Immediately after, Appledore got their third when Shaun Copp slotted the ball in at the near post. Appledore made it 4-1 when Mo'stow 'keeper Aaron Gregory saved a shot and Chris Brown smashed in the rebound.

The greens pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time when Phil Horton's good run up the wing and fine cross found Appledore's Gary Skinner to score an own goal.

The second half opened with a great long range shot from Paul Sluggett to make the score 4-3 but Appledore soon scored another, Sean Downing drilled the ball in from the edge of the box.

Ashley Thomas robbed defender Ewan Butler in the 75th minute to make the score 5-4. Morwenstow had a good spell and were unfortunate not to equalise when Paul Sluggett's effort outside the box was drilled wide.

It was in the final ten minutes that Sean Downing scored Appledore's sixth with a header and their seventh goal came from Morwenstow's Jamie Etherington to conclude this 11 goal thriller and put Appledore through to the next round.