HOLSWORTHY are into the last four of the Devon St Luke’s Bowl following a penalty shoot-out victory over Southern League Division One South outfit Brixham at Upcott Field on Wednesday night.

The Magpies, who were missing several regulars, as were the Fishermen, fell behind inside three minutes when James Moxon struck from a corner, but despite more than holding their own against their two-league higher opponents, had to wait until the 80th minute for stand-in left-back Gavin Carter to fire in from 25 yards.

The hosts hit the bar in a rousing finish, but it went to penalties.

After the visitors missed their first spot-kick with the score at 1-0, the next six were scored leaving George Plumb the chance to win the game.

His effort was saved by Dan Gillard, but Aaron Wellington’s failure to beat Ryan Chadwick sent the Magpies through where they will face more Southern League opposition in either Bideford, Plymouth Parkway or Tiverton Town and South West Peninsula League Premier East high-flyers Bovey Tracey who meet on Tuesday, January 27.

On a cold evening at Upcott Field, Holsworthy boss Kevin Squire was missing key men in defender/wing-back Sam Hill, midfield maestro Jay Thomas and both of his usual left-sided defenders in Mark Horn and Will Harris, while recent signing Brad Ausden was cup-tied having recently moved from Okehampton Argyle.

It meant some new positions with Rob pearce playing as a right wing-back for the first time, while Carter was on the left.

Holsworthy started as clear underdogs against a side who had secured successive promotions from SWPL Premier East up to Step Four, and their task looked even more difficult when a ball in was headed back across goal where Moxon made no mistake.

The visitors were slightly the better side and midway through the half, with the wing-backs almost playing as traditional full-backs, Squire moved George plumb out of defence and into midfield which gave them more of a foothold.

They started to get on the ball more, but were unable to seriously test Gillard as they got through to half-time with only Chadwick having to make a fine save from a long-range Brixham effort.

The tie continued in a similar vain after the break with Holsworthy enjoying plenty of possession, but too often they got into the final third only for the move to break down.

However, they got their reward 10 minutes from time when Carter picked up possession, cut inside and let fly from distance with his shot finding the bottom corner.

With three minutes remaining of normal time the Magpies went agonisngly close as a corner was met by skipper Jedd peschke who saw his header from 12 yards hit a defender and strike the crossbar.

With no extra-time in the competition it went straight to penalties with top-scorer Ben Sharpe making no mistake.

Chadwick saved the next before Pearce, Jedd Peschke and Carter held their nerve, as did Brixham’s next three takers.

Plumb couldn’t get the job done from the spot as Gillard guessed right, but Chadwick did likewise from Wellington to keep the Magpies in the hat for the last four which will be played sometime in March.

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Jedd Peschke (capt), Callum Martyn, George Plumb; Rob Pearce, Rory Simmons, Lewis Haxell, Aiden Slade, Gavin Carter; Ben Sharpe, Chris Wildern. Subs (all used): Josh Down, Sam Jago, Todd Peschke.

Magpies’ man-of-the-match: Gavin Carter.