A HAT-TRICK from Jack Presland helped Devon League side Lakeside Athletic overcome P&WD outfit Plymouth Vaults 3-2 in an entertaining Devon Premier Cup game at the Parkway on Saturday.
Despite spells of torrential rain and bitterly cold conditions, both teams were fully committed to the cup tie and both goalkeepers were kept on their toes.
However, it was Presland that proved the difference between the teams on the day, with a goal in the first half and two in the second.
Lakeside took the lead after just two minutes when Presland calming fired passed the Vaults goalkeeper. However, the hosts were not able to build on that impressive start.
Both keepers made fine saves before Vaults levelled the cup tie on 12 minutes.
Lakeside had a number of good chances before half-time to go back in front, but twice Vaults cleared off the line while their goalkeeper made a couple of fine saves as well.
The game was still level until 18 minutes into the second half when Presland calmly chipped in from the left for his second.
The home goalkeeper was then forced into two great saves to deny Vaults before Presland put his side 3-1 ahead with an impressive individual goal. He beat the on-rushing goalkeeper to a through ball down the left and then fired in from a tight angle.
Vaults, who had defended really well and played some good football, did pull one back in the closing stages, but Devon League side Lakeside held on to progress. They narrowly came close to adding a fourth with the last play of the match but hit the outside of the post.
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