Back to Back Derby Wins for Title Chasing Spurs
After last Friday’s home success over Totnes and Dartington, Chris Porter’s Newton Abbot Spurs claimed another three points in their Wednesday night derby at Bovey Tracey to move second in the table and just two points behind leaders Crediton United.
The first incident on a cold autumnal evening came when Mark Perrin received a yellow card for the hosts after a tackle on Liam Jones. A few minutes later, a mistake by captain Joe Bushin allowed former Spurs manager Adam Dyson to run through and put the visitors in front, finishing expertly after just eight minutes. Spurs started the match on top but the Moorlanders gradually got back into the match as the half wore on. Their best chance of levelling things up before the break came six minutes from half-time, Josh Moore slamming Callum Livingstone’s low cross against the bar.
Spurs started the second half as they had the first and once more got on the score-sheet, Jones with an individual effort to give Bovey a mountain to climb. They set about their task admirably though and were rewarded with a goal, Bushin finding the net. Moore and Livingstone also had chances to score as Bovey pushed for an equaliser. But Bovey were knocked back when Bushin received a second caution and the home side had to struggle on with ten men. Spurs held on for another three points to heap pressure on the front-runners.
Also in Wednesday night action were last season’s runners-up Teignmouth. The Teigns had also enjoyed victory against Bovey, winning 3-1 last Saturday, and were hoping to build on that with a good result at Budleigh Salterton, one of the few teams who have played less matches than them. Teigns achieved their goal with a 5-1 triumph to lift them closer to the top half of the table.
Brixham AFC also scored five the previous night as they dealt league leaders Crediton United their first home defeat, winning 5-4 despite being 4-1 down at one stage. Two goals in a minute by Simon Durrant and Kieran Stone had put Creddy well ahead after 15 minutes, but a fantastic curling shot from Brixham’s Number Eight halved the deficit seven minutes later. Perry Carpenter’s 41st minute finish from a corner restored the hosts’ two goal advantage and then, just two minutes after the restart, Crediton must have thought the game was over as Durrant latched on to a poor back pass for a fourth goal. But Brixham roared back, following up on a chance that the home ‘keeper Tonkin had spilt before pulling it back to 4-3 via their Number Eight again. An incisive attacking move finally saw Brixham draw level on 66 minutes with plenty of time remaining for extra goals. The final goal of the night was a controversial one, the referee ignoring the linesman’s offside flag as the two visiting strikers bore down on Tonkin; the Number Eight completed his hat-trick to complete a remarkable turnaround and give impetus to the chasing pack. It was back to back wins for the Fishermen who also edged Sidmouth United 2-1 last Saturday.
Other results last Saturday saw Stoke Gabriel defeat Galmpton United 2-1 and Liverton United enjoy their first win in three with two goals and a clean sheet at St Martins.
