Slim Pickings for South Devon as Appledore Close Gap
A disappointing afternoon for South Devon saw Appledore gain ground on the leading pack in the South West Peninsula Division One East.
With Teignmouth not playing, Brixham AFC had a chance to claim pole position in the division if they could get at least a point at home to sixth-placed Axminster Town. But Jason Couch’s side failed in their objective, going down 2-1 at a windy Wall Park. The Tigers, under new manager Jon Hurford, looked well-drilled and had two good chances to go in front in the first half, but Liam Cleal failed to take either, including one glorious one which he hit over the top. Cleal made amends for his profligacy after the break, turning home an Aaron Daniels cross to edge the visitors in front. But Brixham got back on terms in the 75th minute, the division’s top scorer Graham Mercieca taking advantage of a collision between Axminster goalkeeper Scott Well-Burr and his defender. The winner came in the 84th minute, Danny Clay, the ex-Grecian midfielder, smashing home a long-ranger to delight the away supporters.
Newton Abbot Spurs were also without a game and Stoke Gabriel moved level third with their South Devon rivals with a 2-2 draw at Alphington. There were also single points for Bovey Tracey, Lewis Perring and Callum Livingstone netting for the Moorlanders in a 2-2 draw at St Martins, the Exeter side finishing a man light, and Totnes and Dartington who were held 0-0 at home by Exwick Villa. Elsewhere there were heavy defeats for Galmpton United, who lost 7-0 at Appledore, and Liverton United, beaten 11-1 at Crediton United.
Appledore’s win sees them close the gap on the top four to one point with Axminster and Crediton not far behind.
