Spurs Held at The Rec as Stoke and Brixham Overtake
Newton Abbot Spurs were held 1-1 at home to Appledore which paved the way for Brixham AFC and Stoke Gabriel to move above them in the SWPL Division One East.
Neither Adam Dyson nor Liam Moseley were available for Spurs, dulling their attacking edge, but the Premier Cup holders, who beat Spurs in May’s final were also under-strength. Joe Molloy was given the job of lone striker but it was Joe Andrews who came closest to giving Spurs their trademark early opener, heading just over within the first ten minutes and hitting a curled shot which was deflected just wide minutes afterwards. Jimmy Thorne saved Chris Metters’ header from the resultant corner but couldn’t stop Spurs going ahead in the 17th minute, man-of-the-match Molloy benefiting from some Andrews trickery before beating the visiting goalkeeper from within the box. But after Charlie Robinson had tripped Brian Levien in the box, Jack England dispatched the penalty which levelled things up on 29 minutes. Levien almost gave the Fishermen a half-time lead after Tom Marsh flicked a goal-kick into his path but Matt Bojar was relieved to see the ball clear the bar. Bojar was tested right on the half-time whistle though, England with the low shot.
In the 56th minute, winger Matt Williams almost nudged the hosts in front after Jake Chisholm had played him in but, under pressure from the advancing Thorne, Williams missed the gilt-edged chance. Levien and Andrews both had further chances with headed efforts and an unsighted Thorne did well to keep out George Dandridge’s long-range strike but there were no further goals and the spoils were divvied up.
The result was good news for both Brixham AFC and Stoke Gabriel who both won to move above the former leaders. Alex Smith and Kieran Parkin gave Brixham a 2-0 lead at Liverton United by half-time and Scott Robinson added a third after the break, the final score 4-0 to the Fishermen who go top. Stoke were at home to Teignmouth and after an even first half, a change in formation played dividends as the Railwaymen ran out 3-0 victors and moved up to second.
It was a good day for the bottom half South Devon sides with all three pulling off wins. Bovey Tracey hosted Alphington and enjoyed back to back wins thanks to a Callum Livingstone brace and a single by Gavin Collins, 3-2 the final score form the Western Counties Ground. Galmpton United came out on top of a seven goal thriller at Torridgeside for their first win in six, 4-3 the final score. Last but not least, Totnes and Dartington scored twice and kept out visiting Budleigh Salterton to leave the Robins feeling none too festive ahead of the Christmas break.
