Stoke Out to Avenge Brixham Loss
Stoke Gabriel travel to Wall Park tomorrow afternoon as they seek to close the gap on leaders Crediton Town. But with Brixham AFC having dealt the Railwaymen a blow already this season, beating them 4-0 at Broadley Lane in Stoke’s only defeat so far, there is more at stake than league points.
After a two week break from league action, Stoke earned a valuable point at home to the University of Exeter last Saturday, the team they have also been drawn against in the Second Round of the Walter C Parson Funeral Directors League Cup. Goals from Olly Critchlow, a 14th minute header, and Tom Kelly, after beating a handful of players in the second half, put the home side ahead on two occasions but the Uni boys battled back both times through Pascal Sedgwick and Jamal Bartley and the game ended as a 2-2 draw.
Prior to that game, Stoke had dispatched Premier side Cullompton Rangers from the League Cup with a 4-1 margin, Critchlow with the hosts’ first and Josh Webber putting away a hat-trick.
Brixham also enjoyed cup success against Premier opponents with an even bigger win, Callington Town going down 5-1 at Wall Park. However, Jason Couch’s men go into tomorrow’s derby on the back of a 2-0 reverse at Newton Abbot Spurs last Friday evening. Former Alphington manager Chris Porter is now in charge at Spurs and he presided over a late late show at the Rec with Liam Jones, five minutes from time, and former manager Adam Dyson, three minutes later undoing a decent away performance for the Fishermen.
Now Jason Couch will be hoping his side can regroup and complete the double over Stoke – a result that would move them above their South Devon rivals.
Tomorrow’s match kicks off at 3pm.
