Stoke keep piling the pressure on Eagles at the top of the pile

CARSBERG SOUTH WEST PENSINSULA LEAGUE

Stoke Gabriel are within a point of leaders Elmore at the top of Division One East in the South West Peninsula League and with two games in hand.

It was the perfect storm for Stoke on Saturday, as they cruised to a 6-1 home win over Sidmouth while Elmore went down to a surprise 3-2 loss at Honiton – a result that shows the strength in depth of this league.

Danny Gaze and Dave Worthington both bagged braces in a comfortable for Stoke, as Sidmouth wilted in the cold wind, and further strikes from Josh Bowden and Liam Moseley had the added bonus of also improving their goal difference above that of Elmore.

The circling of South Devon sides behind Elmore in the chasing pack continued with Bovey Tracey and Brixham following Stoke in the successful recording of three points on the weekend.

Struggling Budleigh Salterton were the Bovey victims and it was brutally efficient from the home side as they cruised to an 8-1 victory.

Sean Finch created the opener for debutant Ollie Aplin and then Mark Perring scored direct from a corner.

Dan Taylor forced in the third and Aplin was on target again before it turned into the Finch Show after the break, as he scored four goals either side of a consolation for beleaguered Budleigh.

Brixham had to work considerably harder in their bid to stay in touch with the leaders, eventually triumphing 3-2 after an entertaining derby at Teignmouth, who are looking far stronger that their current league positions suggests.

Liam McAuley scored the opener for Brixham on eight minutes but the Teigns struck back through Sean Ayre to enter half-time at 1-1 and all to play for in a windy second half.

Debutant Steve Bowker made the perfect start to life in Brixham blue, heading home on 54 minutes to restore the narrow advantage for his side.

The visitors were beginning to enjoy their afternoon and thoroughly deserved what proved to be the winner from

Brixham are fifth after the win over Teignmouth Jack Turek with 20 minutes still on the clock.

At this stage, Teignmouth appeared a beaten outfit but the response was full of character and belief, as Ayre got his second of the afternoon to set up a tense finish.

Seven minutes of stoppage time added to the drama but Brixham held on for the victory, despite some close shaves for Teignmouth.

Newton Abbot Spurs are a side in form and they were outstanding in a second-half masterclass at home to Waldon Athletic on Friday night, although the visitors were celebrating first, as a stunner rom Gareth McEwan broke the deadlock.

Spurs have improved markedly in recent weeks and Will Hancox has often been at the centre of their best work.

Hancox was up to the same old tricks under the Rec floodlights, scoring twice before half-time to wrestle control of the match.

A depleted Waldon looked very weary after the break and it was an open invitation for a physically powerful Spurs to run away with the three points.

Hancox completed his hat-trick and deservedly picked up the man of the match award. Simon Laughton joined the party with number four and Mark Voisey rounded off the evening.

Liverton United continue to search for their first points in the league but battled manfully in a 5-2 defeat at Alphington, despite only having ten players for the match.

It now presents a chance to regroup for Liverton before the daunting task of a home game against Elmore on November 10.

Teignmouth went down 3-2 at home to Brixham on Saturday

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