Exmouth capable of challenging for title

EXMOUTH Town manager Jody Bolt says he cannot see why his side can't challenge for the title this year.

The King George V outfit destroyed Newton Abbot Spurs 6-2 last weekend to move to within a point of pace setters Okehampton Argyle at the top of Division One East.

And although Bolt is taking nothing for granted in the local derby against bottom side Ottery St Mary this weekend, the Exmouth chief is confident that his team can maintain their current good run of form, which has seen them win 10 out of the last 11.

Bolt said: "I'm delighted to see us in second. At the start of the year we just aimed to do better than last year.

"That wasn't aiming particularly high, but this has been a vast improvement so far and that's brilliant. Better than I expected.

"Right now I don't see why we can't keep that up. I'm quietly confident and just enjoying it."

Former Exeter City trainee Kyle Bassett scored a hat-trick in Town's win over Newton Abbot, while Dave O'Connor got a brace and Ali Sawyer also got on the scoresheet. Ryan Saunders and Mark Smale replied for Spurs, who travel to face fellow strugglers Sidmouth Town on Saturday.

The Vikings will go into that game on a high having beaten Teignmouth 2-1 at the weekend, ending their run of eight consecutive defeats in the process.

Outfield player Jack Knight was forced to play in goal for the majority of the game after regular glovesman Luke Ashford was sent off on 30 minutes for Sid, going on to save Geoff Breslan's second half penalty.

Goals from Andy Thomson and Pete Grover ensured Knight's hard work was not in vain, despite a late Breslan spot-kick halving the deficit. Teignmouth will bid to bounce back at Liverton on Saturday.

Ottery lost 3-1 at home to Totnes & Dartington last weekend, despite taking a 15th-minute lead through Jake Allen.

Alphington manager John Moore is hopeful of having three of his injured players back available for this weekend's 'must-win' game against Galmpton.

Sean Lyne-Ley, Matt Byrne and Des Wilks all look set to return from hamstring strains.

Moore said: "We have got the squad to compete this year but we have had seven players on average unavailable for the last four weeks.

"It is a must-win game on Saturday because we want to stay among the top sides. It's where we want to be."

Alphington go into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Liverton United last week, Stuart Smith scoring the Exeter side's consolation. Table-toppers Okehampton Argyle travel to Appledore on the back of last week's entertaining 2-2 draw with Exeter Civil Service.

Shaun Densham twice put the Foxhayes side ahead but Argyle came back through Luke Alden and Will Hawking, and even missed a chance to win it when James Williams' penalty was saved by Paul Gibbins.

Civil are at home to Stoke Gabriel on Saturday, while Budleigh Salterton take on Totnes.

Crediton United are at home to Wessex Rangers as the sides make their latest bid to get the Devon Premier Cup second round tie played, following two failed attempts in Plymouth.

University of Exeter are without a fixture this weekend, having lost 5-2 to Stoke Gabriel last Saturday.

Mattias Marriott and Michael Dale scored the Students' consolations.