AXMINSTER TOWN 1

TORRIDGESIDE 3

AXMINSTER saw their eight-match unbeaten run ended by Torridgeside.

This South West Peninsula League – East Division game lived up to the pre-match billing as both teams were always going to have a ‘right good go’ at each other.

Both sides started on the front foot with the visitors having the ball in the net on 12 minutes only to see it ruled out for offside.

On 15 minutes, the Tigers should have gone ahead when the speedy Aaron Daniels found himself in a one-on-one position with the visitors’ goalkeeper, unfortunately for the hosts, Daniels failed to produce the required finish and his effort was tame allowing the grateful Torridgeside gloveman to easily make the save.

Five minutes later, the visitors took the lead when their leading scorer Mark Bettis capitalised on some indecisiveness from the Tigers’ backline.

On 35 minutes, Bettis was on hand to again punish the home side’s lack of ability to clear their lines, slotting home with ease from 10 yards past home keeper Ashley Smith for 2-0.

Axminster changed their shape after the break and this caused the visitors all kinds of problems.

On 55 minutes, Nathan Antat’s shot hit the crossbar, with Jon Hurford being the quickest to react to the rebound, joint-manager Hurford powerfully headed home to reduce the deficit.

By now, Ax were really turning the screw with midfield maestro Jacob Rowe hitting the crossbar on 70 minutes.

Time was running out for the Tigers and, on 80 minutes, they were expertly caught out by a quick counter attack. They had numbers back but failed to deal with the slick passing move that allowed the impressive Brian Levien to score his 16th goal of the season and in the process sealing an excellent win for the North Devon side.

Axminster will dust themselves down, train hard this week and look to get three points on Saturday at an improving Newton Abbot Spurs.

Man of The Match: Jon Hurford