LIVERTON UNITED 0

AXMINSTER TOWN 3

AXMINSTER Town took a straightforward 3-0 victory over struggling bottom side Liverton United in the Southwest Peninsula League East Division.

Axminster travelled to the Lillys without the injured Darren Hutchings and Callum Garrett but were delighted to include recent signing 16-year-old Recce McCabe in the squad.

Having not played a competitive match for a month, the Tigers were understandably rusty and failed to do the simple things well in the opening period.

This gave Liverton added belief and, had it not been for an exceptional save in the 15th minute from Ax gloveman Ashley Smith, Livvy would have taken a well-deserved lead.

By the 25th minute, Town had started to tick and took the lead when midfielder Connor Swingler played a delightful ball to striker Luke Finn. The forward’s first touch was exceptional and this allowed him to rifle home from a tight angle.

The Tigers were now in full flow and another Swingler pass set up Finn for his second, the energetic frontman capitalising on some indecision from the Livvy back line for 2-0. Kieran Daniels and Swingler both went close as Livvy were relieved to hear the half-time whistle.

After the resumption, Axminster carried on where they had left off playing some neat possession football which frustrated the home side.

In the 60th minute, Ashley Small brought a smart save from the home keeper, diving at full length to palm a rasping free-kick to safety before Daniels blazed over when well placed.

To their credit, Livvy worked tirelessly to remain in the game but were no match for an enthused Tigers side that scored their third in the 75th minute, a terrific 25-yard strike from Ben Allen ending the contest.

Tigers’ man-of-the-match Charley Skilton hit the post in the 85th minute from a long-range drive and Allen was unlucky not to score his second two minutes from time as the visitors pressed for a fourth.

But Liverton limited the damage, vastly improving on a 10-0 thrashing by Axminster earlier this season.

The Tigers visit Alphington on Saturday (3pm).

Man-of-the-match: Charley Skilton