Boxing Day bragging rights for Torridgeside

Congratulations to all involved at Torrington FC and Torridgeside for serving up a cracking North Devon derby on Boxing Day.

While the football was occasionally scrappy, the finishing was generally on point, as Torrington led 2-1 at the break but were unable to withstand a T-Sider fightback after the break, with the visitors eventually winning 3-2, largely thanks to a brace from George Shapland.  

There was a Christmas twist in the pulsating Peninsula League title race, as leading contenders Okehampton Argyle suffered a surprise 3-5 defeat at home to Crediton United.

This defeat opens the door a tad wider for Newton Abbot Spurs and Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police, both of whom are within touching distance of the leaders Sidmouth Town.

Stoke host Bovey Tracey in a South Devon derby at Broadley Lane on Saturday, while Spurs overpowered Teignmouth with a 4-0 Boxing Day win, thanks to goals from Harry French (2), Tate Breslan-Aggrey and Owen Green.

That win puts Spurs just five points behind Okehampton and with three games in hand, while Stoke can move to within a point of the Moorland club if they win their two games in hand.

However, Sidmouth remain the team to catch at the top, as they cruised to a 4-0 defeat of Honiton Town on Boxing Day. Cullompton Rangers, in second, and Elburton Villa, still a threat in sixth, have their feet up over the Christmas period.

Axminster remain bottom after going down to a 4-0 defeat at home to Bridport yesterday, while Bishops Lydeard beat Middlezoy Rovers 1-0.