Saturday, February 29

Kitchen Kit South West Peninsula League Premier East

Brixham 4

A DEPLETED Holsworthy were left to rue their inability to take their chances in the first-half as leaders Brixham put four past the Magpies at Wall Park.

Holsworthy arrived in South Devon without four central defenders, meaning manager Liam Dart, who had to include himself on the bench, played a back three of full-back Jack Gilbert and midfielders James Dart and Toby Martyn. Dart also gave a debut to Brad Coates at right wing-back.

Brixham started the brighter in the opening 15 minutes and forced Ryan Walter into a good low save.

Holsworthy have a dangerous strike pairing in Harry Stevens and Marc Bettiss and Stevens twice went close to scoring, first shooting wide when well placed and was then extremely unlucky to see a lob bounce over the bar.

Holsworthy were on top and winger Wes Pugh was unlucky to see his goalbound shot cleared off the line.

To add to their frustration, midfielder Ollie Kenneally was on the end of a poor tackle which the referee deemed only to be worthy of a yellow.

However the Blues are top of the league for a reason and took the lead on 41 minutes as a cross from the left was crashed against the post but fell back out to Reece Somers who buried the opportunity.

Brixham flew out of the traps at the start of the second-half and doubled their lead on 51 minutes as target man Stuart Bowker got to the byline and cut the ball back for Somers to tap in his second from eight yards.

The Fisherman continued to enjoy most of the ball and got their rewards with 20 minutes to go as Scott Robinson smashed in another cross from the left-hand side.

A fourth came on 80 minutes as Finn Robinson smashed in a shot inside the six-yard box from a knockdown at a corner.

Holsworthy were given the chance to pull one back with a couple minutes remaining when Sam Down was upended in the box, but Kenneally saw his penalty easily saved.

Holsworthy are on the road twice in quick succession. They go to Dartmouth on Saturday (3pm) before a long midweek trip to title-chasing Torpoint Athletic on Wednesday night (7.45pm).