AXMINSTER TOWN 3

BRIXHAM 2

AXMINSTER Town finally ground out the last will of resistance in Brixham to claim a 3-2 win in the Southwest Peninsula League East Division.

The Tigers were buoyed with the availability of centre-back Cameron Vere, who also plays for Bridport, midfielder Ben Allen and new signing Ashley Small.

However, they were without the league’s top scorer Tony Pinder for the game against an in-form Brixham side that started the day one place and three points behind the Tigers.

The game did not disappoint with the two in-form teams going at it toe to toe, Axminster went ahead on the 15th minute through an Ashley Small header.

The visitors created some excellent goal-scoring opportunities but found home glovesman Ashley Smith in inspired form.

On the 30th minute, Smith was finally beaten, Smith failed to hold on to a crossed ball into the box and the on-rushing Brixham player placed home with ease.

Brixham with their tails up pressed for a second, but were caught on the counter by a slick Tigers’ passing move that ended with Small scoring his 15th goal of the season, looping the ball on the half volley over the out of position Brixham goalkeeper.

The second half continued at the same pace, with the visitors starting better but yet again found Smith in a defiant mood.

In the 65th minute, the Fisherman were rewarded for their persistence when they were fortuitously awarded a free-kick 20 yards from goal, as the resultant kick was smashed past the helpless Smith.

Axminster introduced joint-manager Jonny Hurford into the game and the vastly experienced player was the match-winner.

In the 82nd minute, Hurford bulldozed his way past three defenders and volleyed a left-foot shot that rocketed past the bemused Fisherman glovesman and thus won all three points for the impressive Tigers that now sees them up to joint second in the league and with all to play for.

Supporters’ Man of the Match: Ashley Smith & Ashley Small.