Super Stoke trample the Tigers

Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police delivered a ruthless display of attacking football to move into the top five of the South West Peninsula League East Division.

It was always going to be a difficult challenge for visiting Axminster Town, who were beaten 3-0 in the reverse fixture last month and arrived at Broadley Lane bottom of the table.

The home side wasted little time in laying down a marker, Cole Harford squaring for Joe Aldous to convert from close range on four minutes, and Aldous added his second just ten minutes later.

Stoke were in complete control and extended the lead with a strike from Josh Haynes before Harford scored the goal of the game, brilliantly volleying home after a delicious cross from the right by Jordan Thomas.

Axminster fought valiantly and resisted the Stoke pressure until a fifth arrived midway through the second period, substitute Ben Aldous sliding home from close range. Moments later, Ben Aldous doubled his tally with a clever lob over the advancing goalkeeper.

Fellow sub Lucas Robinson provided another demonstration of the impressive strength in depth at Broadley Lane, bewitching the Tigers with a dazzling run that ended with a clear foul and subsequent penalty, converted by Ben Aldous for his hat-trick.

Robinson still had time to complete the 8-0 win with a near-post finish and make it nine league wins on the trot for Stoke, who are next in action when Bovey Tracey visit for a local derby on December 28.

Unfortunately, the news was not so positive for Brixham and Buckland, who both suffered defeats.

It was a rare off day for the Fishermen, who travelled to AFC Stoneham in the FA Vase. The Wessex League hosts proved too powerful on the day and emerged with a 4-0 victory.

Brixham return to the business of chasing down a possible title in the Western League with a trip to St Austell on Saturday and then welcome Ivybridge Town to Wall Park on Boxing Day.

Buckland Athletic missed the chance to close the gap on Brixham with a disappointing 3-2 defeat at home to Oldland Abbotonians.

A sluggish start saw Buckland fall two goals behind in the early stages and it took a while for the home side to find their attacking impetus, eventually pulling one back through Ryan Bush on 52 minutes. Ryan Richards then levelled the scores, but Oldland immediately went up the other end to pinch the points.