Fishermen flying into Western League play-offs

Brixham AFC have virtually guaranteed a place in the Jewson Western League play-offs after a stubborn 3-2 win over Shepton Mallet at Wall Park.

The Fishermen raced into the lead with a goal from James Moxon, the powerful striker who has enjoyed a fine campaign in Brixham blue, but the mid-table Mallet battled back to level on the half-hour.

Brixham had to wait for a Charlie Johansen goal on 74 minutes to regain the lead, and he doubled his personally tally from the very next attack to confirm victory, despite a late consolation for the visitors.

Brixham now have a substantial 16-point cushion on the side just outside the play-offs, who just happen to be Buckland Athletic, as their stuttering form continued with a 2-2 home draw against lowly Bridgwater United.

In a game packed with penalties, Bridgwater notched the opener from the spot on nine minutes, and the Bucks had to knock on the door a few times before Luke Forward deflected the equaliser past the visiting custodian.

Incredibly, the half ended with a second penalty for Bridgwater, but this time Adam Seedhouse-Evans produced a top save to keep the scores level. The Bucks started the second period with a penalty of their own, converted by Ryan Bush, but the visitors broke home hearts with a stoppage-time leveller.

The Bucks do have games in hand on Paulton Rovers, the side one place above them, but they will need to start winning to earn their place in the end-of-season showdown.

Stoke Gabriel squandered a 2-0 lead in going down to a 3-2 defeat at Bridport in the South West Peninsula League, while Newton Abbot Spurs were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Crediton United, leaving them six points behind leaders Sidmouth Town with one game on hand.