Beware of Bovey Tracey and Brixham fighting back in the Southern League

Something special is happening in Bovey Tracey and it has the potential to develop into a landmark season for the town’s football club.

When former Torquay United defender Ben Gerring took over as manager in the summer, he was transparent in his ambitions to try and win the South West Peninsula League title, and words are clearly not cheap with the new boss.

After three months of the league campaign, Bovey are unbeaten and sit top of the table, having won 12 of their opening 13 games.

Last weekend, the league took a back seat, as Corsham Town travelled down from Wiltshire in the FA Vase, the top knockout competition for clubs in Steps 5 & 6, which can ultimately lead to a Wembley final.

There was little between the two sides in a tight first period but Bovey were given the boost of a red card shown to a Corsham defender, and the hosts emerged from the break in spectacular fashion, talented teenager Jack Brimming breaking the deadlock with a calm finish from a Cieran Bridger pass.

Brimming doubled the lead midway through the second period with a superb left-foot strike into the top corner, and he was also involved in number three, squaring the ideal pass for Neil Last to notch his 50th goal for the club.

Victory was completed by Louie Roberts snaffling up the rebound after an initial strike from Stu Bowker had been saved. Corsham did score a late consolation but Bovey were the big story, again.

After a rough recent run, Brixham AFC climbed off the bottom in the Southern League Division One South following an excellent 4-1 defeat of Melksham Town at Wall Park.

Callum Rose gave the Fishermen a slender lead at the break but they were rocked back by a Melksham leveller seconds after the restart. The game was ultimately decided by two goals in six minutes, Aaron Wellington and Charlie Johansen finding the net before Jaden Maslen added late gloss to the win.

Buckland Athletic will welcome Barnstaple Town in the third round of the FA Vase after an extraordinary 12-11 penalty shoot-out win over Millbrook. Ben Carter and Ryan Bush scored the goals in a 2-2 draw, setting the stage for an epic of penalties.

Ben Aldous scored twice and there were further goals from Jesse Howe, Will Hughes and Saul Vanes, as Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police thrashed Middlezoy Rovers 5-1.