Brixham keep survival hopes alive with superb win at Melksham Town

Brixham were in must-win territory when they travelled to Melksham Town on Saturday after successive home defeats left the Fishermen in serious relegation trouble.

The Southern League was always going to be a huge step up but Brixham are still fighting, as demonstrated by the 3-2 triumph at Melksham, one of the clubs they need to catch if they are to pull away from the bottom four.

Jordan Ewing opened the scoring for Brixham, heading in a deep cross from Fin Herbert, but the hosts struck back with a lovely finish.

The Fishermen were given a major lift when the home goalkeeper was sent off for a handball outside the area and former Torquay United winger Jake Andrews was forced to don the gloves.

To his credit, Andrews made a fine save from the resultant free-kick, but he had no answer to Cole Harford, who pounced on a loose ball to convert from a tight angle. Aaron Wellington gave Brixham a late cushion, which was needed, as Melksham did grab a consolation.

The Fishermen are still four points from safety but they do have games in hand on some of their rivals, and a massive home fixture against Bideford this weekend.

Buckland Athletic remain in the Western League play-off picture after a comfortable 4-1 win at lowly Oldland Abbotonians, the goals coming from Jack Baxter, Isaac McCue, Ryan Bush and Luke Forward.

It has been a tough week for Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police, bowing out of the League Cup with a narrow loss to Cullompton Rangers followed by a 2-0 home defeat to Newton Abbot Spurs.

South Devon College are into the final four of the National Cup after a fabulous 3-2 success at Bridgwater.

The Torbay students fell behind in the first three minutes but fought back and Toby Hard levelled on the stroke of half-time with a fine finish into the corner.

SDC then grabbed the lead through Jonah Shaw, latching on to a long ball over the top and executing a terrific volley past the advancing goalkeeper. The third goal was a superb team move, finished off by Hard.

Bridgwater set up a tense finish but there was no doubt the SDC lads deserved the win and they now await their opponents in the semi-finals.