Ashes deservedly beaten at Brixham in Western League Premier Division

SALTASH suffered only their second league defeat of the season on Saturday as a Charlie Shearer goal rewarded Brixham with all three points at Wall Park.

The result leaves the Ashes, who have just lost star striker Henry Donovan to Southern League Premier side Plymouth Parkway, just outside the play-off places on goal difference ahead of hosting Sidmouth Town at Kimberley Stadium this weekend (3pm).

Shearer’s strike came midway through a first half that the home side dominated, while Saltash offered little threat until two minutes into stoppage-time when Joe Preece forced a good save out of Marko Radovanovic.

There was a noticeable improvement in the visitors’ second half performance, but they relied on keeper Jordan Duffey to make several fine saves to keep them in the game.

Ashes boss Lee Britchford said: “It was a disappointing day to be honest with you. When you go to Brixham you know what you’re going to face, and in the first half we weren’t good enough. It was the polar opposite to last week against Bridgwater.

“We were marginally better second half, but ultimately on the metric of chances created they definitely deserved to win.

“We created three good opportunities and weren’t able to take them, and when you’re playing away you’ve got to be clinical.

“We probably cost ourselves because of a poor first half and ultimately that’s the reason we came back with nothing from the game. But we’ll go again and prepare for a tough game against Sidmouth, who have improved significantly since earlier in the season.”

SALTASH UNITED: Jordan Duffey; Jack Jefford (Max Everall, 72), Alfie Wotton (capt), Ben Goulty, Sam Joce, Hayden Greening, Harry Truscott (Dylan Holgate, 55), Fin Wilkes, Owen Davies (George Powell, 55), Freddie Tolcher, Joe Preece (Frazer Ferris, 55). Sub not used: Adam Peters.

Ashes’ man-of-the-match: Sam Joce.