Newton Poppleford produced a five-star show to defeat Cheriton Fitzpaine.

The result was all the more impressive given that the Cherries began the day fourth in Fresha League Division Three and the Popples went into the game not having won any of their previous six outings this season.

Adding to the mix was the fact that Popples had sat out the previous two weeks while the Cherries had played, and won, seven days before.

From the first whistle the Popples looked an invigorated outfit. The movement was good, the passing slick and, unlike in all the previous outings this season, the finishing was of the highest order!

The Popples led 2-1 at the break with their goals coming from Matt Rasmussen and Mark Pavey, but had team taken all their chances the game could have been sewn up by half-time!

During the break Popples boss Neil Wood urged his side to deliver more of the same – with better finishing!

The players responded well and, early in the second half, when an Adrian Part long shot, the ball was parried to Scott Atkins who drilled it home.

The Cherries hit back with their second, but that did not rattle the Popples and Rasmussen bagged his second. Substitute David Gwyther made an instant impact, providing the assist for Mark Pavey to net his second and round off the scoring.

Adrian Parr and Mark Hadley were named the Popples ‘Man of the Match’ award.

On Saturday (November 28) the Popples travel to sixth placed Chagford, five places and nine points better off than Wood’s men having played a game more.