Witheridge Reserves 5, Newton Poppleford 1 The Popples were hit by unavailability and travelled for the game with a bare 11, writes Ken Woodsford.

On a windswept Witheridge ground the Popples showed fantastic spirit and commitment, giving their best display of the season, only to concede three goals, through tiredness and lack of concentration, during the last fifteen minutes.

The visitors tested the home keeper with five good efforts during an even first half, and were unfortunate to go into half time a goal down, from a quick counter attack in the forty third minute.

Witheridge made it 2-0 in the fifty-fifth minute, and further late goals followed from two soft headers by unmarked attackers, and an unfortunate deflection off the defensive wall from a free-kick, with Stewart Pile replying with an excellent chip from outside the area.

Tom Clay, Leigh Adey and Zak Harwood all put in a good shift, and produced their best performances of the season, and the ever reliable Matt Tett and Joe Clarke in midfield, and keeper Alex Bowring, never stopped encouraging their more inexperienced team mates.

On Saturday Newton Poppleford make the short journey to play Exmouth Amateurs in a Fresha League Division One game (2.15pm).