Tipton St John chalked up a sixth win in nine Macron League Division Three games with a 4-1 home win over Lympstone.

Adrian Small scored a hat-trick and the other Tipton goal was netted by Lee Strawbridge.

What made the result all the more impressive was that a ‘stag trip’ left Tipton having to reshuffle their pack and field a much changed team.

Teenager Conor McNamara Campbell made an impressive debut. The 16-year-old was unlucky not to get on the score sheet. He was a thorn in the side of the Lympets’ back line all game and he did come off the pitch at the end with a debut ‘assist’ to his name.

Tipton did suffer a big blow in the game with the loss of Joe Blackmore to a nasty injury that is set to keep him out of action until the new year.

Tipton player-coach Dale Strawbridge said: “Despite ringing the changes with the stag weekend trip, we were good value for the win. Ash [Small] was typically clinical with his finish and young Conor impressed throughout.”

As for the derby with Ottery St Mary this weekend, Strawbridge says: “We treat every game as a ‘big game’, but this one with Ottery does, of course, carry extra significance. However, ultimately, we won’t change our approach and will play our game. We don’t look down the table. We are just focused on getting three points and getting closer to the current front runners in the division, Priory.”

Tipton, who are seeking a league ‘double’ over their neighbours, having won the August 30 meeting at Ottery 3-1, will be without Joe Blackmore for the derby, but they do have master marksman Ash Small available and Jake Allen, who started the season with Ottery, will also be chomping at the bit to take on his old team-mates. Kick-off at Tipton is 2.15pm.