Appledore ready to take on Peninsula League leaders

A COMFORTABLE win over Sidmouth Town provided a warm-up for Appledore's biggest challenge of the season.

On Saturday, they travel to Exmouth Town, the runaway leaders of first division (east) in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League.

After nine wins and two draws in their last 11 games, Keith Shapland's team are brimming with confidence ahead of the game.

"We have been talking about it for a long time," said Shapland.

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"It will be the biggest test we have had and we can't wait to get stuck into it."

Appledore will certainly expect a sterner test than the one provided in a 4-0 win over Sidmouth at Marshford. They eased clear against a team without a win all season.

"It was 0-0 after 20 minutes but if it was a boxing match the ref would have stopped it" said Shapland. "Sidmouth were poor and it was a shame the pitch deteriorated so badly because you couldn't play football on it. The only criticism I had was we could have been more ruthless in front of goal."

Jamie Frickleton headed in a free kick from Josh Pearce to open the scoring and Seth Hodorowski clipped in the second from a pass by Billy Tucker.

A foul on Marc Clark allowed Tucker to score the third from the penalty spot before Brian Levien set up Nick Glover for the fourth.

While Appledore are unbeaten since early December, Exmouth have not lost all season and are 11 points clear at the top.

"We did well against Stoke Gabriel, we did well against Budleigh Salterton and now it's the third of the top four," said Shapland. "It will be a good marker for us to know exactly where we are."

Holsworthy put up strong resistance in a 2-0 defeat at Godolphin Atlantic.

Goalkeeper Chris Pearce was in fine form as they held out against the first division (west) leaders until midway through the second half.

Lee Paxton finally made the breakthrough and Pedro Bustello, the Spanish forward, curled the second to send Godolphin 14 points clear at the top.

Holsworthy have confirmed coach John Fenwick will be with them until the end of the season. He stepped in to help last week after the surprise departure of new manager Micky Hunt.

Apart from a short break in the USA, the former Elburton Villa manager will be around to help Steve Lewis and Micky Clarke run the side.

Holsworthy travel to Porthleven on Saturday and are away at Callington Town on Good Friday.

Jordan Charran struck twice as Witheridge came from behind to beat Cullompton Rangers in the premier division.

Charran's second-half double gave the visitors a 2-1 win in the derby after Josh Luxon had put Cullompton ahead in the 22nd minute.

Richard Groom went close with a header in the first half before Charran levelled shortly after half time. In the closing stages, Cullompton felt a long-range shot from Ryan Leverton had crossed the line after hitting the underside of the bar.

But the officials did not award a goal and, two minutes from time, Charran broke away to score the winner.

Cullompton went close to a dramatic equaliser but put a free kick just off target after a foul by Dave Rowe, which saw the Witheridge sent off for a second yellow card.