Boca geared up for their 'title decider'

THE MEETING between Boca Seniors and North Molton on Saturday will have a huge bearing on the North Devon Journal League Premier Division title race.

Boca's stuttering form continued at the weekend when they were stunned 3-0 by Combe Martin at Hollands Park.

The rampant home side inflicted a third defeat in four games on the champions, casting doubt on their ability to clinch a record fifth consecutive title.

Now North Molton are just one point behind with a game in hand and Boca boss Darren Todd knows his team can't afford to slip up.

He said: "I think it's the title decider on Saturday — for us anyway.

"If they beat us and win their game in hand they go five points clear, then it's out of our hands.

"We're just going through a blip at the moment. I don't know why it is, the harder we try the worse it becomes.

"We need somebody to score off their shin or knee. Don't write us off just yet.

"We've just got to pick ourselves up and give it the big one."

Veteran striker Pete Varley got Combe Martin off to a great start and they would have taken a greater lead into the break had Reid Eccleston not put a penalty wide.

A stunning 25-yard shot from Simon Townsend doubled the advantage and player-manager Danny Turton kept his team on top, saving a penalty from Richard Shannon.

The points were sealed when Townsend sidefooted home after good work from Gavin Pincombe.

According to North Molton manager Dave Peters "the season starts now". He was delighted with the attitude shown by his players in the 1-0 win over Bideford, decided by an early penalty from Nick Jones.

"We had a little chat in midweek and decided we needed to toughen up a little bit," said Peters. "We had gone a little bit soft. It's all to play for now — tense times."

Soon after the spot-kick, referee Julian Turner was forced off with an ankle injury and visiting manager Neil Hole took over in the middle.

Both teams were glad to get the game played and Hole, a level five referee, did well in the difficult job, officiating his own team.

The Robins saw Chris Smailes denied by a great save from Rupert Smith in the first minute.

It promises to be a thrilling end to the season with nine teams still with a chance to challenge.

Georgeham and Croyde won't be winning the silverware but the League's in-form team will certainly have a big say in where it ends up.

After recent wins over Torrington and Boca, the Hammers added Barnstaple AAC to their list of scalps.

Trailing to a scrambled effort from Kyson Chugg, they equalised with a sweet volley from Alex Marks

Ammies' Jack Jenkins then missed the target with a penalty before Dave Newsome won it with an unstoppable free-kick.

Scott Sharp was available again for the Ammies on Tuesday night and he gave them the lead twice against Torrington at Vicarage Field.

Sam Stephens equalised from the spot and was then sent off before 10-man Torrie ended a run of three straight defeats.

Substitute Paul Sullivan stepped up from the reserves to earn a 2-2 draw with five minutes to go.

Old rivals Braunton and Shamwickshire Rovers go head to head in a crunch clash at the weekend too.

Braunton warmed up for that one with a dominant win against Ilfracombe Town after Scott Maynard's opener was cancelled out by a powerful shot from Combe's Rob Taylor.

Mark Sanders (two), Elliot Whitecross and Jason Jones eased them clear 5-1.

And a first-half strike from Shammy's Will Nicholls proved to be the only goal in a bad-tempered game with Bradworthy.

Nicholls and visiting goalkeeper Dean Rogers were both sent off for an altercation in the closing stages.

Brad will find out a bit more about their ambitions in the next three games, against Combe Martin, North Molton and Braunton.

At the opposite end of the table, Morwenstow beat Hartland 3-0 after Will Bryant broke the deadlock from a narrow angle.

Goalkeeper Shane Toase continued his excellent form but was beaten again by an own goal and Noah Evans.

Hartland are now three points adrift of second-bottom Torridgeside who came from behind twice for a draw at Putford.

Kyle Paine and an own goal earned them a point after Dan Wilson and Tom Gleeson put Putford ahead.