BOVEY Tracey AFC got back to winning ways in comfortable fashion as they dispatched Bishops Lydeard on Saturday, March 7.

After a short trip to Teignmouth AFC was rained off last weekend, this was Bovey’s first time playing since that remarkable 7-6 home defeat at the hands of fellow title hopefuls Bridport FC.

Leigh Robinson, the man in charge of the Moorlanders for the day as Ben Gerring continues to serve a suspension, admitted that his side “weren’t quite at our best” but “It was a must-win game and so it is simply a case of job done.”

All the same, Bovey started on the front foot and piled on a mountain of early pressure.

Their persistence paid off in spite of the resolute defence ahead of them, Cal Leech and Josh Webber seeing their shots blocked before flying full-back Lewis Perring fired an effort off of his weaker right foot and into the far-side netting from the edge of the area.

The general consensus around the Western Counties Roofing Ground though was that Bishops Lydeard, who were wearing Bovey’s away strip having forgotten their own, didn’t look like a side second-bottom in the Premier East and they responded with a superb finish of their own. Ben Martin put in great work and found Jake DeMiranda whose curling and dipping attempt left Dom Aplin scrambling.

For the home side, this goal was merely a temporary setback with another of their standout defenders putting them back ahead.

Owen Stockton had the ball at his feet on the halfway line and with far too much space in front of him, he took off. The centre-back kept driving and driving and with a defender hanging off the back of him, he picked out the bottom corner, goalkeeper Joseph Hollands clawing at the ball but unable to keep it out.

Bovey’s dominance of the fixture resumed and whilst they came close to a third before the break courtesy of a Bishops defender and then Leech, it wasn’t to be.

As was the case in the first half, Bovey Tracey put their foot down from the off and had another goal to show for it.

Webber, who was a constant threat in the red of Bovey, beat his man over and over again throughout the game and on this occasion, when it looked like a shooting chance was gone, he drilled home at the near post.

The game then entered a bit of lull, Robinson turning to the bench and sending on Levi Landricombe, closely followed by Stuart Bowker and Craig Duff.

A rare Bishops attack in the second-half forced Aplin into an athletic double save amidst calls for offside, keeping Bovey honest at the back.

Webber was the difference maker once more, chopping in and out before finding Bowker with a cross. The substitute forward had his shot saved but it went only as far as Landricombe who could tap home for 4-1.

Practically from the kick-off, a red card debate ensued with the referee awarding a free-kick in Bovey’s favour and nothing more. The hosts were then able to keep the ball under their control and see out a 16th win of their league campaign.

Elsewhere, Bridport went to Crediton United and also prevailed 4-1 so they remain five points clear at the summit having played four more games than Bovey.

As previously alluded to, “It was all about the result” for Robinson and co, particularly after that defeat to Bridport.

He continued, “We could see that the boys were understandably a bit edgy after our first league defeat.

“That sort of game comes in September or October for most teams whereas for us, it’s taken until February to have a little punch in the nose. That’s a compliment in and of itself and it’s not a bad thing that the unbeaten run has gone away because it has become a stigma, growing more and more as the season rolls along.”

Bovey, like the majority of sides at this level, are still trying to re-find their feet after a disruptive few months.

“With games being rained off, we’re yet to get back to our best. Certainly in the final third today, despite scoring four, I thought we were quite poor at times but that is understandable due to the disjointed nature of recent months,” said Robinson.

A mammoth week now awaits as they prepare for a quick turnaround, hosting step-three side Tiverton Town for their long-awaited St Luke’s Challenge Cup on Tuesday night (March 10) before heading into Dorset on Saturday (March 14), looking for revenge against Bridport.

Everyone at Bovey is raring to go now: “We’re in good shape for the week ahead, spirits are obviously still high, we’ve got more or less everyone fit barring anything happening in the days ahead, with the Tiverton game on Tuesday too.

“After that, we’re looking forward to hopefully having the final say next weekend as Bridport had a good win at our place.”