TEN-man Newton Abbot Spurs cruised to a 3-1 win over Holsworthy AFC on Saturday, writes Josh Goodman.

Goals from Harry Ford, James Moxon and Toby Pullman earned all three points for Spurs on a day where they were short of seven of their usual first-team players. Jason Jones was sent off following a second yellow card early in the second half.

‘We brought in a couple of the young players; two 16-year-old third-teamers in Aiden Blackie and Mason Dolman, Tom Lobb and Noycey [Callum Noyce] from the seconds,’ explained Spurs boss Marc Revell, ‘and we had Tom Sercombe on the bench because he’s great for the squad and so all things considered, it was a great result. 

‘You wouldn’t know watching us that we were missing so many players because the lads that came in played so well and dominated the game.’

Ford, who has featured off the bench several times in recent weeks, put the hosts one goal to the good before the break. With the game hanging on a knife-edge, Jones was dismissed soon after the restart.

‘We should have been three or four up by half-time and then we got the sending off in the second half at 1-0, which got me twitching a bit,’ Revell admitted. 

‘Jason has shown me what he has got; he brings a different dimension to the midfield because he’s really strong, physical, not shy of a tackle and he has a voice. 

‘We scored straight after the sending-off. Holsworthy never lose by much; they’ve got quite a young, industrious side who just keep working, so I knew the second goal would do the most damage. 

‘We went 3-0 up and then they scored with an absolute worldie. It’s a bit annoying to not keep a clean sheet but three points is the most important thing.’

Moxon added the second goal of the game and his 19th of the season.

Newton sealed the win with a penalty from Pullman, who was not to be outdone in the race for the internal golden boot.

‘Toby had to fill in at left-back; much to his despair as he is chasing the golden boot with Mox [James Moxon],’ Revell said, ‘but Toby took the penalty so that was the only chance he had. Mox took one off of Noycey’s toes so there’s a bit of competition in the squad. 

‘There’s a good spirit at the minute.’

Spurs’ availability issues will be easing over the coming weeks, but it will not be service as usual straight away.

‘Joel [Patchett] won’t be back – he’s still injured; Will [Hancox] won’t be back because he’s suspended; Owen Green is back, Jaden Bond is back, Stu Morgan isn’t, Sam Leivesley I’m waiting on. Lloyd [Gardner] has got some more physio this week and is saying he feels a bit better.

‘We’ve obviously got a semifinal [Walter C Parson Cup against Liskeard Athletic] now that has popped up on the horizon, so you’ll; probably start seeing people become fit and available.