BOVEY Tracey AFC were certainly second favourites when they welcomed high-flyers Bridgwater United to the Western Counties Roofing Ground on Saturday, November 7.

Anything can happen in football though and the Moorlanders put in a “monster performance” in the words of their manager Ben Gerring, to secure all three points.

Cal Leech fired Bovey ahead on 22 minutes after great work from the in-form Josh Webber and Ollie Aplin only for Bridgy to hit back with half an hour gone, Will Collins grabbing his customary goal.

Stuart Bowker restored the lead for the hosts before the break and they were then able to get the victory over the line.

In Gerring’s words, in the “second half [they] defended like men, stood up to a strong Bridgy side and I’m so proud of how we dug in together.”

This win doesn’t actually move them up the standings in the Jewson Western League but with their upward trajectory, Bovey look sure to push into the top-half sooner rather than later.

Hot on their heels are Saltash United and Brixham AFC, who scored four goals apiece on the weekend.

The Fishermen overcame Brislington FC whilst Saltash put Bovey’s rivals Buckland Athletic to the sword at the Kimberley Stadium.

Deacon Thomson and Kieran O’Melia both notched first-half braces to really lay down the law in Cornwall with Buckland “well and truly humbled” according to manager Matt Cusack.

On Twitter, he added: “We were punished for not doing the basics well enough off the ball as a collective” before issuing an apology to all travelling supporters.

An injury to Fin Herbert is a further blow to the Yellows who will now look to regroup before welcoming Shepton Mallet to The VX3 Stadium on Saturday, November 14.

Bovey meanwhile face the first of three trips to St Blazey this month.