Newton Abbot Spurs bested by an excellent Elburton side

NEWTON Abbot Spurs were under the cosh on Tuesday evening (October 6), on their way to a home defeat against an excellent Elburton Villa side.

Villa had Levi Landricombe to thank for their victory as the former Bovey Tracey AFC forward, who won this league’s golden boot last term, notched a hat-trick at The Rec.

It looked as if they’d made the best possible start when Harvey Coggins, who also wore a Bovey shirt up until recently, headed in from a set-piece only for the linesman’s flag to deny him.

Elburton really had their hosts penned in for the opening 10 minutes and with Spurs’ goal living a charmed life, a mistake from teenage goalkeeper Harry Meaden proved the difference.

He was unable to hang on to a dangerous cross and Landricombe stole in to convert before the ball had even bounced.

The response from Spurs to this early barrage was mightily impressive as Will Hancox struck a perfect free-kick that dipped in and under the crossbar, restoring parity in the process.

It was then the turn of new addition Brodie Simpson to make an impact and after troubling the Villa backline a couple of times, his quick feet won a penalty.

Jesse Howe stepped up but goalkeeper Tyler Coombes was equal to his attempt, diving away to his right and saving well.

Despite this golden opportunity being passed up, Spurs were enjoying a marked improvement and all was to play for moving into the second half.

After a pretty uneventful first 15 minutes or so, Elburton struck with Landricombe reacting first to a rebound from a strong Meaden save.

Both pre and post-goal, Spurs boss Matt Hayden rang the changes with Lewis Breslan, Albie Baker, Mason Dolman and Aiden Blackie entering the fray, replacing Tyler Yendle, Dev Webb, Harry Page and Howe respectively.

At this stage, Elburton went up another gear in their dominance and play was taking place at only one end of the field.

There were a pair of huge chances which Spurs smashed clear from the goal-line, whilst Simpson headed a bouncing ball just wide when the home side made a rare foray forward.

With his brother Sam having been booked earlier for grappling, goalscorer Will Hancox talked his way into the sin-bin for the final moments.

Elburton were able to wrap up the game and Landricombe able to wrap up his hat-trick, sweeping home a low cross in added time to secure the three points.

Hayden labelled the victors as “One of the best teams in the league” and added that: “We contained them to a certain extent.”

On two major talking points, he noted: “The first goal was a bit of a howler on our part but it’s the first mistake young Harry has made since he’s come in and it happens, you see it at all levels.

“I couldn’t really see the penalty from the angle I was at to be honest so I don’t know how good a penalty it was but I can’t put it all on Jesse because we had other chances to go ahead and didn’t take them.”

Discussing the penalty miss and the shift in momentum that came with it, Hayden said: “The game would obviously have changed [had it gone in], we go in with our tails up. We have something to hold on to and something to really dig in for.”

The club are “Trying to rebuild within a matter of days” (more on that to follow) and Spurs’ attentions now turn to a lengthy trip up country to face Wantage Town in the first round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday, October 10.

“Everyone loves a Vase game and a coach trip, so I don’t think the lads need motivation going into it, I think there will be plenty of that already.”