Honiton Town turned on the style in a 5-1 trouncing of Torridgeside in the South-West Peninsula League East Division.

The Hippos dominated the early exchanges, Kyle Howell going close to the opener before Aaron Pearse forced a top save from the home custodian with an angled shot.

Despite creating numerous chances, Honiton were unable to make the breakthrough and there was a sense of relief when Howell supplied Chris Long to fizz a fine finish into the bottom corner.

Honiton doubled their lead seven minutes before half-time, when captain Owen Hank planted a towering header into the Torridgeside net.

The decisive third goal arrived on the hour and it all stemmed from a magical Ben Ede pass releasing Pearse, who kept his nerve to slot past the advancing goalkeeper but he then denied Pearse a quickfire second with a top save.

After a decent spell for the hosts, Honiton broke free to make it 4-0, Fin Tucker finishing off a fluid team move. Salt was rubbed into the Torridgeside wounds when Ede delivered another delightful set-piece for Pearse to head home before a late consolation for the hosts.

Axminster Town suffered a rare poor afternoon in the SWPL, as they were overpowered in a 5-1 defeat at home to Ivybridge Town, who lead the table by a point from Bridport. Axminster remain in third.

Following the midweek trip to Sidmouth, Axminster have a tough game at Newton Abbot Spurs on Saturday, while Honiton are at home to Bovey Tracey. Elsewhere, the brave FA Cup run of Okehampton Argyle finally came to an end with a loss to Highworth Town.

Beer Albion went through to the 2nd Round of the Devon Premier Cup on a walk-over, as their scheduled opponents, Lee Moor FC, were unable to raise a side.

Beer Albion 2nd’s made it two wins from two starts this season, grinding out a 1-0 victory away at South Zeal last Saturday writes Richard Honnor. A first-half penalty from Simon Smith gave the Fishermen the edge in an evenly-matched contest. Both sides contributed to a fast-flowing entertaining match.