With no recognised keeper available Axmouth United’s manager Asa Sandman took the gloves himself for their Devon Senior Cup match with visitors Newton St Cyres, writes Chris Salter.

Axmouth started well, but fell behind in the ninth minute to a close-range effort that stand-in keeper Sandman had no chance with, and, 10 minutes later he could only manage to get a palm to a free-kick that ended in the bottom corner of his net.

Axmouth remained very much in the game and the visitors’ keeper pulled off a good save from Charlie Clarke, pushing his shot against a post, but half-time arrived with the score still 2-0.

Axmouth changed their shape for the second half and this almost immediately brought success when Charlie Clarke had another shot saved by the visiting keeper. Axmouth’s man of the match Reece Hales was now taking control in the middle and when a good run from Dave Clarke resulted in a penalty it was Hales that calmly finished, putting Axmouth right back in the game.

Encouraged by this Axmouth applied more pressure and created some good chances, but midway through the half came the game’s defining moment when a goalmouth melee saw Axmouth reduced to ten men.

It should also have led to Axmouth getting a second penalty, but the referee said afterwards he did not see what caused the incident.

Axmouth were still in contention and were awarded another penalty only for it to be then overruled by a contentious offside flag.

Ten minutes from time Newton St Cyres went 3-1 up from a rather soft penalty, and deep in stoppage time they added a fourth to give a score line that certainly did not reflect what was a closely contended game.

Manager Asa Sandman said he felt the scoreline flattered the visitors and there were positives for his lads to take from the game.

They would now look forward to returning to league action away to Budleigh Salterton 2nds this Saturday (September 22).