Honiton Town thirds push table-toppers all the way

Honiton Town thirds went down 5-2 in their meeting with table-topping Witheridge thirds.

The North Devon took an early lead, but the Hippos levelled via a Ryan Pike penalty – awarded after a foul on Jamie Beck – only to concede a couple of similar goals from lightning-quick counter attacking, and trailed 3-1 at the interval.

The outstanding Nathan Wallace fired Town back into contention, but two late goals gave the score line a harsh look in terms of the Town thinking.

Team boss Andy Pike said: “Witheridge, with their 100 per cent record, pitched up no doubt expecting to win, but the squad we had available was more than capable of winning this game, and despite the score line we matched them across the park for much of the 90 minutes.

“We were undone by a fifth minute goal, conceded as we simply had not settled well enough.

“However, once we found out feet we more than matched them and sprang series of 10-15 passes together which made us look very healthy and confident!”

Pike continued: “The better side won for sure, but it was a closer game than it would seem and we couldn’t have given any more.

“The attitudes from all of the players were superb, including young Charlie Freeman and Cody Knight who waited patiently on the bench for their chance to impact the game.

“Hopefully that’s the two hardest games behind us, we will keep plugging away and if we play this every week we will be absolutely fine.”

On Saturday the Town third team host Chagford (3pm).