Honiton Town claimed their fourth win of the South West Peninsula League Eastern Division campaign and also kept their first clean sheet of the league season, beating Teignmouth 3-0 at Mountbatten Park on Saturday.

After a week of more availability issues had ended with the arrival of Storm Callum left Town manager Kev Blackwell, who was left top make some tough selection decisions, sending his charges out to do battle against a visiting side that started the day sitting just below the Hippos in the table.

The Town players responded to their manager’s request that they play with greater belief and resolve than of late, with a controlled first half performance that, despite it not bringing any goals, had seen the home side looking the more likely to break the deadlock.

There was more of the same controlled, slick passing play in the second half and the goal that the Hippos had been threatening since the first whistle finally arrived with Aaron Doble applying a clinical fashion after a brilliant team move. Blake Freemantle doubled the lead with a terrific solo run, but the goal of the game was scored by Chris Long who lobbed the keeper from 30 yards.

Town boss Kev Blackwell said: “It was probably the most rounded performance with some particularly notable displays.

“Again Kieran Conway stepped between the sticks and looked so confident while Lewis Couch gave an assured performance as did his defensive partner Darren Witt.”

Joe Gamblin, from Chippie Joes, gave his Man of the Match award to Jack de Winton, who was outstanding at left back.

Backwell added: “Without wishing to put a dampener on things, after a performance such as this we must remind ourselves that we have a long way to go and a lot of hard work to do, particularly after our two previous matches and that’s exactly what we must do in our next run of games, we go again with the same attitude, effort and desire.”

Town are back in action on Wednesday night when they visit third-in-the-table Bovey Tracey who won 6-1 at Axminster Town on Saturday. Kick-off for the midweek game in South Devon is 7.30pm. Then, on Saturday (October 20), Town make the short trip across to Budleigh Salterton for another league game (3pm).