Fremington thump five against North Molton in North Devon League

FREMINGTON have aspirations of returning to the North Devon League premier division next season.

And they rose to the challenge of taking on higher-division opponents on Saturday.

North Molton were bolstered by several players with first-team experience for the senior division clash – but it made little difference.

After a thumping 5-0 win, Fremington manager John Thompson praised his players for their best performance since he took charge in 2010.

Mark Sanders, the left wing back, broke forward to score four and Ryan Crompton got the other goal to finish the job before half time.

"The boys were brilliant," said Thompson. "That's the best I have seen us play since we re-formed."

A cross from Sanders looped in for the first goal and he doubled the lead inside ten minutes with a free kick.

Crompton made it 3-0 and Sanders added two more from a free kick and a penalty.

With Jamie Pow away on honeymoon, Thompson had to play in goal and was well protected by a dominant defence. Tim King had a fine game to keep home striker Tom Marsh quiet.

The race for the title looks set go all the way and Torrington, the leaders, are matching Fremington goal for goal.

They enjoyed a 5-0 victory at Lynton and Lynmouth where Arlo Reddick and Danny Jenkins, with his 11th goal in three games, made it 2-0 by the break.Kai Dymond weighed in with a second-half hat-trick, including a header and a penalty after a foul by Chris Peacock.

It was a good afternoon for Kai's brother Aaron too, the goalkeeper keeping his ninth clean sheet and leading the way for the league's golden gloves award.

Lynton, without four regulars, had Paul Hopkins in goal and competed well until Torrie took control in the second half.

Connor Nash and Sam Phillips were back from Barnstaple Town to boost Barnstaple FC's title challenge in intermediate one.

Nash announced his return with a clinical finish against Northam Lions, then turned provider for his uncle, Tom Nash, to make it 3-0 by the break.

Alex Charlton and Ali Bright brought Northam back before Phillips and an own goal restored the three-goal cushion.

Connor Nash followed up a shot from Andrew Parkhouse, completing a 6-2 win with his 29th goal of the season.

Torridgeside maintained their promotion push with six goals – but not without a scare against Clovelly.

Simon Reid scored a free kick and Nick Brazier hit two goals, including a fine solo effort, to put the visitors 3-1 up by half time.

Simon Grigg got Torridgeside going before strikes from Shaun Kenneally and Andy Stevens, the two old heads in a team of youngsters, turned the match.

The comeback was completed with two late goals from Jethro Kimber, who rounded off his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

Hartland made it five wins in six games after Richard Davey set them on the way to a 3-0 success at High Bickington.

Adam Symons followed up a shot from Joe Dakin to double the lead and Jack Coleman dribbled in from the wing to drill the third.

Despite falling behind to a bizarre own goal from Andy Blanche, Fremington had few problems against Buckland Brewer, winning 5-1 in intermediate two.

The match was switched because Fremmy's pitch was unplayable and Buckland made a bright start with Blanche smashing an attempted clearance into his own net.

Two goals from Josh Hooper turned the tide and Russell Ovey marked his debut after signing from Pilton Academicals with a cracking strike.

The hosts had chances with Aiden Clarke and Calvin Marlow going close but Melvyn Cassidy headed Fremington's fourth and Hooper completed his hat-trick with a penalty.

Leaders Putford had to settle for a point against Woolsery after taking the lead through Mike Merrick. Jamie Robertson, the player-manager, grabbed the equaliser to give Woolsery a 1-1 draw.