Louis Spalding took on the role of super sub as his hat-trick earned Sidmouth a 4-0 win at Torrington in the Peninsula League East.

Sidmouth have lost only one game from twelve starts this season, sit in second place in the table and have games in hand over leaders Cullompton United.

Torrington mounted some early pressure and the game was soon held up for thirty minutes when Sidmouth’s Jamie Vaughan-Ryall picked up a serious arm injury.

Sidmouth took the lead soon after the re-start when a neat passing move led to Ryan Gilpin slipping the ball through to substitute Spalding who finished with a powerful drive.

The visitors were forced to make another change at the break but that did not interrupt the flow and they netted a second goal on 51 minutes when Spalding scored again with a crafty overhead kick.

A superb through ball from Matt Salter then found Spalding on the break and he beat a defender before completing his treble.

With five minutes left Craig Veal got in on the act with Sidmouth’s fourth goal when he scored with a spot kick after a handling offence in the area.

It was a close-run thing at Honiton where the Hippos were narrowly beaten 3-2 by high riding Newton Abbot Spurs.

Honiton fielded a much-changed side through injury and unavailability and went a goal behind early on when Spurs’ Finn Pearce scored with a header.

Moments later the lead was doubled when an error in the Honiton defence allowed Owen Green to bear down on an open goal to slot home.

The home side’s recovery started just before the break as Jordan Harris was scythed down inside the box and Aaron Pearse netted from the spot.

An improved second half showing then led to an equaliser when what looked like a cross from Kyle Howell flew over the goalkeeper’s head and into the top corner.

In a hectic ending, there were opportunities for both sides but it was Spurs who stole all three points when Pearce scored the winner with a header following a corner.

Axminster Town were beaten 4-0 at home to Torridgeside but had their chances to take something out of the game.

The Tigers conceded two goals soon after the start from the visitors’ Ali Ward and Jack Margarotto but had their chances when Oscar Latis was put through and a shot from Bailey Galloway was pushed over by visiting goalkeeper Aiden Craker.

A third goal from the penalty spot by Tyler Evans put Torridgeside three goals clear at the break and the home side’s cause was not helped early in the second half when Matt Brown was sent off after picking up a second yellow card and Latis was sin-binned soon afterwards.

Latis got clear again on his return to send a lob just over the crossbar before the visitors scored a fourth when Evans fully exploited gaps in the Axminster defence.

Axminister Town are at home to Newton Abbot Spurs this Saturday (October 5th) with Sidmouth Town entertaining Crediton United and Honiton Town making the trip to Elburton Villa.