East Budleigh returned to action last Saturday, beating Newtown on their own patch 8-4 in a thriller, writes Mark Auton. In a close first half, the hosts led 2-1 before the Jays turned it around to lead 3-2.

After the break Budleigh upped the tempo and were dominant all over the pitch, taking their tally to eight, before the home side grabbed a couple late goals. Player of the Match was Brad Hill who scored a hat-trick, whilst Jack Greenslade and Jack Howarth added braces. Toby Hill was the other to find the net.

Budleigh will look to continue in the same vain when they host Hatherleigh on Saturday in Division 1 and Newton St Cyres in the East Devon Cup on Easter Monday.

East Budleigh Reserves were beaten 5-2 by Exmouth Spartans in the Bill Slee Cup and, after trailing 3-0 at one stage, made a game of it against their opponents from a league higher.

Nathan Penahllurick set up Dan Atkinson to side foot home and it was Tom Christian who struck a late second for a side in which Joe Bowden worked tirelessly. The visitors were physically stronger than Budleigh and deserved to progress.