NEWTON Abbot Spurs extended their unbeaten Peninsula League run to six matches with a 3-1 win over Bishops Lydeard on Saturday.

James Overy netted for the second time in three games since joining Spurs and was joined on the scoresheet by Owen Green and Toby Pullman. Oscar Albano provided the only joy for Lydeard in game in which they ‘never threatened,’ according to Spurs boss Marc Revell.

‘Saturday was comfortable,’ he said. ‘Bishops are down the lower end of the table but they’ve stayed in games and they’ve not been really easy to beat. 

South West Peninsula League Premier East. Newton Abbot Spurs versus Bishops Lydeard. 3-1 win for  Spurs
Lydeard defenders watch on as a Spurs shot sails just over the bar. (Steve Pope/MDA)

‘I know they’ve had a couple wallopings but that’s when teams have scored quite a few early on. Bishops drew 1-1 with us last week because they stayed in the game despite having many chances against them that should’ve gone in and they got a goal and their tails were up. 

‘That nearly happened this week; we were cruising at 2-0 and very comfortable, Kit [Glanville, goalkeeper] made a howler and they got back in the game. We quickly scored but we never really looked threatened against them. 

‘We’ve lost one in nine but we’ve got a run of tough games now to see where the lads are at.’

The reverse fixture was played only four days prior, when Newton travelled to Somerset and only managed a 1-1 draw.

‘I kept the same thing going with Saturday because we’ve got all these young lads in the squad that do what they’re asked to get on to do and try to be supportive of the front three,’ said Revell. 

South West Peninsula League Premier East. Newton Abbot Spurs versus Bishops Lydeard. 3-1 win for  Spurs
Spurs full-back Jaden Bond brings the ball forward. (Steve Pope/MDA)

‘I didn’t feel I had to change our approach because if our approach is right and our commitment levels are right then we don’t really need to ever worry about other teams – I never do that.’

Among Saturday’s scorers was substitute Pullman. The sprightly forward boasts a tally of 12 goals for the season but Revell was not readily dishing out praise.

‘Toby was criminal Saturday because I brought him on when were were 2-0 up, Bishops then scored, then Toby scored and then he had two chances to put it on a plate for Callum Noyce – just set it up and square it – and Toby took the chance on. 

‘It frustrates me because I think these lads want all the glory for scoring goals so they can go home and put a little football beside their name on social media, rather than just being comfortable with what they’ve done for the team. That’s a massive young person’s thing. 

‘Some of my lads would rather score three and lose than get an assist – that’s just the mindsets of young lads nowadays.’