Goals dominate in the Western League as Portishead hit sixteen in a week

Goals came thick and fast in the Western League Premier Division this week. Portishead Town beat Street 8-0 at Bristol Road on Tuesday 29 September, then beat Tavistock Association 8-2 on Saturday. Aysa Corrick was named man of the match against Street, with five assists and a goal. The club called it one of the best individual performances of the season from their newest attacker. Against Tavistock, skipper Kyle Egan was the sponsors' choice, praised for a sublime finish on the final goal.

Street had no respite. They lost 4-0 at Bovey Tracey on Saturday and described it as another frustrating away day, adding that they had to stick together and focus on the next game. Bovey's manager, Ben, had said when he signed defender Shane White that the club needed to address the fact they were conceding too many goals. White and Jamie Rickhuss, a local defender, have both arrived recently, and Bovey kept a clean sheet. Louie Roberts and Owen Hanks shared the player of the match awards.

Tavistock's own week was patchy. They won 2-1 at Buckland Athletic on Wednesday, but their account of the Portishead defeat spoke of a harsh score for young lads and a patched-up side. They are under new first-team manager Connor Marshall, who joined from Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police.

At the top, St Blazey won 7-1 at Wellington AFC. Kai Burrell scored three, Tallan Mitchell two, and Olly Redd and Jack Calver one each, which kept the club's unbeaten league record intact. Bridgwater United are first after a win at Newquay, having drawn 1-1 at St Blazey the week before. They went behind early that day, played with ten men after Lloyd Mills was sent off, and had a late Will Collins goal ruled out for handball. Off the pitch, vice-chairman Adrian Byrne stood down, citing personal circumstances and health reasons.

Elsewhere, Brixham beat Wells City 2-1, and Sidmouth Town won 3-1 against Brislington, with Danny Pym scoring a stunning free kick. Buckland Athletic drew 1-1 with Liskeard Athletic when Isaac McCue equalised from a free kick at the death. Oldland Abbotonians drew 1-1 at Radstock Town, with Trey equalising late after the hosts had conceded early. Shepton Mallet shared the points in a 2-2 draw.