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Brixington Blues Under-12s enjoyed back to back wins last week in cup and league outings.

After no less than five postponements Blues and Pinhoe Sharks played their KO Cup 2nd Round tie under lights in Exeter last midweek.

Both sides made energetic and lively starts, but it was Blues who enjoyed the best of the early exchanges and took the lead with a strike from James Bridge. Striker Kian Newton tucked away an Adam Jenions cross to double the lead before half-time. After the break Kyle Webb made it 3-0 with Sharks having the final say with a late consolation. Blues, clearly enjoying their floodlit game experience, had a number of excellent individual performances, none more so than those of Lewis Smith and Harry Rowland at the heart of the defence.

Two days after their evening joy Blues travelled to Okehampton for a league game, seeking revenge for a narrow 2-1 defeat in the team’s first meeting this term. In a whirlwind opening Newton fired them ahead inside two minutes. Okehampton levelled, but Newton swiftly restored the Blues advantage, smashing home an excellent Oscar Davies corner.

After the break the home side levelled for the second time, but Blues were quickly back onto the front foot and, with Kyle Webb and Oscar Davies industrious in the middle third, took the lead for the third time with Newton completing his hat-trick. Okehampton again responded well, but got little change out of resolute defenders Owain Brinkworth and Isaac Cretney. However, the pressure eventually told and, for the third time in the game, the home side levelled things up! Blues once more looked for the lead with Tom Pearson influential in midfield and late on, James Bridge struck, to make it 4-3. In the final minute Okehampton looked set to be level again, but Blues keeper Sam Hill made a tremendous save to deny them.

Blues coach Paul Jennions said: “After such a tremendous all-round performance, singling out an individual is a tough job. The Newton treble was key, but then the Hill save late on was so important. They all gave plenty and so, on this occasion it’s the team for Man of the Match.”