Brixington Blues survived relegation after a tense winner takes all game against Honiton.

The game, which decided who stays in the top division, was a must win for both camps - and it was nervy from kick-off.

It was evenly matched in the first half, but the Blues grew into the game with early chances falling to Harry Tooby, who went close on a few occasions and was unlucky not to score.

Brixington’s midfield started to string passes together with Josh Tompkinson battling for every ball, and Ryan McCann in front of defence ensuring the Blues remained solid at the back.

Honiton did press though and Evan Clark, between the sticks, made two great saves to keep the score level and the Blues in the hunt.

Thomas Brooking was typically determined in defence and was well support by Harley and Taylor Westaway who made sure there were no easy chances for Honiton.

With time running out in the first half, the Blues looked most likely to score with Josh Tomkinson taking on two players, finding the pass out wide to Will Palfrey who put a teasing cross in the box for Harry Tooby to control and attempt to a cheeky chip over the keeper, but the ball went agonisingly wide.

In the second half, the Blues’ efforts soon paid dividends with Ned O’Mahoney winning the ball in the middle of the park and, having seen Oliver Dawkins make a run down the left, Ned chips ball over the top for Oliver Dawkins to run onto and cooley slot past the goalkeeper for 1-0 on 52 minutes.

The Blues didn’t keep their lead for long though, one minute later Honiton broke and had the ball in the net to equalise and ensure a nervy last half an hour to the game.

They went looking for the winner and had a number of close chances with Oliver Dawkins almost scoring directly from a corner and Jadyn Murphy trying an outrageous overhead kick which went just over the bar.

Harry Tooby thought he’d scored with a screamer of shot rattling Honiton’s crossbar for the second time.

As the tension was building, Brixington broke forwards causing chaos in the box, Will Palfrey tussled with the keeper and managed to get the ball into space for Hussein Hamed to smash home a great goal and take the lead 2-1 and move the Blues out the relegation spot and back to safety.

Exmouth Journal:

Honiton were now looking at relegation and poured forwards to look for an equaliser which would be enough for them to stay up.

Frank Shelton won the ball in defence and played in Hussein Hamed, but he was caught offside.

Honiton had a great shot well saved by Evan Clark and the Blues looked to run down the clock with Frank Shelton and Ned O’Mahoney were keeping the ball in the corner inviting Honiton to come and take it off them.

With less than five minutes to go, Honiton did and won a free kick on the edge of the area but shot over the bar.

The Blues broke and thankfully the referee blew for time to cue celebrations from Brixington who are staying the top division.