The season is beginning to turn in favour of Budleigh Salterton FC after two great results, one in the league and one in the cup, writes Alan Beer.

The Robins started their week by inflicting a first defeat of the season on the University of Exeter and, after a bright start, Budleigh went close with Jake Chudley pressurising the goalkeeper and the deflection could have gone anywhere.

On 35 minutes, good play between Jacob Tinsley and Oscar Walsh created room for Jack Hocking to open the scoring, and the win was sealed midway through the second period, when Walsh cut inside to supply the perfect pass for Hocking to score on the turn.

It was a great performance from Budleigh and they took that form into the Devon Premier Cup meeting with Plymouth True Blue.

Once again, a strong start was rewarded with the opening goal, Jake Pond heading in from a corner, although his afternoon soon took an unwanted twist, as he was dismissed five minutes later.

Despite being a man down, the Robins extended the lead early in the second half. Walsh latched on to a through ball and rounded the ‘keeper to score. Plymouth pulled a goal back before Budleigh confirmed their place in the next round with a customary strike from Hocking, firing in from the edge of the box.

Budleigh welcome Ipplepen Athletic in the Devon Football League this weekend.

There was more cup success for Budleigh Vets, as they trounced Alphington Vets 7-1, writes Spurs Tom. After conceding a poor early goal, Budleigh levelled through Steve Hitchcock and Danny Williams gave them the lead with an absolute pearl of a shot into the top corner.

After the break, Budleigh were ruthless in front of goal. Andrew Thomson scored his first for the club, James Turner notched with a lovely diving header and there were further goals from Whiteoak, Hitchcock and Tony Pallett for a 7-1 victory.

The good news at Greenway Lane continued with a 2-0 win for the Robinettes over Plympton in the Devon Women’s Football League.

In an open game, Budleigh broke the deadlock with an assured finish from Kelsey Salter and, despite missing a penalty, the points were confirmed when Salter raced on to a lobbed pass and tucked away another composed goal.  

Exmouth Journal: Jack Hocking