Oke Argyle slip up in tight title race

There was a Christmas twist in the pulsating Peninsula League title race, as leading contenders Okehampton Argyle suffered a surprise 3-5 defeat at home to Crediton United.

This defeat opens the door a tad wider for Newton Abbot Spurs and Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police, both of whom are within touching distance of the leaders Sidmouth Town.

Stoke host Bovey Tracey in a South Devon derby at Broadley Lane on Saturday, while Spurs overpowered Teignmouth with a 4-0 Boxing Day win, thanks to goals from Harry French (2), Tate Breslan-Aggrey and Owen Green.

That win puts Spurs just five points behind Okehampton and with three games in hand, while Stoke can move to within a point of the Moorland club if they win their two games in hand.

However, Sidmouth remain the team to catch at the top, as they cruised to a 4-0 defeat of Honiton Town on Boxing Day. Cullompton Rangers, in second, and Elburton Villa, still a threat in sixth, have their feet up over the Christmas period.

Axminster remain bottom after going down to a 4-0 defeat at home to Bridport yesterday, while Bishops Lydeard beat Middlezoy Rovers 1-0 and Torridgeside took the North Devon bragging rights with a 3-2 victory at Torrington.