WITH a low fog hanging over The Rec, Newton Abbot Spurs picked up another three points in the South West Peninsula League thanks to a convincing victory on Boxing Day, dispatching local rivals Teignmouth AFC 4-0.

The first 20 minutes went by with very little intrigue until a poor tackle gave the referee one of the easiest decisions he will ever have to make. Teignmouth’s Jamie Moore was yellow-carded for clattering into Harry French in the area and then joined in the book by his captain Isaac Reed and Spurs’ Finn Pearse for the melee that ensued.

Tate Breslan-Aggrey stepped up and converted from the penalty spot.

This “moment of madness turned the game on its head” in the words of Teigns manager Liam Jones, although they did have an instant equaliser ruled out by the linesman’s flag.

Having missed two good chances, the youngster French proved third time’s a charm as he curled home Spurs’ second before half-time, making their growing dominance count.

French made it 3-0 shortly after the break thanks to a perfect through-ball from Tom Lobb and then a second Spurs penalty truly put the game to bed. Breslan-Aggrey was hauled down and gave the ball to Owen Green who got in on the scoring act.

In between these two goals, the aforementioned Moore received a second yellow for denying Breslan-Aggrey the chance to breakaway. Finn Pearse could himself have been dismissed at the end of the first half in a similar tussle but this didn’t make a huge difference either way, Jones admitting that his side “Lost all composure and probably should have been four or five down at half-time.”

It was a “real hard one to take” for the visitors although it “epitomises the season” to date, a second red also being shown the way of the Teignmouth bench for something that was said.

The pair will both be at home next on January 4, Spurs welcoming Torrington AFC and Teignmouth hosting Middlezoy Rovers.