Paignton Villa reserves FC 1-2 Malborough & Hope Cove FC

Boro can count themselves lucky to have picked up all three points after an under-par performance against lower opposition. With Danny Gregory and Gary Burman missing, Boro were left short in midfield, and reverted to playing with just three in middle, with the extra man sweeping in defence.

However, this was plan had to be scrapped just ten minutes in when Joby Barraclough had to go off injured following a bad challenge. His replacement, Rob Hutchings, went to the left wind and Mike White pushed up into central midfield.

It wasn’t long before Hutchings made an impact, getting on the end of a cross from Harry Dawson to volley well past the keeper. Boro now started to create chances, and soon after, a cross from Wayne Kovacic was slotted away by Dawson to make it 2-0.

Kovacic could have made it three from a James Whitley corner, but his header was directed just to the wrong side of the post.

As with too many other times this season, Boro were happy to sit on the lead. Almost inevitably, Villa started to play some good football, and threatened when a shot flew just over the bar from just inside the area.

It was a warning that Boro didn’t heed, and just before half time, an unmarked player forced a back post corner over the line to get Villa back in the match.

Boro struggled to get the ball down in the second half, and only created one clear-cut chance, which Dawson sent over the bar following a Kovacic flick. Another goal would have settled Boro’s nerves as nearing the final whistle, the midfield started to tire with two players picking up injuries, and Villa were allowed more time on the ball.

Although they didn’t score, they had enough chances to seal the game for themselves. Strong and sometimes desperate defending from centre backs Richard Bostock and Dan Batchelor ensured that Villa didn’t have free roam of the penalty area.

Come the final whistle, Boro were very grateful to have secured another South Devon Division Six victory. However, with second place Buckland seemingly out of reach, there is a battle on for third spot between three teams and Boro will need to improve their performance to have a chance of making it.