Axminster Town's impressive start to the season continued this afternoon with a 2-0 home win over Torrington.

The third victory on the trot keeps them among four clubs vying for the top spot with nine points from three games in the South West Peninsular Premier East Division.

Before the game started a minute's silence was observed in memory of Dick Hurford, father of club chairman Andy Hurford, who died recently.

Dan Prettejohn's squad was without Chris McGrath, who was attending his brother's wedding, and Louis Retter , who could be out for six weeks with a hamstring tear. Shane Fyles made his debut and centre-back Jamie Price was drafted into the squad as emergency cover.

Torrington are a well organised and robust side, but the Tigers were well up for the challenge and looked the more dangerous in the first half with shots from Josh Wadham, Sam Winslade and Jamie Girton all testing the keeper.

Their best chance fell to Jamie Price whose header from a Charlie Wilson cormer was easily gathered by the keeper.

As the half progressed Torrington pressurised the Axminster defence and created a number of half chances.

Five minutes of extra time was added by the referee after a Torrington player sustained a leg injury. Axe took advantage of the extended half when Josh Wadham scored a peach of a goal, weaving himself past two defenders and then side-footing the ball wide of the keeper.

And the Tigers' first half domination was sealed when another Wilson and Price combination provided a second goal with a pin-point corner which the centre back converted with ease.

Torrington raised their game after the break and fought hard to get back in the game, but Axminster defended stubbornly.

The visitors came close to reducing the deficit after they were awarded an indirect free kick in the Axe penalty area for a back-pass just a few feet from the goal line, the ball ending up skimming the bar.

Price had anther chance to head home from a Wilson corner but on this occasion it flew over the bar.

In the closing minutes the tackles were flying in from both sides in the midfield battle that was more intense in the second half and Lewis Wady was red-carded after two yellows for over-enthusiast tackles.

This was no stroll in the park for Axminster who had to show gritted determination to hold onto their first-half lead, but as Prettejohn said in his programme notes, there are no easy games in this league and the Tigers have to learn to play ugly occasionally. This might well have been one of those occasions, especially in the second half.

On Tuesday they will be well tested again when they travel to neighbours Honiton Town, who shipped six goals at Bovey Tracey last Friday. Kick-off is at 6.30 pm.

Axminster Reserves, this season managed by Jamie Barfoot, open their season in Devon and Exeter Premier Division on Wednesday at home to Beer Albion, who lost 1-0 to Kentisbeare this afternoon. Kick-off: 7.30 pm.