AFTER a break of five weeks without a game due to a Covid-19 scare at the club and lockdown2, Axminster Town supporters were looking forward to the Tigers returning to action against Crediton United at Tiger Way on Saturday.

It has not been the best of starts for Axe in this interrupted season with only two wins and a draw making up their seven points, which leaves them second from bottom in the South West Peninsular League Premier East.

But one of those victories came on September 14 when they travelled to Crediton for 3-2 victory and the Tiger Way hopeful were looking forward their side chalking up their first double of the season.

And it nearly happened with the Tigers leading 2-1 with just minutes to play when the visitors scored a late equaliser, much to the disappointment of the crowd and the Axminster management.

This coming Saturday (December 19th) the Tigers face an even tougher task when they travel to the dangerous Dartmouth AFC who are in eighth place in the Premier East division, having won seven of their 13 games.

Axminster remain second from bottom in the table just above the struggling Stoke Gabriel who have shipped 196 goals in their 17 games.

The Tigers have competed well in most of their games but have failed to capitalise on many of the chances created leading manager Josh Stunnell to bring former top scorer Tony Pinder back into his squad. It was Pinder who got one of the Axminster goals on Saturday, the other strike coming from Joshua Phillips.

Axe have played only 11 of their 36 league matches and they have games in hand over all other teams in the bottom half of the table.

A couple of three-pointers, however, could see them climb out of the danger zone and with the players in good spirits the Axminster management team, which now includes former Yeovil Town striker Warren Patmore, an experienced manager at non-league level, have confidence in the squad to pull matters around as the season gets underway again after the Covid interruptions.

Axminster Reserves continued their 100 per cent record with a 4-1 win at Cranbrook which keeps them top of the Devon and Exeter league Division Two East.