Axminster Town returned to the top of the South West Peninsular Premier East Division with a scintillating 5-3 victory over local rivals Sidmouth Town, watched by a crowd of 149 at Tiger way on Friday..

 This game had all the hallmarks of a real local derby: end-to-end tackling, desperate defending, crunching tackles and eight of the best goals you will see this season.

 It was one of the best matches I have seen at Tiger Way in recent times. . There is no doubt that Axminster manager has put together a squad quite capable of winning the Peninsular Premier East Division.  The Vikings, having won just one of their opening four games, are down in 12th position but there was no doubting that they were up for it and with a little more luck in front of goal they might well have forced a draw.

 The action started at a furious pace with the Tigers having a couple of half chances in the opening few minutes. But it was the Vikings who opened the scoring in the tenth minute when Tom Bray made the most of an incisive through ball as he slotted it past keeper Jason Hutchings who got a hand to Bray's first attempt but could not save his second stab at it.

 Axminster looked dangerous every time they surged forward and the inevitable equaliser came in the 21st minute when a long ball to the far post was headed back into the box by Chris McGrath for Jamie Price to nod home.

 The home crowd thought the flood gates might open such was the Tigers creativity up front but the Vikings had other ideas, restoring their lead with a delightful strike into the top corner from outside the box by Ashley Hudd.

 Sidmouth continued to look dangerous on the break but Axe were back on terms in the 34th minute with an excellently placed shot wide of the keeper from outside the box from the ever impressive Josh Wadham to make it 2-2.

 Within minutes the Tigers had taken the lead when new signing Craig Veal scored his fifth goal of the season after he turned on a sixpence and fired home from inside the penalty area. 

 The end-to-end action continued after the break and the Tigers increased their lead with a Jamie Short strike in the 62nd minute but Sidmouth hit back with a well struck penalty by Danny Pym and the 5-3 scoreline was completed when man-of-the-match Craig Veal notched his second.

 Hats off to Sidmouth who tested Tigers in every department with the speed of No 9 Ashley Small always a threat.

 The victory saw Axminster return to top spot with 16 points, one point ahead of Ivybridge Town who have a game in hand.

 Games come thick and fast at this time of the season and the Tigers will be back in action again on Tuesday with a home game against 5th placed Crediton United (kick-off 7.30 pm).