NEWTON ABBOT Spurs have an early chance to bounce back from the disappointment of Monday's late defeat at Exeter Civil Service when they entertain Galmpton United at the Newton Recreation Ground tonight (7.30), writes Mike Sampson.

Spurs boss Paul Dyson has got his young side playing attractive football but they need to add a toughness to their game after they were out-muscled by Civil in Monday morning's encounter at Foxhayes.

Dyson's side were leading 2-1, and had missed a penalty, when Civil scored twice in the final five minutes to condemn them to their first defeat of the season and deny them a chance to move to the top of the table.

"We were a bit naive but we are learning and there were parts of Monday's performance that pleased me," said Dyson.

"On a positive note we played well in the first half and were 2-1 up with five minutes to go against one of the fancied teams and that gives me a base to work on as the average age of Monday's team was 23, which is young but we will get there," concluded the Spurs' boss.

Spurs will be missing unavailable skipper Sean Woodward, Ian Tyson (ankle) and Adam Dyson (holiday) but the rest of Dyson's squad are fully fit.

Galmpton, who have dropped the Gents tag, go into the game fresh from their 1-0 success over Axminster which was their first victory of the season.

"More of the same is what I'm looking for after Saturday's good performance," said Galmpton joint manager Steve Parkin.

"We go into the game as underdogs but we will be up for the challenge and hopefully put in a good performance," he added.

Galmpton will be without the suspended Steve Bowker while James Ledgerwood-Barr is attending a wedding but Paul Mayer returns, after missing last week's game due to his holidays, and Jason Heath is free of work commitments.

Parkin is hopeful that Lee Dorsett will be available to take charge of the dug-out explaining: "Lee has probably been our best signing as without him in the dug-out Richard (Ridley) and myself would not be able to play."

Meanwhile, Spurs have announced that Plymouth Argyle will visit The Rec next Tuesday night (September 7) to mark the official opening of the floodlights.

STOKE GABRIEL will be determined to make it three on the trot when they travel to Foxhayes tomorrow to take on an Exeter Civil Service outfit boosted by Monday's victory over Spurs.

"Hopefully it will be a good game and it will be interesting to see which Stoke Gabriel team turns up because if it's the one that has played in our last two matches then we will give Civil a good game," explained Stoke joint-manager Jason Couch.

Stoke will be without skipper Mark Newbould, who is unavailable, but the influential Kevin Wills returns from his holidays and goes straight in to the squad that travels to Exeter.

Andy Cormack missed last week's victory over Bickleigh, due to a training course, but he is also available for the game against an uncompromising Civil outfit.

"Civil will try to dominate you and talk you out of the game but you have to ignore that and concentrate on the football," explained Couch who is confident that his side can return to South Devon with a result.

LIVERTON UNITED are looking to end a run of two consecutive draws and find their first victory of the season when Ottery St Mary provide the opposition at Halford.

Managers Alan Hext and Tony Bowker have Dan Harrity unavailable but Adam Shobbrook and Stefan Shrubb are both available.

"We had a couple of players let us down at the last minute for our last game and we're not happy with the commitment of some of the players at the moment," said a dissatisfied Bowker.

"We've probably got a better squad than last season but we are not gelling at the moment. But it's only the third game of the season so we will sort it out.

"This time last season we didn't have any points so we are better off and hopefully we can get three points tomorrow because we need them," he warned.

"Ottery will not lie down and die but we've got some experienced players here and I'm not putting any pressure on the players but they are putting pressure on themselves. That is because their expectations are high but they have to relax a little and stop panicking if they are not two or three goals up in the first 15 minutes," concluded Bowker.

TOTNES AND DARTINGTON will be under no illusions that North Devon outfit Appledore will provide them with another stiff test when they arrive at the Foxhole Sports Ground tomorrow.

The North Devon Fishermen have won both their opening games, beating Alphington (3-0) and Crediton (3-1) but they will face a Tots side that will be determined to end a run of two consecutive defeats.

Tots' manager John Gayle is asking for patience saying: "It's early days and a learning curve for everybody at this time of the season.

"We are playing good football and its all about making the right decisions but we must keep doing what we are good at," he explained.

"It is always tough against Appledore, who are unbeaten, but we have to concentrate on our own game and if we do our jobs properly then we are capable of beating anyone in the league," added the Tots' boss who has a full strength squad to select from.