SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: BARRY Flippance blasted his second hat-trick in successive matches as Devizes Town extended their winning run to seven matches at Nursteed Road on Sunday.

Andy Coombes and Nick Mooney were also on the mark for the in-form hosts, who remain in fourth position behind much-fancied trio Bideford, Taunton and Brislington, after their latest success.

Devizes manager Brian Newlands admitted he is running out of superlatives to describe Flippance, who has now bagged 27 goals in 29 league games this term.

He said: "He's unbelievable. They were three crackers he scored and he set Mooney up for his goal as well. He's just in a rich vein of form at the moment.

"I don't think there's anyone in the league I'd swap him for at the moment. He suits our game perfectly and, if we had him two years ago when we won promotion, he'd have got us 50 goals.

"Sides come to us and are obviously trying to take care of him now. That creates space and chances for others and two of the goals came from other areas of the park on Sunday."

Devizes began well against an Elmore side they defeated 4-0 last month and went in front on 15 minutes when Coombes bundled home a Mooney corner.

Seconds later the home side made it two following a strong run by Flippance on the left. His centre found the run of Mooney, and the midfielder coolly planted his shot past the helpless visiting goalkeeper.

Flippance bagged his first of the afternoon on the stroke of half time with a neat turn and shot from just outside the visitors' penalty area, only for Elmore to pull a goal back thanks to Nick Woon's 48th minute spot kick.

Devizes restored their three-goal lead on the hour when Nathan Perkins' right wing corner was nodded into Flippance's path by Nigel Curtis and the former Chippenham frontman made no mistake with a close range header.

Woon quickly pulled another goal back for Elmore, but Flippance's third settled the hosts' nerves ten minutes from time.

Devizes then conceded their fifth penalty in four matches when Dave Hopkins fouled an Elmore forward inside the area, but Paul Thompson was equal to the task and produced a magnificent one-handed stop to his right to deny Woon a hat-trick of his own.

Devizes boss Newlands was satisfied after seeing his free-scoring side continue their long winning streak.

He said: "We're almost expecting to win games at the moment. We know it's got to end sometime, but it is going to take a decent side to stop us.

"We played really well in the first half and, being three-nil up at half time, it reminded me of the week before when we were four-up.

"The second half wasn't as good, but I'd settle for that sort of scoreline every week. The other sides pushing for a top six spot, like Melksham, Paulton and Team Bath, all lost as well."

Devizes begin a gruelling programme of five matches in eight days when bottom of the table Westbury visit Nursteed Road for the first of two derbies for Newlands' men over Easter.

Melksham, 3-0 winners over Newlands' men on Boxing Day, make the trip to Devizes on Monday, before Devizes play host to Team Bath on Wednesday night, kick off 7.30pm.

Said Newlands: "Westbury beat us at this stage of the year last season and they are a potential banana skin for us.

"They will battle hard, but we're obviously clear favourites for the game and just need to carry on with what we have been doing lately. Melksham will be determined to do the double over us on Monday, but we really feel we owe them one.

"I think we have the personnel to beat them and I think there will only be a goal in it. I'm expecting a close game."