SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: HOT-SHOT striker Barry Flippance grabbed a first half hat-trick as Devizes Town recorded their sixth straight league success with an emphatic victory over Bridport at Nursteed Road on Saturday.

Flippance's treble cemented his position at the top of the Screwfix Direct League Premier Division goalscoring charts and helped Brian Newlands' men record a league double over the improving Dorset side.

Two goals from striker Simon Price and a Simon Drewitt effort completed the rout for the home side, who had previously recorded their biggest victory of the season with a 5-0 win at Bridport in October.

Devizes boss Newlands paid tribute to the talents of 23-goal Flippance and is delighted with the way his consistent frontman has linked up with ex-Melksham forward Price in recent weeks.

Said Newlands: "In all my time at Devizes, I can honestly say Barry Flippance is the best striker I have seen. He is unbelievable and quite often is the difference between the two sides.

"The two forwards were outstanding on Saturday and they are really starting to get it together. Simon Price took a while to get his match fitness after joining us, but they both worked so hard on Saturday and got five between them."

The Devizes manager was without regulars Andy Coombes, David Lloyd, Julian Alexander and Chris Copp for the clash, but saw his side take the lead with less than 30 seconds on the clock when Price stooped to head home a Nick Mooney cross.

Darren Tapper then saw his first time effort fly inches wide of goal before a clever one-two between Flippance and Price saw the former fire past goalkeeper Martin Peters to double the hosts' lead.

The predatory Flippance made it three after only 13 minutes after latching onto a Nathan Perkins throughball and completed his hat-trick with a sublime finish on the stroke of half time.

Simon Gale's goal moments after the restart gave the visitors brief hope of an unlikely comeback, but Devizes' four goal advantage was soon restored thanks to Drewitt's fine solo effort.

Bridport refused to cave in and halved arrears thanks to Tom Gardner's strike through a crowded goalmouth and a penalty from Gale, only for Price to add the last of the game's nine goals after once again linking up with Flippance in the closing minutes.

Home manager Newlands was particularly impressed with his side's first half demolition of their relegation-threatened visitors.

He said: "It was a shame we spoiled it a bit by letting them back into it in the second half, but we were superb in the first half. If we'd have carried on in that vein then it would have been really good.

"I can't remember a better 45 minutes than the first half this season. The stand was packed and they gave us a standing ovation at half time. I haven't seen that for quite a while.

"We scored after 28 seconds and, as soon as that went in, I knew we would go on and score a few. I was confident going into the game but even more so after that."

The result keeps Devizes in fourth spot in the Premier Division table and Newlands will be hoping his side can make it seven wins in a row when struggling Elmore visit Nursteed Road on Sunday, kick off 3pm.

Said Newlands: "We've never had a better run in the Premier Division and any side would be proud of our record.

"We should keep the run going in our next two games against Elmore and Westbury, but it doesn't always work like that.

"As long as we keep approaching games in the right way, then we'll be alright."