STOKE Gabriel & Torbay Police are now starting to pick up a head of steam under new manager Connor Marshall.

The Bees were winless in their opening four games in all competitions but have since picked up six points in a week.

Whilst the start was by no means seamless, Stoke didn’t concede from open play in the first three and then played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against Ilminster Town.

Both successes in question came at Broadley Lane, Teignmouth AFC being the first opponent for them to dispatch.

Brad Crocombe, formerly of Newton Abbot Spurs, fired Stoke ahead with the superb finish before Leon Aggett restored the parity.

Owen Raven, who also made the switch from Spurs to Stoke Gabriel in the summer, then scored the winner with 10 minutes remaining.

2-1 was the scoreline again when Honiton Town were the Bees’ visitors on Saturday, August 29.

Spencer Bartlett headed the home side in front and with Honiton winning a penalty, Lloyd Marshall came up with a huge save to maintain his side’s lead.

The Hippos did eventually break Stoke’s resolve but Frazer Clarke drilled Stoke towards a second successive win of the season.

Elsewhere in the division, Elburton Villa struck six away at Bishops Lydeard to make it five wins from five, plus Teignmouth, Newton Spurs and Exeter Uni picked up three points each.

Crediton United vs Bridport FC ended all square and the clash between Ilminster Town and Okehampton Argyle didn’t go ahead with the South West Peninsula League citing “player availability” as to why the latter couldn’t fulfil the fixture.

They were deducted one point and the points automatically went to Ilminster- it remains to be seen if this was a one-off issue for Argyle or not.

Next up for Stoke Gabriel is a difficult trip to Adopstar Park, the home of Cullompton Rangers.