DEVIZES Town Reserves joint-manager Adam Bewley said there were positives to be taken away from Saturday’s ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ performance against league leaders Shrewton United.

In the only game to take place over the weekend, it was Shrewton who were able to extend their advantage at the summit with a 4-1 success.

Two defensive slips and a free-kick in the first half saw the hosts take a three-goal advantage into the break.

However, a penalty when Rory Davis was barged to the floor saw the home side reduced to 10 men and Brad Whitbread cut the deficit.

With the man advantage, the visitors then dominated. Davis struck the woodwork and Shrewton twice having to clear off the line.

But a long ball forward has caught Devizes out and Adam Walters could do little to prevent Shrewton restoring their three-goal lead.

“I didn’t think it was going to be on with the weather but Shrewton’s pitch held up really well,” said Bewley.

“First half there was no other word for it, they dominated and we produced very little.

“You could tell they had a lot of ex-Western League players in their side and we had a very young team again.

“I thought overall they deserved the win but the 4-1 scoreline is a bit harsh on the performance we put in, especially in the second half.

“It was very much a Jekyll and Hyde performance.”

Devizes have now lost seven of their 14 games, winning six and Bewley thinks that is down to the average age of his squad being 23 and that his players are being called upon by the first team when needed.

“We’ve said all along that it is a development season for us,” added Bewley.

“Obviously with what has happened with Devizes, where we are trying to start again and rebuild. This year regardless of results we are getting 30 blokes back at the clubhouse and getting a few more people watching the games.

“A few lads that went off and left Devizes because they didn’t like what was happening have been brought back. Where it is Devizes through and through when we have got players injured the reserves are now being called up to the first team, so it is happening in the right way.

“We have put in some poor performances and won this season so the second half we will hopefully build on for a tough game against Malmesbury next weekend.”