A DEPLETED Launceston side were well-beaten in South Devon as Premier East leaders Bovey Tracey ran riot at Mill Marsh Park.

Having knocked out Millbrook to reach the last 16, the Clarets were handed the toughest possible task, while their hosts, with realistic ambitions of reaching the Southern League in the near future, fielded a side including some of the biggest names playing locally at this level.

The Bovey attack was headed by prolific goalscorers Levi Landricombe and Stuart Bowker.

An already tough task was rendered realistically impossible as the Launceston squad was decimated by injury, illness and suspensions.

On a slippery and very heavy surface Bovey, who on Saturday will look to reach round four of the national FA Vase competition, came flying out and moved in front inside two minutes through David Rowe.

The Clarets had a chance to hit back immediately when Kian Berry was brought down, but the resultant penalty was well-saved by Dom Aplin.

The floodgates soon opened, however, with a makeshift Launceston defence run ragged by the pace and power of an impressive Bovey front line, led by Bowker and Landricombe who, between them, scored three times inside an hour.

Goals came at regular intervals and by the break the Clarets trailed 7-0.

The two main strikers were withdrawn early in the second half, after which the scoring effectively ceased.

Launceston, in particular strikers Berry and Fothergill, stuck to their task manfully but the damage had been done in those opening minutes.

The Clarets will welcome the return to SWPL Premier West action on Saturday when Holsworthy visit Pennygillam (3pm).

LAUNCESTON: Freddie Harvey-Lamar; Ryan Dawe, Taylor Davey, Tom Bullock, Sam Tattersall, Archie Wall, Shae Cardiff, Mike Steele (capt), Alfie Fothergill, Will Gilbert, Kian Berry. Subs: Joe Jasper, Jack Stephens, George Durham.