PREMIER CUP EXODUS: Kingsteignton Athletic and Newton Abbot ’66 were among the casualties in a weekend to forget for SDFL Premier Division teams. ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR
Buckfastleigh Rangers have got their first points on the board as the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division holders scored three away at Ivybridge Town Reserves. Kian Berry, Lewis Cox and Matthew Maller found the net for Rangers with new signing Mike Vanstone getting a consolation for the Ivies.
There was only one top tier game played as the other Premier sides were in county cup action. And it was largely a day to forget on that front as all bar one SDFL side crashed out of the Sportslighting Devon Premier Cup. Waldon Athletic were the exception, as their game at Millbridge was abandoned and will be replayed this weekend at Manadon Development Centre. If the Clarets can progress, they will join Elburton Villa Reserves, Buckfastleigh and Ivybridge in the second round, those three sides already through due to walkovers or byes.
East Allington United came closest to making the cut. The Pirates were leading visiting Mountwise AFC through a Fin Bullen goal until the very last minute when Terry Elliot kept his head, in a one-on-one with Sam Perry, to slot home an equaliser. The Plymouth side then came out on top in the penalty shoot out to book their passage to the round of 32.
The all South Devon clash at Abbrook Park also went to spot-kicks with Watts Blake Bearne’s Jamie Orchard and SGT Police’s Saul Vanes trading goals in normal time. Then up stepped Harry Joiner with a couple of penalty saves for the DFL team to see the former Peninsula side through.
Dan Rankin came off the bench to score his first goal for Kingsteignton Athletic, holders of the Devon Senior Cup. But that was as good as it got for the Rams who were soundly beaten 4-1 at home by DFL newcomers Barnstaple Town Reserves, meaning there will be no quadruple trophy haul this season.
Brixham AFC Reserves were also emphatically dispatched from the competition, beaten 4-0 at the Rec by DFL outfit Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves.
Spencer Taylor and Matthew Williams made the score-sheet for Chudleigh Athletic at Combe Martin, but three goals from the hosts, including a Connor James brace, saw them bow out. Newton Abbot ’66 also lost 3-2, away at Sidmouth Town Reserves.
There was better news for SDFL sides competing in the Robert Williams Estate Agents Devon Senior Cup, with some impressive score-lines for some of the Division One sides in action. Harbertonford romped to an 8-0 victory at home to St Johnston Social with David Hatch putting away a hat-trick and Callum Payne scoring twice. There were also goals for Liam Collings, Richard Harvey and substitute Archie McWhillie.
Plympton Athletic won 9-2 at Exeter United, with Grant Craven celebrating a hat-trick, Rob White sinking a double and James Baker, Jay Jones, Carlo Marino and Callum Thomas also on target.
SGT Police Reserves enjoyed a resounding 6-1 home win against Chagford.
It was a closer affair at Lewthorne Cross where Ilsington Villa scored a late winner to edge an end-to-end game with FC Tavyside 6-5. Villa stormed into a 2-0 lead but were soon pegged back by the visitors with 3-3 the half-time score. Jack Langford scored twice for the home side with Dan Langford, Thomas Harcourt-Smith, Matthew Warman and Robert Young also contributing goals.
Goals from Jamie Chamberlain and Kye Graham settled the all-SDFL clash at Bakers Park with Division One side Torquay Town beating Newton Rovers from Division Two 2-0. Barton Athletic are out of the competition following a heavy 8-1 loss at Landkey Town.
There was a mixed bag of results in the Devon Intermediate Cup with Kingsbridge and Kellaton United thrashing Phoenix United 5-0 and Waldon Athletic Reserves straight into the hat with an away walkover against Bradninch Town. Totnes, Dartington and Meadowbrook Reserves fought back from two down only to lose to a last minute goal at home to Lifton, while Newton ’66 Reserves were turned over 4-0 at home by Starcross Dons.
Morley Rangers remain unbeaten in SDFL Division One as they won the afternoon’s only second tier game 1-0 at Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves, Ben Hall with the goal.
Jack Turak’s hat-trick helped Brixham Town to a healthy 7-0 victory at Dartmouth AFC Reserves in Division Two.