SIX FOR THE SIXES: Newton ’66 celebrate their first win of the season, beating Ivybridge Town 6-1. ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR
With Kingsteignton Athletic given a lay day, Buckfastleigh Rangers took their chance to move to the top of the Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League Premier Division.
Rangers travelled to Windmill Hill to face Waldon Athletic. With both sides in sparkling form, something had to give, and it was the Clarets who fell to their first defeat in four. The 3-1 win was especially memorable for Rangers’ 16 year-old debutant Ben Newton who scored with his first touch. Kian Berry and Lewis Cox also found the net for Rangers, Ajay Tehrani with Waldon’s consolation.
Brixham AFC Reserves’ trip to Watts Blake Bearne rained off as was Elburton Villa Reserves’ home tie against Chudleigh Athletic.
Fin Bullen put away two goals for East Allington United in an eight goal thriller at Coach Road, although Paignton Saints Reserves will be less than thrilled with failing to land a point at the seventh attempt. Dan Bowles, Fred Massey and Josef Sita joined Bullen on the score-sheet for the Pirates with Saints’ Jamie Ford scoring twice and Frank Barrett also netting.
Newton Abbot ’66 are finally off the mark. Tom Lowe had his shooting boots on, claiming a hat-trick for the Sixes in a 6-1 home victory over Ivybridge Town Reserves. Liam Ashwell scored twice and Joseph Clark-Farley contributed a goal. Daniel Ahearn pulled one back for the Ivies.
Ben Moyle scored twice for Bovey Tracey Reserves as the Division Three side pulled off another Herald Cup upset by beating Plympton Athletic, from Division One, 2-0. Tyrone McVeigh eased the pressure with a penalty save when his side were one up.
Beesands Rovers shared the goals around as they moved top of Division One by beating Morley Rangers 4-2. Louis Brace, Jack Eades, Kieran Stallard and Bradley Williams each hit the target for the Bees with Rangers’ Milo Mackin scoring twice for the visitors.
There were doubles for Dan Langford and Rob Young as Ilsington Villa celebrated an emphatic 7-1 victory over Barton Athletic. Upton Athletic fought out a 3-3 draw with Babbacombe Corinthians, their fifth draw from seven games, while Harbertonford scored two without reply at Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves.
In Division Two, leaders Watcombe Wanderers kept their100 percent record intact by beating Newton Rovers 3-1. Totnes, Dartington and Meadowbrook go third following a 7-0 hammering of Dartmouth AFC Reserves, Zach Norton and Ben Rowe with doubles apiece.
Waldon Athletic Reserves stay top of Division Three with a 5-3 triumph at Chudleigh Athletic Reserves. With the top two not playing in Division Four, Liverton United closed the gap with a thumping 9-1 win away at Totnes, Dartington and Meadowbrook Reserves.
The Herald Cup takes centre stage this weekend with Paignton Villa welcoming Elburton Villa Reserves to South Devon Sports Centre and Beesands Rovers travelling to Newton Abbot ’66 in the pick of Saturday’s games. Amongst the teams hoping to pull off surprise wins are Barton Athletic, who host Watts Blake Bearne; Newton Rovers, at home to Kingsteignton Athletic, and South Brent, who welcome East Allington to Palstone Park.