TIGHT GAME AT TOWN: Morley Rangers edge hosts Torquay Town 1-0 at Barton Cricket Club. ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR
Dan Rankin’s second successive hat-trick fired Kingsteignton Athletic to the top of the Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League while all but eliminating Watts Blake Bearne’s title hopes.
Sam Barnes joined Rankin on the score-sheet as the Rams triumphed 4-1 against their local rivals at Abbrook Park, Charlie Madden with the hosts’ consolation.
Buckfastleigh Rangers and Brixham AFC Reserves are a point behind the leaders after they battled out a 2-2 draw at the Duckspond. Rangers’ top goalscorer Steve Sutton added another two to his tally while Dalton Sanders and David Worthington netted for the Fishermen. Rangers ended the game with ten men following Charlie Morgan’s dismissal for picking up two cautions.
At the other end of the table, Ivybridge Town Reserves held bottom club Paignton Saints Reserves to a 2-2 draw at Coach Road, but Saints know they will need to get some wins soon to avoid being cut adrift.
Leslie Afful, Ajay Tehrani and Brook Ward found the back of the net for Waldon Athletic as the Clarets celebrated a narrow 3-2 win away at Elburton Villa Reserves. Chudleigh Athletic moved level on points with opponents East Allington following their 3-1 home win, Gavin Hammon with a brace. Nik Garrett was also on target for Athletic while Fin Bullen scored for the Pirates, his 16th goal of the season.
Beesands Rovers extended their lead at the top of Division One with a tight 2-1 victory at Babbacombe Corinthians. Adam Winkworth and Jamie Watts bagged the Bees’ goals. Curtis Marshall notched for Corries. Beesands are now seven points clear after Ilsington Villa drew a rare blank, away at Harbertonford, and came away with just a point.
After a goalless first half, Plympton Athletic went up a gear after the break to trounce Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves 6-0. Callum Thomas led the charge, with a hat-trick, but goal of the game went to James Baker with his long-range screamer. Finley Wood doubled up for Paignton Villa as they beat bottom club Barton Athletic 5-1 at South Devon Sports Centre. Harry Atkinson, Abdulsalim Benmoloud and Alfie Lloyds also scored for Villa.
Dean Jenkins popped up with the winner at Barton Cricket Club as Morley Rangers beat Torquay Town 1-0.
Watcombe Wanderers are building up a head of steam in Division Two. The Greens are now 14 points clear of the chasing pack following their 4-0 home win over SGT Police Reserves, Sam Pyne with a brace. Zach Norton’s double for second-placed Totnes, Dartington and Meadowbrook was in vain as Tots crashed 4-2 at East Allington United Reserves, Lee Prestage with two goals for the hosts.
The three title hopefuls in Division Three all picked up wins on Saturday. Brixham Town Reserves were unable to raise a side to play Waldon Athletic, gifting the leaders three points. Ipplepen Athletic Reserves scored three without reply at Kingsbridge and Kellaton United to keep their slim title hopes alive, while Bovey Tracey Reserves edged past Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves at Osborne Park, 2-1 the result.
Things are getting very close at the top of Division Four, and South Brent now lead the way after Nathan Cole’s hat-trick helped them to a 4-2 home win over Broadhempston United. They replace Liverton United who lost out 2-0 to visiting Watcombe Wanderers Reserves, Simon Ross with a brace. Waldon Athletic Thirds fought back from two down to salvage a point at Totnes, Dartington and Meadowbrook Reserves. Scott Troth scored all three of Tots’ goals with Shane Corderoy scoring twice for the Clarets, and Ashley Grimes getting the equaliser.