TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 19th SEPTEMBER, by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot ’66 contributed by SDFL
Before I start this round up, I have to remind all SDFL clubs to double check that changing rooms, clubhouses, sheds, storage units are all secure and cameras are working. Any ride on mowers and valuables should be tagged, and there is an advice page on the DCFA website with tips on how to keep your property safe.
You will probably be aware of a theft at one of our village clubs, where volunteers and fundraisers have worked for years to purchase this equipment to improve the facilities, only for somebody to decide to steal it causing great inconvenience and putting financial pressure on the club. Hopefully, the long arm of the law will catch up with them soon.
On the pitch in the Premier Division, leaders Lakeside Athletic were taken to the wire by Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds, but a 3-2 victory keeps them on maximum points from the opening three games. Right behind them are Ilsington Villa thanks to a two-nil win over Pymouth True Blues who got some league minutes in the legs of their new players. Dan Langford and Jaimie Soper were on target for the moorland side, and True Blues had to play out the game with ten players. Paignton Saints moved into third spot with an eyebrow raising 3-1 win at Newton Abbot ’66 (pictured). Billy Reay, Jo Perry and Connor Stewart got the goals for Saints. The top three, plus East Allington United, are the only unbeaten teams left in the Premier Division after two weeks of league action. Kingsteignton Athletic make up the top five with a hard fought 2-1 win over Elburton Villa Reserves. Mark Voisey, just out of retirement, scored both goals for the Rams, whilst Ashley Walker was on target from the penalty spot for Villa.
In Division One, Mount Gould made it three from three in a top versus bottom clash, but you would not have known it. The Mounties ran out 3-2 victors but had to dig in at times to protect their lead and in fact with just 15 seconds to play, it was 2-2. Keiron Morris and Ray Spear got the first two goals, but it was left to Josh Mutton to win the points with the last kick of the game.
Buckland Athletic Seconds made it two from two with a 6-2 win against Babbacombe Corries, who were opening their league season following a great result in the county cup last week at Sampford Peverell. And Beesands Rovers must be wondering how long they will have to wait for their first points of the new season. They lost 3-2 at Bovey Tracey Reserves, who are sure to be there or thereabouts come next April, thanks to strikes from Cam Gill, Sam Stowell and Ben Moyle. Paignton Villa make up the top three with a 3-2 win at Watcombe Wanderers, which is a place not many teams come away from with three points.
In Division Two, Galmpton United continue their 100 per cent start to the season with a comprehensive 5-1 win at Ashburton, which was the first goal they have conceded this season, so no doubt Andy White will be concentrating on defensive work at training, Cole Feasby and Dan Tresize got two goals each, and there was a single for Max Prestwood. Kingskerswell make up the top three with a 5-2 win over Paignton Villa Seconds at the Kerswell Bowl. Oli Critchlow kept the match ball, having scored four goals, whilst Kyle Doughty scored a single to once again make ‘Kerswell one of the teams to beat in this division. Newton Abbot Spurs Thids came unstuck playing Liverton United First in their first league fixture of the season. Three goals without reply was a good return for Livvy, who join Galmpton, ‘Kerswell and East Allington United Seconds as the only unbeaten sides in the division. East Allington were playing their opening game, having avoided having to withdraw the team, and a 2-2 draw versus a decent Tavistock team should give the Pirates some confidence moving forward. Paignton Saints Seconds got their season up and running with their first points of the season. A 6-3 win over a visiting Ivybridge Town Reserves side is a good result in anybody’s book. Sam Winstanley, Adam Blackburn and Dan Beech each scored one, but the Saints hero was Harvey Veysey who hit a hat-trick.
In Division Three, Ipplepen Athletic Reserves remain the leaders thanks to a 4-1 victory over Liverton United Seconds, and Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds had the same scoreline as their senior team in a 2-1 win over Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves. Nathen De’Ath scored both goals, and the result keeps the Rams on two from two and in second place. Newton Rovers moved up five places with a close 3-2 win at Stoke Gabriel TP, who were also playing their first game under new management. Pre-season favourites Horrabridge Rangers clicked into gear with a 3-1 victory oner Chudleigh Athletic Seconds to record their first thee points in the SDFL. Harry Bowden, Aaron Johnson and Aiden Simpson secured the points for Rangers.
Division Four is going to be a tight competition as after only two games, only two teams have no points. Buckland Athletic Thirds are one of four teams on six points and they lead on goal difference. This week. they put in a 4-2 win at Waldon Athletic firsts having been level at the break. Lakeside Athletic Seconds have played three games, but their 10-1 win at Paignton Villa Thirds keeps them in second spot. Ilsington Villa Seconds got their second win of the season thanks to a 3-1 win at Brixham Town Seconds to join the top four. David Hatch rolled back the years with two goals, and Ernie Scott added a single for Villa. In the only other game played in this division, Windmill and Bere Alston Reserves shared the points in a entertaining 2-2 draw that keeps them both on four points.
In Division Five, Tamerton Foliot lead the way with three wins from three. This week’s nine-nil win at Bakers Park over Newton Rovers Seconds certainly helped their goal difference, which stands at plus 15 from three games. Paignton Saints Thirds eased into second place with a two- nil win over Newton Albion, which was the first defeat that Albion have had to endure. Alex Easson and Scott Troth scored the goals that gave the Paignton club three wins from their three adult teams on the day. Tavistock Thirds enjoyed their second win in three outings. A close 3-2 win against Broadhempston United puts them into third place with goals from Ben Backway, Paul Cowling and Ryan Smale, and finally, a result that you don’t often see in the SDFL: WBB v Waldon Athletic Seconds ended in a nil-nil draw that may give both teams a point, but Waldon have now drawn their opening three games and remain one of four unbeaten teams in Division Five, with just Kingsbridge and Kellaton Unitedd to get underway next week.
Games to catch on Saturday 26th September:
The big game in the Premier Division, and my game of the day, is at Osborne Park, where Newton Abbot ’66 will not just be looking for a repeat of last season’s game between the clubs, where Sixes took all three points against the team that went on to win the division, Lakeside Athletic, they will be looking to get back on track after a defeat; the kick off is at 2.30pm. In Division One, it’s a ‘take your pick’ week with four great fixtures. Bovey Tracey at home to Babbacombe Corries, who lost their opening fixture last week, Watcombe Wanderers just have to cross the Penn Inn roundabout to play Buckland Athletic, and Beesands Rovers will be looking for their first points of the season at Mount Gould. Paignton Villa versus Buckfastleigh Rangers should also be a great game to watch as Villa are one of the form teams. In Division Two, True Blues Seconds finally get their league season underway with what could be a tricky game at Paignton Villa Seconds, and Kingskerswell versus Ivybridge Town could be a close encounter. The game in Division Three at Kate Brook between Chudleigh Athletic Seconds and Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds has two teams that want to keep a good start to the season going and kicks off at 1pm and is then followed with a 3pm start for Chudleigh Athletic firsts, who take on Newton Abbot Spurs in the Premier Division. Stoke Gabriel TP get their second outing of the season when Liverton United Seconds are the visitors. And what a game to get your weekend off to a flyer in Division Four at Homers Heath, where two of the league’s new teams meet at 7.30pm on Friday 25th: Buckland Athletic Thirds versus Signal Box Seconds sees the league’s highest-scoring teams, with 34 goals between them in just two games, go head-to-head to stay at the top. In Division Five, Waldon Athletic Seconds are the latest team to attempt to stop Tamerton Foliot moving further ahead at the top, The game is at Plymstock School, and the big question is can Waldon draw for the fourth game in a row. Both teams are yet to lose.
Enjoy your grassroots football.