BATTLING: Brixham Reserves grind out an impressive victory against The Windmill FC at Wall Park. ©MiraclePR.com
TCS South Devon Football League Premier Division leaders Buckfastleigh Rangers continued their strong start to the season, capitalising on an early sending off for East Allington United to run out 6-0 winners at the Duckspond on Saturday.
Ryan Lucassi had his shooting boots on, scoring a hat-trick for Rangers with Lewis Cox, Glen Palmer and Curtis Wood also on target. The Pirates were always going to be in for a tough afternoon after Josef Sita was sent off for a handball on the line.
Brixham AFC Reserves picked up an impressive three points in their home game against The Windmill FC. With their first team having received a cup bye, the Fishermen were able to field a strong side but it took until early in the second half for them to get their noses in front with a header from a corner. The Plymouth side responded immediately, Carlton Allen firing home an equaliser following their very next attack. But Brixham quickly retook the lead and battled doggedly before sealing the win with a late third. On the score-sheet for the hosts were Joshua Cawsey, Kieran Parkin and Reece Somers.
There were plenty of goals at Barton Downs as Watts Blake Bearne dug out a narrow 4-3 victory over Barton Athletic to maintain their unbeaten start. Cam Gill scored twice for the Claymen with Lee Pascoe and Sam Peardon also on target. Spencer Katz and sub Oliver Clarke were among the goalscorers for Barton.
Salcombe Town fans were treated to a festival of goals at the Dorothy Elmhirst ground as The Crabs smashed Meadowbrook Athletic 9-2 in their opening league fixture. Ashley Yeoman got his obligatory goals – two of them – but it was Charlie Barnes who enjoyed the lion’s share of the celebrations, scoring four times. Goals from Jake Favis, Kieran Stallard and Ben Taylor completed the rout with Ben Bowhay scoring both of Brook’s consolations.
Newton Abbot ’66 bounced back from their narrow loss at Elburton Villa Reserves the previous week to beat Ivybridge Town Reserves 6-2 at Osborne Park. Villa were unable to build on their victory as they lost out 2-1 at Galmpton United. The Greens, starting their first league game of the campaign, went ahead in a first half of few chances when Craig White fired a Max Prestwood cross into the roof of the net after 21 minutes. Sam Lang had the best of the Elburton efforts with a couple of chances ten minutes later but was unable to beat the Galmpton defence. Dave Worthington slotted home a second after the break, giving Galmpton a little room to breathe but Bayley Williams finished off a good attacking spell by the visitors to ensure Galmpton were made to work hard for their win.
Due to Devon FA cup action, there was only one Division One game, between Harbertonford and Chudleigh Athletic Reserves, two teams looking to make up for disappointing starts. Despite taking the lead through Jack Hopkins, Harbertonford conceded an own goal and then went behind after the break. Dave Hatch briefly brought the home side level but Athletic scored three more, including a penalty to run out 5-2 victors, Jordan Armstrong, Jack Salmons, Gavin Hammon and Andrew Snell with their goals.
With Ilsington Villa’s cup opponents pulling out, there was an opportunity to follow up on their opening day win in Division Two. This they did in style with a thumping 10-2 win over a Barton Athletic Reserves who received as many red cards as they scored goals. Dan Langford produced a finishing masterclass with seven goals. Michael Tapp added a brace and Jack Langford was also on target. Babbacombe Corinthians put in another good performance to beat East Allington United Reserves 7-1 away. Curtis Marshall did the most damage with four goals, substitute Kieran Sweet scored twice and Ryan Mellish netted, Rob Hutchings with a sole contribution for the Pirates. Curtis Booth got on the score-sheet twice for Torquay Town as they defeated Ipplepen Athletic Reserves 4-1 away. Aaron Underhill added another goal to his tally with sub Imad Belguerrab also notching. Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Development got up and running with a victory, beating Paignton Villa Reserves 3-2. Kev Smith scored twice for Stoke with Dylan Bailie their other goalscorer; Ash Beetschen and Richard Malone hit back for Villa. Watcombe Wanderers Reserves collected an easy three points with Dittisham United once again unable to fulfil their fixture.
The team with the biggest league goal haul on Saturday were Division Three’s Brixham Town who found the net eleven times against Kingsbridge and Kellaton United. Town shared the goals around the team with Stuart Pointon winning the match ball, Jamie Warran scoring twice and Brendan Boddy, Macauley Dallow, Benjamin Ford, Alister George, Damien Sobota and substitute Shane Pike each weighing in with a goal. Paignton Saints Third responded to their opening day loss with a comfortable 4-1 win, Richard Cadwallader, Simon Harris, Matthew Mann and Sonwabile Mlenze on target against Chudleigh Athletic Thirds. Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves also scored four with hosts Broadhempston United drawing a blank.
There were also plenty of goals across the grounds in Division Four. Bovey Tracey Reserves are flying at the moment following consecutive 8-0 wins. Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves were the victims this week (although they do have the consolation of a free ride to Round Two of the county cup due to their opponents pulling out). Barton Athletic Thirds, Bovey’s opponents the previous week, shipped another five at home to Waldon Athletic Reserves who also collected a clean sheet. Nathan Cole scored twice for South Brent as they made it two wins from two by beating Brixham Town Reserves 4-1. James Kervella and Jamie Soper also found the net for Brent with Liam Halliday scoring for Town.
There was a mixed bag of results in the Devon Senior Cup with Beesands Rovers, Ilsington Villa, Kingsteignton Athletic, Newton Rovers and Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves making it into the Second Round. The pick of the games was at Beesands where the Bees came back from two down against Torridgeside Reserves to win 7-4, Jack Eades with a phenomenal five goals and Louis Brace and Josh Jewell with a goal apiece. Kingsteignton won 3-1 away at South Zeal United after extra-time, after initially falling behind, while Newton Rovers beat fellow SDFL outfit Abbotskerswell 2-1 at Bakers Park. Ilsington and Buckfastleigh went through by default as their opponents, Bradninch and Upton Athletic respectively, couldn’t raise sides.
Elsewhere, Ashburton were roundly beaten 7-1 at Alphington Reserves while Dartmouth AFC Reserves suffered a whopping 15-1 loss at former SDFL Premier side Plympton Athletic Reserves. Upottery edged out Paignton Saints Reserves 2-1, Cody Tratt-Skinner with both of the hosts’ goals, while Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds held Exmouth Spartans to a 2-2 draw before bowing out 4-3 on penalties.
The SDFL had a similar success rate in the Devon Intermediate Cup. Galmpton United Reserves, Ivybridge Town Development, Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves, Liverton United Reserves, Teign Village and Totnes and Dartington Reserves are all in the hat with Teign Village enjoying an emphatic 9-1 victory at The Priory. Ivybridge Development started their first ever campaign in style, beating Kenn Valley United 5-1, Lewis Dickson with four of their goals and Kai Burrel with the other. Galmpton won 5-2 away at Lynton. It was closer at Halford where Liverton narrowly ousted Woolsery 3-2. Kingsteignton and Totnes were awarded home walkovers against Hawkchurch and Bradworthy Reserves respectively.
Watts Blake Bearne Reserves scored three at home to Bickleigh but conceded five while Sandford Reserves put away two without reply at home to Bishopsteignton United. Cranbrook United had to score six times to finally end the challenge of Discoveries Devon in an 11 goal thriller at Decoy Park. In contrast, the one goal was enough for Bow AAC at Newton Rovers Reserves. It was closer still at Windmill Hill where eight goals couldn’t separate Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves and Exmouth Rovers Reserves. Exmouth finally made it through with a 4-2 triumph on penalties. Ipplepen Athletic Thirds were unable to raise a side to face the intriguingly named Heart of Oak while Abbotskerswell Reserves (who have now disbanded and re-entered the league as Watcombe Wanderers Thirds) also forfeited their cup tie to Uplyme.