TABLE TOPPERS: WBB continue to set the pace in Division One with another winning performance. (c) MiraclePR

First versus second in the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier Division produced a game worthy of the top tier with leaders Torbay Police grabbing a dramatic late winner against Meadowbrook Athletic to extend their lead to five points.

Despite several key players, including leading scorer Jamie Bayliss, being unavailable, the strength in depth of the Bees squad was very apparent as they were still able to field a strong line up.

The Police started brightly but fell behind when Meadowbrook pounced on a loose ball following a corner. A carbon copy goal then saw Brook double their lead. The Police responded by testing the frame of the Brook goal and forcing their goalkeeper into some excellent saves. He couldn’t keep out Beck Hannah’s chip from a Police corner though as the buoyant Bees halved the deficit. They hadn’t quite finished celebrating though when a Brook midfielder lobbed home ‘keeper Adam Blackburn direct from the kick-off. Blackburn managed to tip the ball onto the bar but the ball bounced back on to his outstretched arm and into the goal to restore Meadowbrook’s two goal cushion. Three became four when the dangerous Ben Bowhay crossed to the far post and Sonwabile Mlenze was beaten in the air by an incoming Meadowbrook player to put them 4-1 up and in a good position to take the division’s top spot

Early in the second half, Prestwood stole in to side foot home from close range to make it 4-2 and inspire a Bees comeback. With 25 minutes still to play, Prestwood bagged his second with another calm finish from close range. Soon enough, the almost inevitable equaliser arrived as Prestwood was in again, his deflected shot volleyed home by Bobby Chancellor. Could they find a winner? Once again, the impressive Prestwood was in and clumsily bundled to the floor deep inside the Brook box. Mlenze stepped up and brushed off the pressure to coolly slot home the penalty and winning goal with ten minutes to go. The visitors’ goals were scored by Bowhay, Myles Chalcraft, Jamie Easton and Ben Field.

In-form Ashley Yeoman scored half of Salcombe Town’s goals as they closed to within a point of Meadowbrook with a thumping 8-1 home win over Ivybridge Town Reserves. Joshua Harris scored twice for the Crabs with Charlie Barnes and Luke Milton also on target.

East Allington United lost their first league game of the season, beaten 3-2 at Broadmeadow. Broads scored through Chris Bennett, Malcolm Douglas and Chris Sargent with Justin Denning and Dan Bowles finding the net for the Pirates.

Buckland Athletic Development enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Brixham AFC Reserves. Joshua Clarke, Calum Fyfe, Tre Hansford and Charlie Morgan each found the net for Bucks with Garry Drew managing a consolation for the Fishermen. Joseph Rogers was also dismissed for the visitors.

Beesands Rovers picked up their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw at Newton Abbot ’66 and it was also all square at Moor Road where Ipplepen Athletic were held 1-1 by Plympton Athletic Reserves.

A Billy Clinch hat-trick helped Watts Blake Bearne to maintain their lead at the top of Division One. Cam Gill also scored in a 4-2 win over Stoke Gabriel Reserves. Unbeaten Kingskerswell and Chelston and Barton Athletic also won to keep pace with the leaders.

PERFECT START: Meadowbrook scored within two minutes to give them the advantage in Saturday’s five goal derby at the Dorothy Elmhirst. (c) Derek Castree

Unbeaten Meadowbrook Athletic fought off a Buckfastleigh Rangers comeback to maintain their pursuit of WBW (Solicitors) SDFL leaders Torbay Police last Saturday.

Brook took an early lead in this derby match, scoring within the first two minutes, and then doubled up on the stroke of half-time, the goalscorer finding the net on the second attempt after the Rangers goalkeeper had parried his first effort. Having also hit the post in the first half, the hosts were good value for their lead. Rangers needed a quick response in the second half and they certainly delivered it, scoring two great goals within three minutes of each other to bring the sides level. Both were from set pieces. The first, on 50 minutes, saw a free-kick on the right pulled back to a player on the edge of the area who shaped his shot nicely over the wall and into the net. The second was a powerful direct free-kick which again cleared the wall and left the home goalkeeper with no chance.

Both sides then had good spells of play and the tie could have gone either way until, on 62 minutes, Meadowbrook secured the points with a good move and neat finish. Rangers continued to battle as the rain started to come down and will probably feel they deserved a point.

Finn Roberts scored two of Meadowbrook’s goals with Liam Collings the other goalscorer. Rangers’ dead ball specialists on the day were Lewis Cox and Arren de Young.

Torbay Police show no sign of letting up. The Bees repeated their 5-2 scoreline in the reverse fixture away at Broadmeadow a week after beating Buckland Athletic Development 3-1 at Churston Grammar School. Max Prestwood scored twice on Saturday with Luke Dandy, Beck Hannah and Jack Turak also on target and Josh Hall and substitute Ben Chick netting for Broadmeadow. Prestwood, Jamie Bayliss and Marc Hagland were the golascorers the previous week with Owen Coldwell finding the net for Bucks.

Salcombe Town are also on a roll. Ashley Yeoman kept up his record of scoring in every game so far as The Crabs defeated Buckland 3-1 on Saturday, following their 4-1 home win over local rivals Beesands Rovers the previous week. Charlie Barnes and Fred Massey joined Yeoman on the score sheet with Tre Hansford on target for Buckland.

Brixham AFC Reserves are back to winning ways. Having lost two in a row prior to last week’s abandoned game at Ivybridge, the Fishermen triumphed 3-1 at home to Ipplepen Athletic, Ryan Walton with a brace and Liam McAuley also scoring.

Plympton Athletic Reserves’ inconsistent start to the season continued with their third loss of the season, 4-1 away at Newton Abbot ’66, following the previous week’s 2-0 victory at Buckfastleigh.

Beesands Rovers still seek their first Premier Division point as they experienced deja vu by once again losing 4-2 at home to Ivybridge Town Reserves who dispatched them from the Premier Cup earlier this month. Bradley Lowe scored twice for the Ivies with Macauley Conway and Gary Heasmen also on target; Jack Eades and Lewis Foot notched for the Bees.

Division One leaders Watts Blake Bearne are averaging more than six goals a game. They put nine past Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves on Saturday, Cam Gill adding another five to his tally and Billy Clinch and Matthew Elmore managing doubles; James Perrins scored a consolation goal for the home side. WBB weren’t the top SDFL scorers on Saturday though. That honour went to Barton Athletic who hit 12 past Dittisham United without reply. Sam Pyne scored five of the goals, Shane Essam netted twice and there were singles for Michael and Stephen Rohan, Casey Cooper and subs Mike Fieldhouse and Luke Reeby. Barton remain third behind Kingskerswell and Chelston who enjoyed a 5-0 home victory over Waldon Athletic Reserves. ‘Kerswell’s goals came from Alexander Easson (2), Ashley Beetschen, Ashley Grimes and, from the bench, Connor Davenport.

Darren Bastow rolled back the years to score twice for Division Two leaders Upton Athletic at home to Torquay Town. Bart Karkau also scored as Upton maintain their perfect start to the campaign with a 3-0 win.

Brixham AFC Thirds held on to their lead at the top of Division Three despite being held to a 2-2 draw at Furzeham Green by Newton Rovers Reserves.