REMATCH: Watts Blake Bearne and The Windmill FC locked horns for the first time since the Plymouth side’s 1-0 Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup victory. WBB ran out 3-2 winners this time. ©MiraclePR.com

There’s no sign of a slow down for Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League Premier Division leaders Buckfastleigh Rangers as they made it four wins out of four last Saturday afternoon.

In fact, Rangers pulled off their biggest win yet by putting ten past visiting Barton Athletic with no reply. Ryan Lucassi added to his previous week’s hat-trick with a brace of goals but it was Joshua Zimmerman who led the scoring this week with four strikes. A Steven Sutton double and singles from Tommy Weymouth and Curtis Wood wrapped up a perfect afternoon for the home side.

Brixham AFC Reserves and Watts Blake Bearne complete the top three as they also enjoyed victories and remain unbeaten. Mark Griffiths scored twice as the Fishermen defeated Newton Abbot ’66 4-1 at Osborne Park, Mitchell Thomas and Callum Barber with the other goals. Tom Lowe scored his fifth goal in three games for the Sixes.

Wattsies won 3-2 at home to the Windmill FC in a replay of last season’s Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup final. Rhys Walton scored twice for Windmill but a brace from Billy Clinch and a Lee Pascoe strike condemned the Plymouth side to their second loss in a row.

Galmpton United’s perfect start continued as they dealt East Allington United another blow, scoring three times in each half and keeping a clean sheet. Max Prestwood scored twice and Callum Nightingale found the net in the first half to give the Greens a healthy advantage. Nightingale added his second after the break and was joined on the score-sheet by Craig White and new signing Ben Clark.

Salcombe Town and ten-man Ivybridge Town Reserves battled out a 1-1 draw at Malborough Playing Fields, Charlie Barnes and Ryan McNaught with the goals while Elburton Villa Reserves picked up three points as a result of Meadowbrook Athletic failing to raise a team for the trip to Haye Lane.

It’s tight at the top in Division One with no fewer than five teams on maximum points after two games. Dan Pagett scored twice for Paignton Saints Reserves as they enjoyed a comfortable 6-1 success at Harbertonford. Shaun Cotton, Matt Reed, Jake Powell and Ben Hamilton-Hill also hit the target for Saints with David Hatch pulling one back for Ford in the second half.

There was an identical scoreline at Chudleigh Athletic Reserves as Beesands Rovers’ Adam Winkworth ran riot, putting away a hat-trick. Jack Eades scored twice for The Bees and substitute Louis Brace also netted. Spencer Taylor came off the bench to score a consolation for the hosts.

Kingsteignton Athletic maintained their winning start by beating Upton Athletic 5-2 away. Tom Reeves scored a double and there were further goals from Matt Hooper, Kelsey Leech and Aaron Paget. Jules Emati-Emati tucked away both of Upton’s goals.

There was a similar story at Chuley Road as Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves came out on top of an eight goal contest against Ashburton. Benjamin Treeby contributed two goals with Daniel Grute, Gareth Harris and sub Declan Cowley adding the rest. Callum Noyce put away two for the Ashes with Ashleigh Johnson also scoring.

The other club with a perfect start is Waldon Athletic who scored once in each half to beat Paignton Villa 2-1. Ajay Tehrani had an eventful game, scoring the opener for the Clarets and being sent off in the final minutes. Jacob Knapman and Villa’s Richard Malone found the net after the interval.

Kingskerswell and Chelston are off the mark after their 3-1 home victory over Abbotskerswell. James Horrocks scored twice for ‘Kerswell with James Hamilton also on target.

Only Ilsington Villa and Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Development have yet to drop points in Division Two. Villa made it three out of three, and top the table, following a 6-0 triumph at Barton Athletic Reserves. Dan Langford is out in front in the SDFL goal scoring charts after his four goals brought him to 13 for the season. Jack Langford added a further two goals for Villa.

Dylan Bailie collected a hat-trick for Stoke and Torbay Police in a game that swung one way and then the other before ending in a 4-2 win for the Bees. Unbeaten Torquay Town are up to second place after a decent 4-3 victory away at Babbacombe Corinthians. Jamie Chamberlain, Matthew Waye, Aaron Unferhill and substitute Justin Grinsill each found the net for Town with Tom Coulson, Callum Leeds and Ben Nickells scoring for Corries who slip to third.

Watcombe Wanderers Reserves fell to their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 at home to Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds, while East Allington United Reserves and Newton Rovers both picked up their first points with high scoring wins. Finn Bullingham scored twice for the Pirates in a 7-2 home win over Dittisham United while Nigel Vass’s double helped Newton Rovers to a 5-0 triumph over Dartmouth AFC Reserves.

There was a hat trick for Josh Piper at Furzeham Green as Division Three leaders Brixham Town beat Liverton United Reserves 6-1.

Nathan Cole put away five for South Brent in a 7-1 home win over Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves. Waldon Athletic Reserves join them at the top of Division Four after a 3-1 success at Bovey Tracey Reserves.

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.

East Allington’s Josef Sita in action against Meadowbrook in the Charity Shield. He scored a hat-trick for the Pirates in their opening league game against Barton Athletic. ©MiraclePR.com

East Allington United made a convincing start to their TCS SDFL Premier Division campaign with an emphatic 6-0 win over Barton Athletic, Finley Bullen and Josef Sita with hat tricks apiece.

Buckfastleigh Rangers sit atop the table though having won both of their games so far. Rangers followed up last week’s opening victory at Ivybridge Town Reserves with a 3-0 triumph away at Meadowbrook Athletic. Steve Sutton opened his account with a brace of goals and was joined on the score-sheet by Curtis Wood.

Elburton Villa Reserves are the only other Premier side to celebrate a win so far as they narrowly defeated visiting Newton Abbot ’66 3-2 at Haye Road. Two goals from Bayley Williams looked to have Villa comfortably on course for three points. But the Sixes fought back and managed to level the game before Williams completed his hat-trick.

Brixham AFC Reserves took the lead twice against Watts Blake Bearne at Wall Park, Thomas Burt and Peter Mwaro with the goals. But WBB found a last minute equaliser to deny the hosts an opening day win.

Salcombe Town won their opening Devon Premier Cup match after an exciting 3-3 draw with Lakeside Athletic of the Devon Football League. Goals from Ash Yeoman, Ben Tapper and Charlie Barnes had put the Crabs 3-1 up, Brandon Jefferis with the home side’s strike. But Jack Presland’s double took the game to penalties and Salcombe finally made it through 3-1.

Galmpton United were also in Premier Cup action against Devon League opponents but had a bad day at the office against North Molton. Goals from Callum Hutch, Carrick Galbraith, Jamie Giffard and Joe Southcott saw the Stags through 4-1, Callum Nightingale with Galmpton’s consolation.

Paignton Saints Reserves and Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves both won 8-1 in their Division One openers. Jake Powell put away a hat-trick for Saints at Abbotskerswell with Ben Hamilton-Hill scoring twice and Danny Rainbow, Ryan Goswell and Jo Potter also contributing goals; Aaron Knapman found the net for Abbots. Jay Barnard and Daniel Grute scored two apiece for Rangers as they beat Upton Athletic at the Duckspond. Gareth Harris, Glen Palmer, Jerry Revell and Benjamin Treeby also weighed in with goals for the home side, Jules Emati-Emati with Upton’s lone strike.

The league’s top goalscorer from last season, Callum Noyce, is up and running already with a brace for Ashburton in Division One on Saturday. Jack White also scored twice with Calum Fyfe adding a goal in a 5-1 victory over Chudleigh Athletic Reserves who netted through Ben Stephenson. Chris Barnett, Nathan Isaac, Kelsey Leech and Mark Voisey scored to make it a winning return for Kingsteignton Athletic following their spell in the DFL. The Rams beat Harbertonford 4-1 at Broadpark with David Hatch on target for Ford. Waldon Athletic and Paignton Villa are also back in the SDFL and had contrasting fortunes on their opening day. Waldon overcame Torquay rivals Kingskerswell and Chelston 2-1 at Windmill Hill while a Louis Brace strike was the only goal of the game as Beesands Rovers won 1-0 over Villa.

Ilsington Villa and Watcombe Wanderers Reserves enjoyed comfortable wins in their opening Division Two fixtures. Villa romped to a 4-0 half-time lead over ten-man East Allington United Reserves, running out 5-1 winners by the end of the afternoon. Dan Langford and George Harris both managed doubles with Matthew Warman the other home scorer and Matthew Duffy grabbing a consolation for the Pirates.

Watcombe also won 5-1 despite losing Connor Finch to a red card. William Allen put in a super-sub performance, scoring twice from the bench, and there were goals from Jamie Carter, Ryan Begley and Harry Lee. Opponents Paignton Villa Reserves scored through George Jones.

Babbacombe Corinthians narrowly beat Newton Rovers 3-2 at Bakers Park. Callum Leeds, Curtis Marshall and Ryan Mellish each opned their accounts for Corries while Nathan De’Ath and Kyle Willoughby did the same for Rovers. Torquay Town and Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds fought out a 3-3 draw at Barton Cricket Club with Aaron Underhill scoring a hat-trick for the hosts. Ipplepen Athletic Reserves collected a free three points as Dittisham United were unable to fulfil their fixture.

In Division Three, Sonwabile Mlenze gave Paignton Saints Thirds the lead at Abbrook Park but that was as good as it got for the visitors. Goals from Matt Elmore, Nathan Harvey and substitutes Christopher Blandford and Tom Taylor saw Watts Blake Bearne Reserves secure a 4-1 win.

Kingsbridge and Kellaton United came away from Headlands with the three points. Dominic Farleigh scored twice and Andrew Tildesley hit the target as the visitors beat Broadhempston United 3-1, Ryan Easterbrook with the Robins’ goal. Liverton United also celebrated an away victory with Nick Rushe and Luke Williams on target at Bishopsteignton United who scored through Daniel Rogers.

The other three Division Three games all finished level. In a repeat of June’s cup final, Brixham Town took on Totnes and Dartington Reserves. Just as in that game, Tots took the lead with Jake Osman finding the net this time out. Stuart Pointon equalised for Town to earn his side a share of the spoils. Teign Village and Chudleigh Athletic Thirds shared four goals between them and Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves and Galmpton United Reserves drew 1-1.

Bovey Tracey Reserves and South Brent were the big winners in Division Four. Benjamin Moyle was the day’s top individual goalscorer with four goals in Bovey’s 8-0 win at Barton Athletic Thirds. Jamie Soper scored twice for South Brent as they scored seven without reply at home to Newton Rovers Reserves.

Elsewhere, Paul Christie scored a hat-trick for Brixham Town Reserves as they just about managed the win in a nine goal thriller at Discoveries Devon. Waldon Athletic Reserves also scraped a win, 3-2 at Ipplepen Athletic Thirds, while it finished two apiece between Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves and Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves.

Shootout hero Richard Teague celebrates with his team mates following East Allington’s 6-5 sudden death penaltis win over Meadowbrook. ©MiraclePR.com

There was late penalty drama at Totnes and Dartington’s Foxhole Ground last Friday night as East Allington United clinched the TCS South Devon Football League Charity Shield from South Hams neighbours Meadowbrook Athletic.

The game went down to the wire with the Pirates winning 6-5 on sudden death penalties following a goalless 90 minutes. The hero of the night was veteran East Allington goalkeeper Richard Teague who made a surprise start and ended up scoring in the shootout before saving the decisive penalty.

Wearing a fluorescent yellow jersey, Teague foreshadowed the role he was going to play in the game. He was also the brightest part of a dull first half with most chances coming from corners. Meadowbrook comfortably won the corner count but failed to deliver much to trouble Teague and captain Dan Hurrell who competently dealt with anything that resembled a chance. The only other player who looked likely to do any damage was Brook’s Ben Bowhay. He had the best effort of the half, forcing Teague into a smart save with a shot from the edge of the area.

After the break it was a different story with East Allington orchestrating the better chances, including hitting the crossbar, in a much more entertaining half. Meadowbrook did look dangerous on the counter though, bolstered as they were by the introduction of experienced journeyman Luke Durham.

The Pirates had their best chance to go in front on 71 minutes when Finley Bullen was felled in the box. Bullen took the penalty himself but Dave Carroll, the experienced former Totnes and Dartington goalkeeper, beat his effort away and Fin Watson was wide with the follow up. With seven minutes remaining there was a huge shout from East Allington when Carroll leapt to claim the ball, fell backwards and was forced to hurl the ball away from his goal. The Pirates were convinced the ball had crossed the line but with no goal line technology to fall back on, the referee waved away the goal appeals. And while there was no VAR to consult either, the East Allington bench were eager for their club photographer to review her video footage!

With light fading, penalties followed straight after the 90 minutes were up. If Bullen was nervous about taking the first spot kick, it didn’t show as he confidently dispatched his shot past Carroll to open the scoring. Bowhay hit an equally confident shot to get Brook off the mark.

Goalkeepers taking penalties are now a common sight in football matches but it is still rare to have both ‘keepers trading spot kicks. At three apiece, up stepped Teague for East Allington and despite Carroll getting both hands to the ball, the power of the shot beat him. Carroll is no stranger to penalty taking himself but when the roles were reversed, he saw his shot beaten away by his opposite number. However, Teague had moved off his line and Carroll made certain to level the scores again after the re-take.

After Durham tucked away Brook’s fifth penalty it was down to sudden death. East Allington scored before Teague pulled off a great save to round off the match – possibly his last for the club – in perfect fashion.

“The first half was a bit scrappy in places, I think we were a bit slow out of the gates,” said East Allington manager Luke Harvey. “Second half, I said we just needed to slow the tempo down, get hold of the ball and start playing it around. When we started doing that we took control of the game.

“Our second half performance was brilliant and they fully deserved to win. I think we should have finished it off in the 90 minutes but there you go, we didn’t.

“I never had a doubt about Fin. Even when he’s missed one, he’s one of those strikers where it’s like water off a duck’s back. He scores us 30 goals a season so you never have to worry about that. He’s got guts and to stand up and take the first penalty, I’m proud of him for that.

“I didn’t know (Richard Teague) was going to play until a couple of days ago. I thought it was going to be tight and when he put himself forward I thought to myself that, if it goes to penalties, I’m going to need a goalkeeper with that kind of experience.

“He’s been a great servant to the club and it’s just fitting that, with this potentially being his last game, he’s come away with some silverware’.

There was also one game played the following day with Tom Weymouth scoring twice for Buckfastleigh Rangers in their opening TCS South Devon Football League Premier Division game away at Ivybridge Town Reserves. Josh Zimmerman also scored for Rangers in a 3-1 victory.

The rest of the league gets underway this Saturday.

Meadowbrook (red) came from behind to beat Torbay Police in last season’s Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup clash at the Dorothy Elmhirst ground. Brook made it to the semi-finals. ©MiraclePR.com

Meadowbrook Athletic manager Phil Collings is looking forward to tonight’s Charity Shield clash with neighbours East Allington United. The Dartington based side were riding high in the Premier Division before the league was expunged in January and will be hoping to build on some impressive pre-season results.

“We’re looking forward to it being a team from the South Hams that we’re playing,” said Collings. “It makes it into a bit of a local derby. East Allington are a good side and we’ve had some good games with them in the past. I hope it will be a good game for everybody watching – it will be very competitive, I’m sure.

“It would be great for the players to have a trophy to play for after the past two seasons. The club and the players are looking forward to it and I think it’s a great idea by the league.

“We’ve won every pre-season friendly we’ve played and we’re looking quite good,” he added. “We played a side from Bournemouth, of an equivalent standard, and managed to beat them 3-1.”

It would be great for the players to have a trophy to play for after the past two seasons…I think it’s a great idea by the league

Phil Collings, First Team manager Meadowbrook

“All the players from last season have stayed and we’ve had a few players come down from Totnes and Dartington to join us,” continued Collings. “That will be good for strength in depth next season.”

But just like their opponents, Brook will also be missing a key figure between the sticks.

“Dan Woods has retired,” revealed Collings. “He’s still involved with the club and helps us out but he’s decided his body can’t take it any more. He’s been a great asset to the club for the past three years.”

The first league game of the season takes place this Saturday, a Premier Division clash between Ivybridge Town Reserves and Buckfastleigh Rangers at Erme Park. The rest of the teams kick off the following Saturday (4th September), with Meadowbrook hosting Buckfastleigh.

“Buckfastleigh will be a tough team,” said Collings. “We had them in our tournament group last season and we drew them both. They were both competitive games.

“We’ve always got a target for the season and that is to finish top of the league. I believe, with the squad that we’ve got, that we will be up there or thereabouts. I’m not going to say that we’re going to win it because I know there are some quality teams in the Premier League but we hope to be in the mix at the end of the season.”

East Allington United (in red) reached the semi-finals of the Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup last season where they lost out 3-2 to hosts Watts Blake Bearne. ©MiraclePR.com

East Allington United manager Luke Harvey, whose first season in charge of the Pirates was disrupted by the virus, will be looking to kick off the new season with a morale-boosting piece of silverware in Friday evening’s Charity Shield match against fellow South Hams outfit Meadowbrook Athletic.

“It sets you up with a positive note to the start of the season. It almost sends a message of what we’re aiming to do this season, which is to win things,” he said. “We’ve got some new players coming in so for them to win something straight off the bat and go into the new season in a confident mood would be fantastic. I want to see a good manner of performance with a lot of effort and a lot of fight.

“Pre-season has been pretty good. I’ve been quite impressed with the lads. We beat Liverton, who play at Step Seven, 3-1 which I was very impressed with, the manner of the display more than anything. Generally, it’s just been getting fitness back and fine-tuning things ready for the season.

The social side of our club is like no other I’ve ever been at. It’s a positive changing room which bodes well for the future

Luke Harvey, First Team Manager

“We’ve got some new additions to the squad and Josh Pascoe, having been away with Dartmouth, has decided to come back to us. He’s a great addition, a real ball-playing midfielder who complements the other midfielders. It’s given us a different dynamic.

“We’ve got a good front three with good forward options from the bench. Any additions to the team are always welcome though.

“We have some big characters: Dan Bowles, Finley Bullen, Josh Pascoe, Josef Sita; they’re all experienced footballers, help the younger ones and bring a good vibe and fun side to things in the dressing room. The social side of our club is like no other I’ve ever been at. It’s a positive changing room which bodes well for the future.”

Regular followers of East Allington United will however notice the absence of one big character – goalkeeper Richard Teague.

“Sadly, Richard has had to step away from football for a little bit,” said Harvey. “He’s a huge character but we’ve got a 16 year old ‘keeper called Sam Perry coming through who is a very promising young player.”

The first league game of the season takes place this Saturday, a Premier Division clash between Ivybridge Town Reserves and Buckfastleigh Rangers at Erme Park. The rest of the teams kick off the following Saturday (4th September), with East Allington drawn away to Barton Athletic.

“It is a good competitive league so there are no easy teams now,” said Harvey. “Barton will be no different to any other team so we will show the same attitude that we go into every game. We’re looking to win and play well  and do the best we can against every team. Hopefully, come the end of the season we will be right up there.

“There are a lot of good teams in the league. The Windmill are no slouches and WBB are a good, well-drilled outfit. If we can win it, that would be outstanding and that’s what we will aim to do but I would be happy with anything in the top three.”

Harvey was also keen to point out that East Allington was like a family rather than just a football club.

“You ask anybody involved with the club,” he said. “The reserve team root for the first team, the first team root for the reserves and help out when they can. The fans are all local people, love the club and have been around for years. Geraldine, Martin and Andy Weeks, what they’ve done for the running of the club is second to none. We wouldn’t be the club we are without what they do.”

Come back tomorrow for the final part of the Charity Shield build-up – an interview with Meadowbrook Athletic manager Phil Collings.

Totnes and Dartington F.C. will be hosting this season’s TCS South Devon Football League Charity Shield competition on Friday night (6.30pm ko), a South Hams derby between Premier Division sides East Allington United and Meadowbrook Athletic. This season’s charity will be the league’s Benevolent Fund which provides financial support to players injured during the season.

Traditionally, the Shield is contested by the previous season’s league and Herald Cup winners but with neither competition concluded due to the pandemic, this season’s competing sides were invited based on overall team performance and player availability. 

Both sides reached the semi-finals of last season’s Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup and East Allington had also missed out on the chance of a third Herald Cup in 2020 when that season’s competition also had to be curtailed at the semi-final stage.

Watch this space for interviews with managers Luke Harvey and Phil Collings as we build towards the season opener.