Photo ©MiraclePR

Good Afternoon All.

Hope you are all staying safe and looking forward to a different kind of Christmas. Whoever said that it would all end in Tiers could not spell very well !!!

I wanted to update our member clubs on what progress has been made and the current situation at the Christmas break.

COVID. Since the start of the TCS SDFL season we have had 11 positive tests from players or officials and two players have had to isolate through being in contact with a person who tested positive.

As a result of this, 31 games have been postponed but the good news is that all concerned have made a full recovery.

LEAGUE SEASON. As last season had to be curtailed due to COVID, the Committee put a restructure to member clubs which was agreed at the AGM. We were able to do this as we had nine new applications for membership which allowed us to put some clubs into respective divisions to create competition across the league.

A number of people have told me that we have the most competitive Premier Division that we have had for years and if you look at the results for 5th December you will see that there were only six games played but in two of them a team in the bottom three beat a team in the top three. That’s competition.

THE FUTURE. In the current climate, we can only do what we are allowed to do and we are further forward than most other leagues.

We have 22 playing Saturdays left plus light evenings for seven weeks after the clocks change so you can check how your own club sits with games but here are some examples:

Premier. Broadmeadow have 18 games to play. That means four spare Saturdays with no mid-weeks.

Barton Athletic have 23 games to play. That means no spare Saturdays and one mid-week at the moment.

Div One. Upton Athletic have 12 games to play. That means ten free Saturdays and no mid-weeks (they could be on the beach by Easter).

Kingsteinton Athletic / ‘Kerswell and Chelston/ Harbertonford and Waldon Athletic have 16 games to play. That means six free Saturdays and no mid-weeks.

Div Two. Ilsington Villa have 14 games to play. That means eight free Saturdays and no mid-weeks.

Torbay Police 2nds have 18 games to play. That means four free Saturdays and no mid-weeks.

Div Three. Six teams have 19 games to play. That’s only three free Saturdays and WBB 2nds have 23 games still to play so mid-weeks will be needed at Abbrook Park.

The Management Committee have decided to delay a decision on our cup competitions until March as there is no point starting them sooner in case we are forced into another lockdown and we feel it’s more important to concentrate on the league games. I would also say that we have not forgotten the clubs that are still in last season’s competition.

I also want to wish good luck to our teams that have decided to enter the County cups that start on 2nd January.

That just leaves me to wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a safe new year and thank you for what you do for your club (I am wishing for a vaccine jab and a dry winter)

Stay Safe

Alastair Muirden

Secretary – South Devon Football League

Photograph (c) MiraclePR

Ahead of the restart of the TCSSDFL on Saturday 5th December, the League Secretary, Alastair Muirden has provided the following statement:

“Hope you are all well and looking forward to some outdoor activity.

“Following the latest Government announcement that Devon will be in Tier 2, the FA have stated that we are able to restart our SDFL season on Saturday 5^th Dec.

“You will note that the fixtures are up to date on our website and you will be notified of the officials in the normal way.

“We are asking every Club to take a moment to revisit their COVID protocols before Saturday and update anything that needs to be done as it has all been unused for a month.

“Can I remind all clubs that if you decide to use changing rooms then the recommended segregation should be applied.

“If you are fortunate enough to have a clubhouse it should remain closed apart from a one way system to use the toilets if that is the only access point.

“All positive COVID tests relating to your club should be reported to myself as soon as possible as it gives us more time to move fixtures around.

“Once again, I would thank you for what you do for SDL football. Let’s try to keep everybody safe and enjoy some football.”

With October drawing to a close, no Premier Division team has yet managed to stake a claim as 2020/21 title contenders. With leaders Meadowbrook Athletic losing their unbeaten record last Saturday, the league appears to be anyone’s for the taking – at least at this early stage.

After their first game at Barton was postponed due to a problem with the pitch, Brook didn’t take to the field until 12th September. They then scored six goals in their opening three games. Liam Collings scored a hat-trick as they came out on top of an 11 goal thriller at home to Torbay Police, winning the game 6-5. Sam Chorley grabbed a brace for the Bees. The Dartington based side won 6-1 at Broadmeadow on the 19th September, Shane Roberts grabbing a double, and ended September as the only Premier team with a 100% record. Collings scored four and Myles Chalcraft contributed a double in a 6-2 home victory over Ivybridge Reserves. Brook took over at the top of the table in the first week of October after a 3-2 away at Buckland Athletic Development, Collings scoring twice again. They claimed a big scalp the following week, beating Barton Athletic 2-1 at the Dorothy Elmhirst ground with Collings and Roberts on target. Then came a home game against Elburton. Thomas Comyn and James Thomas looked to have put Brook on course for a sixth straight victory but a second half goal from Dan Barnes and a spectacular free-kick from Alex Photiou earned the visitors a point and scuppered the division’s last remaining 100% record. A tough home game against Ipplepen Athletic followed last Saturday with Lee Grimshaw’s hat-trick helping the visitors to a 4-2 win despite them having had a player sent off early in the second half with the scores at 2-2.

Ipplepen Athletic moved up to second spot with that win and are now just a point behind Brook albeit having played an extra game. They looked destined to lose their first game, trailing 1-0 at Torbay Police in stoppage time, but they salvaged a draw with the last kick of the game, a 25 yard effort into the bottom corner. The Pens then dealt East Allington United a second heavy defeat on the bounce, winning 7-1 at Moor Road with Lee Grimshaw putting away a hat-trick and Dan Steer scoring twice. Back at home the following week, Ipplepen fought out a goalless draw with The Windmill FC, formerly from the Plymouth & West Devon League. The Pens ended the month with a trip to Elburton Reserves, another new arrival from Plymouth, and drew that game as well, 2-2 the result. Ipplepen moved into third spot at the start of October after a 3-1 home victory against Broadmeadow, Daniel Steer scoring twice. Visiting Buckland Athletic Development finally ended the Pens unbeaten run with a 3-0 victory the following week, Beck Hannah with two goals for Bucks. They recovered by beating Watts Blake Bearne 4-1 at Moor Road on 17th October, Lee Grimshaw doubling up.

Completing the top three, and level on points with Ipplepen, are Buckfastleigh Rangers. Rangers celebrated an opening day home victory against Salcombe Town, winning 4-2 at the Duckspond. Ian Howse scored twice with Ash Yeoman getting both goals for the visitors. In fact, Rangers were at home for their first three games and took full advantage, beating Ivybridge Reserves 3-1 on the 12th September and Plympton Athletic Reserves 4-1 on the 19th with Steven Sutton scoringd twice, once from the spot.

“Home advantage is always nice,” admitted Buckfastleigh club secretary Tim Crimp. “If you make a good start it gets you confidence. Hopefully they travel as well as they play at home.”

Unfortunately for Rangers, their trip to Newton Abbot ’66 ended in a 3-1 defeat with the Sixes picking up their first victory in the process. After a week off due to Storm Alex, Rangers roared back to winning ways with a 5-1 victory at Salcombe Town followed by a narrow 1-0 win at Plympton Athletic Reserves, Tom Moody with a neat turn and finish.

Are Rangers looking for promotion? Crimp isn’t revealing any grand plans yet.

“Everything’s in place. The facilities are as good as most places and the majority of the players have been here for a good few years now which is a good starting base,” he said. “But you’ve got to be patient and wait until Christmas or the New Year – coronavirus providing!

“Come Christmas, if we’re up at the top, things may change and we might take on something new.”

Salcombe Town have had an inconsistent start to the season results-wise with four wins and three defeats. After their opening day defeat at Buckfastleigh, they lost 3-2 at home to The Windmill FC before securing their first success of the season with a last gasp winner at Torbay Police. Ashley Yeoman, who had already netted once from open play, scored a late penalty to beat the Bees 3-2. Yeoman then grabbed a hat-trick in another 3-2 scoreline as The Crabs beat the Fishermen of Brixham AFC Reserves at the Malborough Playing Fields. Yeoman was one of seven goalscorers in Salcombe’s next game. He scored two of his side’s eight goals against Elburton Reserves who ended the day bottom of the table. Then came that home loss against Buckfastleigh followed by a 5-2 home win over Ivybridge Town Reserves, Charlie Barnes with a brace in that game.

Watts Blake Bearne complete the top six. They made a winning return to the division they won in 2010, knocking five past Buckland Athletic Development without reply. New signing Lewis Perring struck twice for the Claymen as did Billy Clinch.

Perring scored his first hat-trick of the season a week later in Wattsies’ 8-1 victory over Brixham AFC Reserves at Abbrook Park.

Manager Andy Moore was chuffed with his side’s winning start.

“We had a good pre-season, fitness levels are high and I’ve made incredible signings this season with the likes of Lewis Perring and Sam Pearden”, he said. “Those two alone have absolutely bolstered my team; they’ve fitted in well and gelled really nicely”.

WBB made it three wins from three with a 3-2 victory at Osborne Park, Perring adding another two goals to his tally, but narrowly avoided a loss at home to The Windmill with that 2-2 draw the following week.

The Plymouth side were on the front foot from the off at Abbrook Park and flew into a two goal lead before The Claymen stemmed the tide and fought back for a share of the spoils.

WBB maintained their unbeaten start into October but had to battle hard for a draw at Brixham Reserves, the hosts unlucky not to claim all three points. Cam Gill struck twice to ensure a share of the spoils.

Those two draws were followed by two away defeats, the first a surprise 2-0 reverse at Elburton and the second that 4-1 loss at Ipplepen.

Four teams currently stand on 10 points which means that, incredibly, there are only 6 points between first and tenth place!

Watts Blake Bearne made a winning return to the division they won in 2010, knocking five past Buckland Athletic Development without reply. (c) Derek Castree

Newton Abbot ’66 started their campaign away at Elburton Reserves and came away with a point after a 1-1 draw. They then narrowly lost their first home game 2-1 to Plympton Athletic Reserves. Another tight loss, to WBB, was followed by their first win of the season, at home to Buckfastleigh. October started badly though, the Sixes roundly beaten 5-0 at East Allington United with Fin Bullen tucking away a hat-trick. They bounced back quickly though, enjoying a 2-1 victory over Buckland Athletic Development the following week. Adam Brenton then became the first Premier Division player to score five goals this season as Newton ’66 romped to a 7-2 triumph over Brixham AFC Reserves last Saturday.

Ivybridge Town Reserves got off to a decent start with two wins in their first three games. They kicked off with a 4-2 home win over Brixham Reserves and then responded to a loss at Buckfastleigh with a 4-1 home victory over Elburton Villa Reserves, Matt Hill scoring a hat-trick. Hill’s strike couldn’t prevent the heavy loss against WBB but the Ivies once again bounced straight back, Ryan McNaught scoring four of their goals as they thumped Plympton Athletic Reserves 6-1 away. McNaught helped turn things around against Torbay Police the following week, scoring twice as Ivybridge came back from two down to draw 3-3. Two tough games against Salcombe Town and The Windmill followed, both ending in defeats.

Broadmeadow ST also started well with a 4-1 opening day home win over Plympton Athletic Reserves, Chris Bennett kicking off his campaign with a hat-trick. Bennett scored again the following week as Broads entertained Barton Athletic but the visitors won 4-2, Stephen Rohan with a brace. Worse was to come the next week as Meadowbrook hit them for six. The defence sorted themselves out for the visit of East Allington United though, Andrew Espley scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory. Broads’ first game away from home ended in defeat at Ipplepen but they quickly responded with that surprise home win over The Windmill. Bennett and Callum Glew traded braces as Broads fought out a 2-2 draw with Brixham AFC Reserves on the 17th October. Their second away game finished with another loss though, Oakley Hunt doubling up for hosts Torbay Police in last Saturday’s game.

Broadmeadow ST started well with a 4-1 opening day home win over Plympton Athletic Reserves, Chris Bennett kicking off his campaign with a hat-trick. (c) Derek Castree

East Allington United are on a run of form now but the fact that they are in tenth place on goal difference highlights the terrible start they made. The Pirates endured heavy defeats at home to The Windmill and away at Ipplepen, conceding 15 goals in the process, before steadying the ship with a goalless draw at Brixham AFC Reserves. A third loss, 1-0 at Broadmeadow, followed before they finally enjoyed victory on 3rd October with that 5-0 home win over Newton ’66. East Allington are now on a run of three successive wins, beating Barton Athletic 2-1 on 17th October and Plympton Athletic by the same scoreline a week later, Finley Bullen with both goals.

Torbay Police will be looking to build on last week’s 2-0 home win over Broadmeadow after a start that has been marked by late, late goals – both for and against the Bees. On the opening day, at home to Ipplepen, a Pens own goal looked to have been enough to secure an opening day victory. But Ipplepen salvaged a draw with the last kick of the game, a 25 yard Lee Grimshaw effort into the bottom corner.

“Conceding so late feels like a loss but overall, a draw was probably a fair result,” conceded Police Secretary Tim Perrin.

Following their 6-5 loss at Meadowbrook, the Police would once again succumb to a late blow, losing 3-2 to Salcombe due to a late spot-kick. A week later, the tide finally turned in the Police’s favour when substitute Lee Langley popped up with the winner in a 3-2 victory at Barton, scoring with the last kick of the game. Then, a fortnight later, Zac Chancellor’s last gasp penalty rescued the Bees a point at Ivybridge. Almost unbelievably, there was yet another last ditch decider the next week, The Windmill winning that one 2-1.

Plympton Athletic Reserves last tasted victory a month ago when Kieran O’Melia’s double helped them to a 5-1 win at Buckland Athletic Development. Their only other win so far has been a 2-1 victory at Newton ’66 on 12th September, sandwiched between 4-1 losses away at Broadmeadow and Buckfastleigh. Athletic began October with a heavy 6-1 loss at home to Ivybridge followed by a 1-1 draw with Brixham AFC Reserves at Wall Park. Since then, Plympton have fallen to narrow losses at home to Buckfastleigh and away at East Allington.

Barton Athletic have played fewer games than any other Premier club yet it is still surprising to see them languishing in 13th place given the wealth of talent they have brought into the club.

Things started well enough for the Torquay side with a 4-2 victory at Broadmeadow in their opening game. Shane Essam then scored twice at Buckland Athletic Development as Barton won 3-0.

“They were a good passing side but we were just a bit more clinical in front of goal,” said Barton manager Luke Reeby. “It probably should have been about four or five. We had a decent start and they struggled with the big man up front.

“But if we play like we did today, we won’t get anywhere near the league. Three points is the most important thing but I know we’ve got a lot more than we offered today.”

Over a month later and the Blues are still looking for another win. In fact, they have lost all three games they have played since with narrow losses at home to Torbay Police and away at Meadowbrook and East Allington.

Buckland Athletic Development bounced back quickly from their heavy opening day loss at WBB to win 2-1 at Elburton Villa Reserves. With three home games to come, Bucks might have fancied picking up more points. But if the Denbury Playing Fields have provided the Yellows with any advantage, it hasn’t shown in the results. Losses at home to Barton, Plympton and Meadowbrook left Buckland in a rut. Few would have predicted that they would end that series of losses at high-flying Ipplepen but that’s exactly what happened, Buckland upsetting the odds to win 3-0. They were unable to build on that win though and their last game, on the 17th October, was a 2-1 loss at Newton ’66.

Elburton Villa Reserves have just the one win under their belts so far but it was an impressive one, the Plymouth side beating WBB 2-0 on the 10th October. Having also drawn with Meadowbrook and Ipplepen, Villa’s next-to-bottom position may not be a fair reflection of their potential. Elburton have also drawn with Newton ’66, on the opening day of the season, but have lost to Buckland, Ivybridge, and Salcombe, losing 8-0 to the latter.

Brixham AFC Reserves may be winless and propping up the table but it has not all been doom and gloom. Losses to Ivybridge and WBB (the latter a heavy 8-1 thrashing) have been followed mainly by draws. WBB and Plympton were both held at Wall Park and the Fishermen returned from both Broadmeadow and East Allington with a point. They also almost salvaged a point at Salcombe, despite being three down at the break. Their last outing was a disappointment though as they went down 7-2 at Newton ’66.

Brixham AFC Reserves may be winless and propping up the table but it has not all been doom and gloom. (c) Derek Castree