BULLEN BULLIES BRIXHAM: East Allington marksman scores three in 6-1 victory over Fishermen. Photo © Al Macphee/MiraclePR.com
Report contributed by SDFL.
With the divisions starting to take shape after 3 weekends of league football, it’s interesting to see that 3 of the top 4 teams in the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division were promoted from Division One last season.
In the game of the day, Tony Lacey’s Ilsington Villa team beat Morley Rangers by 2 goals to 1 at Plymstock School. Jamie Soper scored both goals to secure a valuable 3 points against a Plymouth team who will be there or thereabouts next May. Morley remain top of the table by virtue of goal difference, and they have played a game more than their rivals. Beesands Rovers, the other promoted team, had a comfortable afternoon against a young Chudleigh Athletic team with a 3-nil victory. Newton Abbot ’66 complete the top four but were held at home by an improving WBB team with a 2 – 2 draw. Elsewhere in the Premier Division, East Allington United got their season up and running with a fine 6 -1 win versus Brixham AFC Seconds; Finley Bullen scored a hat trick; Dylan Coates, Martin Finneron and Ben Taylor made sure the points were going to the South Hams. Waldon Athletic stay in 5th place having beaten Elburton Villa 3 – 2 down in Plymouth. Last season’s heavyweights Kinsgteignton Athletic and Buckfastleigh Rangers settled for a 3 – 3 draw at Broadpark; Alex Harding, Tom Reeves and Mark Voisey were on the scoresheet for the Rams.
In Division One, only Newton Abbot Spurs 2nd, Brixham Town and Paignton Saints have a 100 % record as Watcombe Wanderers were held to a 3 – 3 draw at Totnes and Dartington. Spurs continue their impressive start to life in the SDFL with a 6 – 1 home win versus Upton Athletic; Aiden Blackie and Joe Bushin scored 2 each, Ricardo Morranzonie and Alastair Nixon both got in on the act to keep their team top of the table. Paignton Saints won’t want to let Spurs get too far ahead in the race to the Premier League. A 5-nil home win against a fancied Ivybridge Town Seconds keeps them well placed. Goals from Jamie Micklewright, Ben Clarke, Charlie Cuss and Eden Cresswell Cluer keeps them 6 points behind with 2 games in hand; Brixham Town have also had a good start to the season, and a 3 – 1 victory at South Devon College, against Paignton Villa, keeps them in 2nd place on goal difference. Harbertonford enjoyed their 2nd win in as many weeks; Alan Hammet scored the only goal of the game for the Fords which sees them in mid table. Buckland Athletic Seconds also secured their second win in the SDFL since moving from the DFL. A 2-nil victory at Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds puts them nicely placed in mid table.
Bovey Tracey Seconds look like they are continuing their fine form from last season; a 7 – 1 demolition of unbeaten Newton Rovers makes them the team to beat in Division Two. Barton Athletic, who are enjoying winning games again, are remaining on Bovey’s heels; a 3 – 1 win at WBB Seconds keeps them unbeaten. Zach Norton, Liam Nothcott and Daniel Tyler got the goals that secured the points. Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds also remain well placed, but their defence may have to look at themselves having conceded 4 goals to Brixham Town Seconds. It took goals from Luis Green, Tom Slocombe, Nathen Cole and game changers (used to be called subs) Luke Selley and Deven Webb to secure a 7 – 4 victory. East Allington Utd Seconds have also started well with a fine 5-nil win at Waldon Athletic Seconds. Tyler Littlejohns, Alister Selby, Sam Quick and Lee Prestage found the net at Windmill Hill.
Can anyone stop Watcombe Wanderers Seconds in Division Three? A convincing 3-nil home win against pre-season favourites Ashburton put them 6 points clear at the top and the only team with a perfect record. Looks like this division could be a race for second place. Totnes and Dartington currently hold that place, and a 5 – 3 win at Teign Village with goals from Ben Towl, Scott Troth, Ben Harnett Davis and Jordan Baxter secured the points and provided plenty of talking points in the village club where they still charge for beer in pounds, shillings and pence!!! Liverton United Seconds, Stoke Gabriel TP Seconds and Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds also had good wins to keep them in the top half of the table.
In Division Four, only Elburton Villa Thirds and Liverton United Seconds have 100 % records. Previously unbeaten Plymouth side Drake FC came unstuck at Broadhempston United who held them to a 2 – 2 draw in a well contested game; David Alford scored both goals for the home team while Louis Thomas and Jordan Potter replied for Drake at Headlands. Liverton United remain in 2nd place following an 8 -1 demolition at Babbacombe Corries Seconds and Elburton Villa Thirds scored 6 against South Brent Seconds. Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds have also had a good start to the season and move up to 4th place with a 2 – 1 win at Barton Athletic Seconds; Joshua Snow and James Stafford were on target for the young Rams while Thomas Smith replied for Barton.
Recommended fixtures for 30th September.
The top two in the Premier Division meet at Ilsington Villa where Newton Abbot ’66 are the visitors in what should be a great game. Beesands take on Waldon Athletic; both have had a good start to the season and will be looking to keep up with the leaders or there is a Plymouth derby where Elburton Villa meet Plymstock based Morley Rangers who will be looking to bounce back after their first defeat.
Two massive games in Division One: both unbeaten Brixham Town and Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds clash at J.C. Park in a game that could put a claim on one of the promotion places early in the season; another game that has the same importance is at Long Lane where Watcombe Wanderers meet Paignton Saints in what will be a highly contested fixture.
The stand out game in Division Two is Bovey Tracey Seconds versus Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds at the Western Counties Ground where the top two go head to head.
In Division Three, South Brent will be looking to stop Watcombe Wanderers Seconds running away with this group at Palstone Park, and in Division Four, Drake will be looking to getting back to winning ways when they welcome South Brent Seconds, and Liverton United Seconds host an improving Broadhempston outfit.
Plenty of great local football to support, so get out in the fresh South Devon air and support South Devon League Football.