Matt Beer scored on his debut as Kingsteignton won 6-2 at Osborne Park. ©MiraclePR
Kingsteignton Athletic set out their stall last Saturday with an accomplished 6-2 victory at near neighbours Newton Abbot ’66 in the Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League Premier Division.
On a firm pitch at Osborne Park, Tom Reeves got things underway with a third minute opener, driving his low shot into the back of the net from the left side of the area. The Sixes came close to an equaliser when Keran Fletcher almost guided a header past Wayne Pearce on 15 minutes. One minute later it was all square, Billy Snell hitting a fierce drive from outside the box which hit the back of the net.
The best times to score goals are often at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second. Kingsteignton did both. On 45 minutes, the Rams found space on the right to cross, the ball which was turned in from close range, possibly off a defender.
There was no doubt about who scored Kingsteignton’s third. On their first attack of the second half, Reeves slipped Mark Voisey through on the left. The striker cut inside and hit his shot under the ‘keeper. Ollie Kewell headed over the bar from a Matt Beer cross before Beer had a chance to open his Rams account after David Pinnell awarded them a free-kick just outside the box. From a central position, Beer’s free-kick cannoned down off the crossbar to make it 4-1 with 53 minutes played. Newton ’66 then had their best spell of the game and were unlucky not to pull a second back when Pearce’s misplaced pass gave them a free shot on goal. Substitute Tom Lowe also drew gasps of relief from Kingsteignton when his cross from the right flashed across the face of goal. On 79 minutes, the home side were awarded a free-kick in an identical position to that from which Beer had scored at the other end. Snell made no mistake with a superb shot that curled into the top left. Any hopes of a comeback were quashed four minutes later when Matt Hooper struck Kingsteignton’s fifth. With two minutes remaining, sub Ashley Dove put the icing on the cake by converting Kewell’s free-kick.
Former Sixes goalkeeper Callum Jack celebrated a clean sheet on his Watts Blake Bearne debut as the Claymen scored three without reply at home to last season’s Premier Division champions Buckfastleigh Rangers. Cam Gill got himself up and running with a hat-trick for Brad Killerby’s side and Mike Tapper also found the net.
Last season’s top Premier Division goalscorer Fin Bullen put away an opening day hat-trick as East Allington United beat newly promoted Chudleigh Athletic 5-3 at Poole Lane. New signing Dylan Coates celebrated a debut goal for the Pirates with Rob Tapper also on target. Nik Garrett, Adam Biggs and Louis Hooper kept things close with the visitors’ goals.
Brixham AFC Reserves started their season on a positive note with a 3-1 triumph away at Elburton Villa Reserves, while Waldon Athletic enjoyed a 2-0 home win over Ivybridge Town Reserves. Ajay Tehrani scored a screamer of a free-kick for the Clarets and Ollie Mason scored their other goal with a clinical finish.
In Division One, Braces from Billy Reay and Kye Graham helped Torquay Town off to a flyer at the Steve Jane Memorial Ground as the Torbay side beat Harbertonford 7-0. Babbacombe Corinthians also made a winning start to their campaign, celebrating a 4-1 victory over Barton Athletic at the Broadmeadow Sports Facility.
The other three games all finished level, including Morley Rangers’ SDFL debut at home to Beesands Rovers. Corbin Mackin scored twice for Rangers with former Salcombe goalscorer Ash Yeoman and Jamie Watts on target for the Bees. Dan Langford, last season’s top goalscorer across all divisions, opened his account with a brace as Ilsington Villa drew 3-3 at Plympton Athletic. Upton Athletic and Paignton Villa fought out a 1-1 draw at Armada Park.
Further down the divisions, Terry Hunter scored five goals for Waldon Athletic Reserves as they put sixteen goals past Barton Athletic Reserves in Division Three.
Next week, attention turns to the county cups with two South Devon derbies to look forward to in the Sportslighting Devon Premier Cup. Brixham AFC Reserves host Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves while WBB travel to Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police. Kingsteignton Athletic, who won the Senior Cup last season, welcome Barnstaple Town Reserves to Broadpark while East Allington play Mountwise AFC at Poole Lane.
Chudleigh, Waldon and Newton ’66 have been drawn away, against Combe Martin, Millbridge and Sidmouth Town Reserves respectively.
Elburton Villa Reserves and Buckfastleigh Rangers get a free pass to the Second Round with home walkovers against Torrington Reserves and Braunton. Ivybridge Town Reserves are also through courtesy of a First Round bye.