TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 13th SEP, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot ’66 contributed by SDFL
The Premier Division finally kicked off, a week late due to those County Cup games that were brought forward, but most were worth the wait.
In what was tipped as the game of the day turned out to be result of the day, as Newton Abbot ’66 sent Lakeside Athletic back to Plymouth empty-handed in what was only their second league defeat in three seasons. This was a great game of football, and the visitors were for long periods of the game the better of the two teams, but they could not finish in front of goal and ’66 did what they do best: they soaked up the pressure, played a lot of long balls and scored two goals against the run of play. Lakeside got themselves frustrated and it clearly affected their performance; Callum Foskett and Callum Crotty scored the goals for Sixes to give them a 2-1 home win to kick off their league season. And a special mention for man of the match Marc Graham who not only organised the Sixes defence when they were under pressure, he lifted the whole team to up their game. Not bad for a player north of fifty.
But it is Kingsteignton Athletic who sit at the top after game one following a belting 6-nil win over Waldon Athletic; Tom Reeves, Sam Morgan, Archie Law and Dan Rankin got singles and Mathew Elmore scored a brace to set the Rams on their way to a better start than last season. Plymouth True Blues have had a positive start to a first season in the Premier Division; they had to work hard to come away from Totnes & Dartington with a 4-2 win, and perhaps Russell Martin north of the border could do with some attacking ideas from his Plymouth worshipers. It was business as usual for Ilsington Villa with a very tight 2-1 win versus a Paignton Saints team who look like they could have a better season than last. Jack Langford and new signing Callum Noyce were on target for the Moorlanders.
In Division One, Beesands Rovers still lead the pack but were held to a 2-2 draw by Elburton Villa Reserves at Haye Road who were playing their first game of the new season. Alex Smith and Alfie Prowse were on target for the Bees who have had a positive start to the new term. Brixham Town got their season up and running at the second time of asking. A 5-1 win against Newton Spurs Thirds is a good result in anybody’s book. Tom Kelly, Macauley Dallow, Mark Griffiths and Lewis Booth were on target for the Fishermen. One of the pre-season favorites for promotion are Bovey Tracey Reserves, and an opening 4-1 win versus Watcombe Wanderers has got John Fleet’s side up and running for what could be a good season. Buckland Athletic Reserves also had a win on their opening day. A surprise 2-1 result against an experienced Liverton United team that already have 3 points on the board was a good result for a team that were struggling in the pre-season. WBB had to work hard for their 1-nil win at Paignton Villa, but it gets points on the board for the Claymen in what looks like it will be a tight division, with only three teams pointless after two weekends and Mount Gould have still to play.
In Division Two, Ashburton had a reminder that the higher you go the tougher it gets. They let a lead slip to lose at the hands of visiting Pirates, in the form of East Allington United Seconds, by 4 goals to 3, but it’s Drake FC and Ivybridge Town Reserves who lead the pack in the early weeks. Drake scored 7 goals against Harbertonford, courtesy of a Luis George hat-trick and aided by strikes from Alfie White, Scott Richards and James Chapman, whilst Ivybridge Town chalked up their second win of the season at the hands of Paignton Saints Seconds, by 2 goals to 1. New boys Signal Box had a shock defeat last week but put that well behind them, scoring 8 goals without reply against Newton Rovers: Jake Cribb and Joe Haslem both hit hat-tricks with Ben Wildman and Connor Brandon scoring one each. The final game in this division had a late twist before it kicked off. Both Paignton Villa Reserves and Upton Athletic arrived at Churston Grammar School only to find the pitch had not been marked out. Now, they could have all spent the afternoon in the Weary Ploughman enjoying some autumnal sunshine, but Jasmine Norton was having none of it. A couple of phone calls and off they all drove to Stoke Gabriel TP to get the game played on their second pitch, and after all that, Upton wished that they had stayed in the Ploughman as they lost 11-nil with Alex Narvidge netting four and Ashley Beetschen hitting a hat-trick. Now that’s grassroots football, and well done to both clubs for making it all happen.
Division Three is going to be a good competition and is already shaping up with seven teams having points on the board; the other five need to find a result before the distance opens up.
Templer Way are the big surprise team: after such a good season last term, they have lost their opening two fixtures, this time to Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds, by 3 goals to 2, thanks to strikes from Ashley Heyworth, Finley Lumgair and Jack Lee. Liverton United Reserves are the early pace setters, and a 4-1 home win versus Totnes and Dartington Seconds, with goals from Oliver West, Kye Graham and Simon Ross, overshadowed the fact that they played the last 20 minutes with 10 players. Kingskerswell remain neck and neck at the top following a 6-nil win at Ipplepen Athletic Reserves, and since they reformed, they have now won 23 games on the bounce. Also keeping an early pace are Galmpton United and Waldon Athletic Seconds. Galmpton enjoyed their first taste of victory with a 2-1 win over Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds, and Waldon Athletic put three points on the board with a fine 3-1 victory at South Brent thanks to Bailey Clarke, Josh Garside and Luke Lewis all finding the net.
Division Four is also shaping up to be a tight division with eight of the eleven teams having points on the board. Chudleigh Athletic Seconds lead the pack with their second win of the season. A 5-1 win at Bakers Park versus Newton Rovers Reserves is a comprehensive win and no doubt sends a message to the other teams. Waldon Athletic Thirds picked up three points in a hard fought game against a young Bere Alston United Reserves team who were experiencing a trip to Torquay for the first time; Marley Isaac scored the only goal of the game for the Clarets. Kingsbridge and Kellaton United also got their season up and running with a fine 6-3 home win versus Paignton Saints Thirds, and the points sees them slip into the lofty heights of fourth place after two games. The final game to be played in Division Four saw Paignton Villa Thirds and Brixham Town Seconds share the points in a 2-2 draw at White Rock. Tom Bintcliffe scored both Villa goals and both teams have a point on the board.
County Cups
There was more success for our teams playing delayed fixtures. Windmill FC travelled to Ottery St Mary (Step 7) and East Allington United had a day out in Winkleigh (Exeter), and both steered themselves into Round Two.
Games to catch on Saturday 20th September:
If you are looking for a football fix before Saturday, the first Friday night game of the season kicks off at 7.15 at Newton Rec where Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves take on East Allington United in the opening Premier Division game for both teams.
There are a couple of Premier games that catch the eye. Firstly, a local derby at Millbay Park where Plymouth True Blues welcome The Windmill for a game that will attract a big crowd and no doubt some entertainment, and Totnes and Dartington play Kingsteignton Athletic who will be looking to stay on top of the top division.
In Division One, the standout games look to be at JC Park, where Brixham Town face Paignton Villa in what should be a colourful affair, and Beesands Rovers, who are getting used to winning again, travel to Long Lane to face Watcombe Wanderers.
Division Two also has a couple of stand out games. Ashburton lock horns with Drake FC for a fixture that last season was in Division Three and produced two great games, and Ivybridge Town Reserves have a semi-local derby against East Allington Reserves at Erme Valley.
In Division Three, South Brent are the latest team to try to beat Kingskerswell, and Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves face a Liverton United Reserves team that have started the season well.
Division Four offers one of the longest trips of the season for any SDFL team when Chudleigh Athletic Reserves travel to Bere Alston United Reserves for the first time, with both looking to keep a good start to the season on track, and Barton Athletic Reserves welcome Teign Village to Barton Downs.
All games have a 2.30pm kick off, and all fixtures are available to view on the league’s Full Time website.
Enjoy your autumnal Saturdays with the South Devon Football League!