TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 3rd OCTOBER, by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Ilsington Villa contributed by SDFL
This weeks report starts with a get well soon message for 16 year old Charlie Prout, who broke his leg in a fair challenge when playing for WBB against Paignton Saints Thirds in Division Five. The game was only nine minutes old when the referee was forced to abandon the fixture due to the distress of team-mates and supporters. All of the SDFL football family send their best wishes to Charlie and hope for a quick recovery.
In the Premier Division, Lakeside Athletic sent a catch us if you can message to the other teams as they are now the only team not to lose a game in the Premier Division. They went eight points clear in the process of winning three-nil at Paignton Saints at Coach Road. In fact, the rest of the division is offering some competitive football with only four points separating the team third from bottom and the team in second place. Ilsington Villa (pictured) seem to be less predictable at Lewthorne Cross these days, and today’s 2-2 draw with Kingsteignton Athletic keeps both teams well placed in third and sixth, only separated by one point. Gavin Lake and Matt Warman were on target for the Moorlanders. Plymouth True Blues found their mojo in inflicting a painful 4-2 defeat for Newton Abbot ’66 who have not won a league game since the opening day of the season. It was True Blues’ first victory of the season, at the third attempt, and puts them into mid-table. Danny Wright, Caleb Tayliss and Oliver Tyson scored for the Blues. The other Newton Abbot team, Spurs Reserves, had a great result at the Rec. A 5-nil win against East Allington United puts them into fourth place as the division starts to take shape. The game between the bottom two went the way of the visitors when Chudleigh Athletic picked up their first win with a 3-1 result at Totnes and Dartington, who are now the only team in the top division without a point. Jack Wills, George Davidson and Jake Cogavin won the points for the Clarets.
There are new leaders in Division One following Paignton Villa‘s 5-1 win versus Babbacombe Corries at Long Lane. Corries have now played three of the top four in their opening three games. Buckland Athletic Seconds continue to keep pace with the leaders and are showing some intent this season. A 3-1 win at Buckfastleigh Rangers puts them into third place, two points behind Villa with an early game in hand. Rangers, on the other hand, are one of three teams pointless after three games. One of those teams is Brixham Town, who must be wondering what they need to do to win a league game having lost again by the same scoreline. This week’s 3-2 loss to Beesands Rovers, in a game that had three red cards and no official referee, may have given the supporters an entertaining afternoon, but it has not done much for the Fishermen. Rovers, however, pick up their first three points and no doubt enjoyed the trip home. Bovey Tracey Reserves also had a good afternoon, just edging a 2-1 result at Watcombe Wanderers. Billy Robbins scored both the goals, and the result keeps them on target in fourth place. Watcombe remain just one place behind in fifth and proved again that Long Lane is not an easy place to win.
In Division Two, Galmpton United not only stay top but remain three points clear with a very close one-nil win at Tavistock Reserves in front of a decent attendance. Max Prestwood scored the match-winning goal for the Greens. Kingskerswell were also made to work to stay in second place. A 2-1 victory over a good Ashburton side, who, unbelievably, are yet to win a game and are one of two pointless teams in the division. Super-sub Oscar Mills scored both the ‘Kerswell goals to win the points. Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds are also keeping pace with the leaders in what is becoming a more productive season than last for them. This week’s 6-1 win against Paignton Villa Seconds keeps them just two points behind ‘Kerswell. Ivybridge Town Reserves leapfrogged True Blues Seconds and Liverton with a 7-1 win at East Allington United Seconds. The two forementioned teams shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Halford, with Mike Howes on target for Livvy.
Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds continue to lead the way in Division Three. A comprehensive 6-1 win at Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds keeps their 100 per cent record intact, and they are the only team not to lose after only three games. Horrabridge Rangers are level on points but have played a game more. They also enjoyed a 6-1 victory, at home to Ipplepen Athletic Seconds, who themselves have had a good start to the season. Stoke Gabriel TP Reserves finally got their season up and running with a 5-4 victory at newly promoted Chudleigh Atletic Seconds. Tyler Brown, Jack Salmons and Keiron Fletcher found the net for Chudleigh, but it was not enough to stop the Bees from taking the points. Newton Rovers moved into unchartered territory with a fine four-nil win versus Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds. The result sees Rovers sitting in third place and just two points behind the leaders.
Barton Athletic stay top of Division Four thanks to a three-nil home win against Brixham Town Seconds. Clay Whiston, Matt Ward and Jay Rich were on target for the Blues, who remain unbeaten after four games. Signal Box stay right behind them with a tight one-nil win at Waldon Athletic. They are also unbeaten but have dropped points with an early season draw. Bere Alston United Seconds and Ilsington Villa Seconds shared the points in a nil-nil draw, and it was the second draw in a week for both of these teams who sit in mid-table at the moment. Lakeside Athletic Seconds remain in third place on goal difference thanks to a 5-1 home win in the Plymouth derby game, and Buckland Athletic Thirds continue their promising start to the season with a five-nil win at Paignton Villa Thirds.
In Division Five, Tamerton Foliot would appear to be punching below their weight, and they remain five from five. This week, they beat Newton Albion 7-3 in what was an entertaining game for the supporters. Kingsbridge and Kellaton United got their first league win of the season with a four-nil home win against Newton Rovers Seconds, and Tavistock Thirds leapfrog Newton Albion into third place with a 5-1 victory versus Waldon Athletic Seconds. Ben Backway, Ryan Smale and Graham Galway were on target for the Lambs. As reported earlier, the WBB v Paignton Saints Thirds game was abandoned due to a serious injury and will probably have to be replayed. Fortunately, the game had an experienced referee who was able to deal with the situation and the process that follows. This was unlike nine other games that were played in the SDFL without an official referee. The league are eternally grateful to the volunteers that step forward to take charge of a fixture and do their best in sometimes difficult circumstances. As for the referee shortage, that is a different and longer discussion that needs addressing from above. The fact is that the SDFL is at the bottom of the food chain and is at the only level of adult football where a bystander would be asked to take charge of a game. Getting people from above this level to understand that would be the first step.
Games to catch week ending 10th October:
With just three league fixtures going ahead on Saturday 10th due to the county cups, those games can be seen at Millbay Park, where Plymouth True Blues face Kingsteignton Athletic in the Premier Division, and with both teams having had an indifferent start to the league season, the three points on offer could make for an entertaining game. In Division Four, WBB host Newton Rovers Reserves, and in Division Five, Tavistock Thirds welcome Kingsbridge and Kellaton United to Langsford Park.
There are some noteworthy fixtures in the county cups, and with fuel at £2.00 a litre, the last thing that Totnes and Dartington wanted was a trip to Braunton. Likewise, Landkey Town have to travel south to Chudleigh Athletic. The SDFL champions Lakeside Athletic take on Ottery St Mary in the east, and Ilsington Villa welcome Crediton Seconds to Lewthorne Cross, all in the Premier Cup.
In the Senior Cup, Ashburton must have the longest trip of the day, a nice day out for the lads at Lynton, and Plymouth True Blues follow close behind in the mileage stakes with a trip north to Woolsery, where neither of the SDFL teams will be home in time for Strictly. Kingskerswell host Axminster Seconds and at the opposite end of the mileage stakes, Watcombe Wanderers play Babbacombe Corries who both share the same pitch.
There are also some eyewatering journeys in the Intermediete Cup. Fortune favoured the SDFL teams in the draw when Paignton Villa Seconds came out of the hat first followed by Ilfracombe Town Seconds, and the same could be said for Tamerton Foliot and Windmill, who face Otterton and Holsworthy Thirds respectively. All of these cup games have a 2pm kick off.
Enjoy your grassroots football.