TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 4th OCT, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot ’66 contributed by SDFL
Whilst there were 176 goals in total scored, and yes Ashburton did actually score 24 of them in one game, it’s True Blues that continue to be upwardly mobile at the top of the Premier Division.
Unbeaten Newton Abbot ’66 (pictured) surrendered that record in a 4-1 defeat at Millbay Park to a Plymouth True Blues side that are setting the pace. Louis Brace scored a brace, with Mike Storey and Joe Couttes hitting singles to keep the Gers one point ahead of Ilsington Villa, who brought Totnes and Dartington back down to earth with a 3-nil win at Foxhole; once again, Callum Noyce was on the scoresheet and seems to be enjoying his Saturdays again. Jamie Soper and Daniel Langford also found the back of the net to bring the points back to the Carps.
Windmill are also well placed just two points behind Villa but with a game in hand following a fine 5-1 win at Paignton Saints courtesy of strikes from Brodie Simpson, Miles Hunt, Cory Distin and Jack Biscoe. The recommended watch for the week was at Kingsteignton Athletic, and the game did not disappoint. The visitors Lakeside Athletic had lost two of their three opening games and another defeat this early in the season would not have helped the cause. The man in the middle certainly had a busy afternoon, and the crowd enjoyed a nine goal thriller, which the visitors just shaded by the odd goal late in the game. Last season’s champions Newton Abbot Spurs finally got their first win of the season beating Buckfastleigh Rangers by eight goals to nil. Jacob Wales scored a hat-trick, and there were singles for Aiden Blackie, Gav Collins, Kye Drinkwater and Freddie Heath.
In Division One, pre-season favourites Mount Gould have taken over at the top and are the only team in this section with a 100 % record. A fine 7-2 home win against a fancied Beesands Rovers side, looking to bounce straight back into the top division, was set up with four goals from Bentley Alcantara, who is looking well-placed to do well in the race for the golden boot. Brixham Town and WBB are both level on points with the Mounties having both lost on the same day. Town were beaten 3-2 by a decent Watcombe Wanderers team who should win more than they lose, and the Claymen lost 2-1 at home to Barton Athletic who despite being fifth from bottom, are just three points off the top. Elburton Villa Reserves moved into fourth place following a 3-2 win at Liverton United, with goals from Lucas Phillips and Finley Lyle. Both Bovey Tracey Reserves and Paignton Villa got back to winning ways with good wins. Bovey had a comfortable afternoon at Homers Heath, with a 6-nil win against Buckland Athletic Reserves, and Villa recorded a 4-1 win versus a Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds team playing only their second game of the season.
Division Two has had most stats people checking the records for 56 goals in one Saturday in one division; I think they are still looking. Ashburton may have stolen the headlines with their 24 goals, but credit must go to Watcombe Wanderers Seconds for never giving up and even at 17-nil changing the formation to try something different, so well done to them, and I am sure they enjoyed their Saturday night out. There is not enough space for all the scorers but a mention for a substitute James Martin who came on with 15 minutes to go and scored four times. Dan Steer also scored four and Lee Grimshaw hit six. Paignton Saints Seconds picked up their first win of the season, and what a way to win: an 11-2 result versus Upton Athletic will give Saints something to build on.
At the top, Ivybridge Town Reserves gave up their 100% start to the season by losing 2-nil to Harbertonford and are now one of four teams on 12 points; George Gordon and Isaac Phillips were the match-winners for the Fords who are just three points off the top. Signal Box Oak Villa lead the division on goal difference thanks to a 6-1 win at Paignton Villa Seconds. A hat-trick from Jordan Rickard and singles from Paul Thompson, Harley Mitchell and Karl White secured the points that were heading down the A38. Babbacombe Corries’ 100% record remains intact, and a 5-nil win against an East Allington United Second team that have not had the best start to a season keeps Corries well placed. Drake FC are the fourth team level at the top and seem to be worthy of a place in Division Two; a 5-nil win at Newton Rovers keeps the Plymouth-based team as early contenders for a third promotion having never finished in the top two.
Division Three is a more straightforward division. Kingskerswell have opened up a six point gap between first and third, and their 100% record looks to be in good hands. Kyle Doughty, Toby Ballard and Sean McArdle scored the goals in a 4-nil win over Totnes and Dartington Seconds. Galmpton United trail three points behind and look the most likely to dent ‘Kerswell’s record, and a 2-1 win over a good Kingsteignton Athletic Second team keeps them well placed for that challenge. Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds go about their business under the radar, and a 3-1 home win versus South Brent moves them into fourth place, four points behind Galmpton. Templer Way had a shock loss this week, an 8-1 reverse against Stoke Gabriel TP has given the Bishopsteignton-based team some catch up work to do in their second season in the competition. For SGTP, they have two games in hand that could see them in the top three if they can win them. Liverton United Seconds move into fourth place with a 2-1 win over Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds thanks to goals from Simon Ross and Kye Graham. Rangers remain pointless alongside Ipplepen Athletic Seconds and Totnes and Dartington Seconds, and all three teams have come close to picking up points so cant be far away from kick-starting the season.
Division Four has also opened up a tad, with Teign Village winning 4-1 at home against Paignton Villa Thirds to move three points clear of local rivals Chudleigh Athletic Seconds who were on County Cup duty on a non-County Cup weekend, and Brixham Town Seconds moved into third place with a great 6-nil win over Newton Rovers Seconds at Bakers Park. Kingsbridge and Kellaton United also had a great win in another nine goal thriller, 5-4 against a travelling Bere Alston United Reserves side is a good result in anybody’s book, but for a team that has endured more struggles than most, shows real character in the group of players that they have.
Games to catch on Saturday 11th October:
With no SDFL league games being played due to the County Cups taking place, It’s your opportunity to watch teams from other parts of Devon. This week’s pick of the bunch in the Premier Cup are Chudleigh Athletic at home to Step 7 club Ipplepen Athletic, Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves host North Molton and Ilsington Villa will welcome East Budleigh. Waldon Athletic are due back to playing duty and host Upottery at Windmill Hill.
In the Senior Cup, there are a number of South Devon v Exeter games: East Allington United Seconds v Newtown; Brixham Town v Exeter University Thirds; Beesands v Dawlish United; Barton Athletic v Central FC, and likewise in the Intermediate Cup: Kingsbridge and Kellaton United host Starcross Dons; Teign Village v Cheriton Fitzpayne. The draw has been kind to most South Devon-based teams which will cause the Referee Secretary a headache with so many playing at home, but spare a thought for Exmouth Albion who have to travel to Bere Alston United Seconds, a round trip of just 122 miles. All of these games start at 2pm.
Enjoy your grassroots football.