Kingsteignton Athletic make the short trip to Osborne Park for their Torbay Clearance Services Premier Division opener on Saturday, having already lifted the Charity Shield to add yet more silverware to the Broadpark trophy cabinet. Having held on to the majority of their quadruple-winning squad, while bringing in proven winners such as Dan Rankin and Matt and Ross Beer from Buckland Athletic, the Rams could be another formidable outfit this season.
Not far away, Watts Blake Bearne will be kicking off their campaign at home to last season’s league winners Buckfastleigh Rangers at Abbrook Park. WBB, who recently picked up the Devon FA grassroots grounds team award, are hungry for success on the pitch after flattering to deceive at the start of last season. Bradley Killerby has now taken the reins at Wattsies and has already strengthened the first team by bringing in the likes of Bradley Rooney, from Bovey Tracey Reserves, and goalkeeper Callum Jack from Newton Abbot ’66. Jake Moore will once more wear the captain’s armband while Cam Gill and Billy Clinch will be sure to give opposition defences something to think about again this season. In contrast, Rangers have lost some serious firepower with Ryan Lucassi stepping down and Joshua Zimmerman leaving the club. All three centre-backs from last season have also exited the club, but at least Colin Barnard can still call upon Rangers’ top scorer last season, Steve Sutton, as he looks to rebuild. Luke Brown, a former Tavistock player, and young attacking midfielder Kian Berry have joined the club.
Newly promoted Waldon Athletic, under new manager Paul Feasby, will host Ivybridge Town Reserves at Windmill Hill. The Ivies have brought in a trio of players from neighbours Plympton Athletic, Mike Vanstone, Dan Edwards and Chris Batey, as they aim to improve on last season’s bottom half placement. Goalkeepers Luke Fletcher and Allan Tercjak have also signed, replacing the outgoing Phillip Knight. Ryan McNaught and Alex and Richard Henniker have departed the club.
Last season’s surprise package, Elburton Villa Reserves name former Ivybridge Development attacker Matt Goodwin among their new signings. They host a Brixham AFC Reserves side reeling from the loss of several players from the squad that came so close to winning the title. The Fishermen have retained top goalscorer Mark ‘Chico’ Griffiths though, and goalkeeper Ryan Walton has impressed in pre-season as a forward. Lee Hazlewood has also brought in Dan Tucker, from Buckland Athletic, and Scott Walker.
East Allington United have strengthened their attacking line-up by bringing in Dylan Coates who has been impressive in preseason alongside Fin Bullen, who was the division’s leading goalscorer last season. The Pirates open their campaign by welcoming promoted Chudleigh Athletic to Poole Lane.
In Division One, the SDFL’s newest club, Plymouth-based Morley Rangers, play their first game at home to Beesands Rovers, Plymstock School Sports Centre the venue. Plympton Athletic have returned to the South Devon League and face a tough test against Division Two double winners Ilsington Villa. Elsewhere in Division One, Torquay sides Babbacombe Corinthians and Barton Athletic do battle at Windmill Hill; Upton Athletic host Paignton Villa at Armada Park and Torquay Town travel to Harbertonford.