Villa’s Matthew Warman collecting his MOM award at last season’s Dartmouth Cup final. Photo © Derek Castree. Report by SDFL.
Ilsington Villa continue to dominate the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division and now are the only team in the top division with a 100% record; this week it was a highly rated WBB team who were on the end of a 3-nil defeat inflicted by the moorlanders.
Matthew Warman scored all three goals to keep his team 2 points clear of Morley Rangers who were held to a 2 -2 draw at home, with East Allington Utd who remain at the wrong end of the table but can beat anyone on the right day; Corbin Mackin got both Morley goals with Josh Pascoe and Ben Tapper replying for the South Hams side; the referee also had a busy afternoon in a game that saw 5 yellow cards. Beesands Rovers also continue their fine start to life in the Premier Division with a 3-nil win at Brixham AFC Reserves. After a slow start to the season, Waldon Athletic and last season’s champions Kingsteignton Athletic are starting to pick up points and remain in the chasing pack. Waldon had an excellent 5-nil win at Windmill Hill against last season’s runners-up Buckfastleigh Rangers; Ashley Grimes and Louis Roberts got 2 apiece whilst Jacob Knapman also got on the scoresheet; the result leaves Buckfastleigh Rangers with some work to do. Another reminder that the competition is fresh came at Elburton Villa who inflicted a 5 – 2 win against an improving Newton Abbot ’66 team who made the trip to Plymouth in third place but came away in sixth; Miles Hunt, Ryan Watershoot and game changer Bradley Davis scored the goals for Elburton Villa.
In Division One Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves remain 3 points clear without playing a league game as they were on County Cup duty. This allowed Watcombe Wanderers and Ivybridge Town Reserves to move within catching distance of the unbeaten Spurs. Watcombe had a close game at Babbacombe Corries, coming away with 4 – 3 win at Armada Park, but result of the day goes to Ivybridge Town who inflicted the first defeat of the season on Paignton Saints at Erme Valley; Jamie Micklewright scored twice for Saints, but it was not enough as Joe Truelove and Owen Howard got 3 between them to prove that this division will not be a two horse race. Buckland Athletic picked up 3 valuable points at Harbertonford, and Paignton Villa moved up a few places with a 4 – 1 home win versus Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds; Billy Williams, Sam Woodcock and Charlie Thomas scored the goals for the Clarets.
Division Two is looking like a division of two halfs; Bovey Tracey Reserves had to give up top spot as they were on County Cup duty; Barton Athletic took full advantage with a 6 – 3 home win against Newton Rovers who themselves had a good start to the season, but the wheels have come off in the last 3 weeks; Paignton Saints Seconds demolished WBB seconds 9-nil to move into second spot on – guess what – goal difference. East Allington Utd Seconds also remain in the leading pack following a 2 – 1 win at home to Waldon Athletic Seconds; Daniel Bastin got both the goals for the Pirates.
In Division Three, Stoke Gabriel TP moved into second place with a fine 7 – 1 win at Waldon Athletic Thirds; Paul Christie scored 5 of the goals with Russell Cooper and Shane Pike adding to the tally for the Railwaymen. Half time game changer Dave Sanders scored 2 consolation goals for the home team. Watcombe Wanderers remain in top spot with a close 4 -3 win at Osborne Park against Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds who remain in third place jointly with Totnes and Dartington Seconds, Liverton Utd and Ashburton who came away from Liverton with a 4 – 1 victory – a few results that have kept this division very competitive where anybody can beat anybody.
Division Four may not be quite so open as the rest of the South Devon divisions; Liverton Utd Seconds are clear at the top following a 2-nil win in Plymouth at Elburton Villa Thirds; the experience of a few players in their twilight years took advantage of last season’s youth team to come away with the points. Jamie Chamberlain and Sean McArdle were on the scoresheet for Liverton. This was the first defeat for Elburton who remain in Third spot, and I am sure they will bounce back; Drake FC were on cup duty so Kingsteington Athletic Seconds, Watcombe Wanderers Thirds and Babbacombe Corries Seconds all stay within touching distance of the leaders. Corries picked up a 4 – 3 win at Paignton Villa Thirds whilst the other teams in the chasing pack had cup games.
174 goals were scored by South Devon League teams this week, so there is plenty of action to catch on the football fields of south Devon.
This week’s top games to watch are unbeaten Ilsington Villa who take on last season’s runners up Buckfastleigh Rangers at Lewthorne Cross whilst, also in the Premier Division, Newton Abbot ’66 host Beesands Rovers at Osborne Park. The two stand out games in Division One are Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds versus Watcombe Wanderers at the Recreation Ground and a game that last season would have been played in the Devon League is Buckland Athletic Seconds against Paignton Saints at Homers Heath. In Division Two, it has to be second placed Paignton Saints Seconds versus top placed Barton Athletic at Coach Road. In Division Three, game of the day should be at Chuley Road, Ashburton, where Stoke Gabriel TP will be looking to keep close to Watcombe at the top. In Division Four, Drake FC from Plymouth will be looking to return to the top of the table with a win at Paignton Villa Thirds as current top team Liverton are on cup duty.
Plenty of great football to be seen, and it won’t cost you a penny so get out in the autumn wind and support South Devon League football.