EVENTFUL: There was plenty of action at South Devon Sports Centre as Plympton Athletic enjoyed a 6-3 victory against Paignton Villa. ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR
Averaging five goals a game and yet to concede a goal, Watts Blake Bearne have made a fantastic start to the season in the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division.
Paignton Saints Reserves were the latest team to take on Bradley Killerby’s side, but home advantage was not enough to prevent WBB from taking the three points. Nathan Harvey scored twice for the Claymen in a 6-0 victory, and he was joined on the score-sheet by Cam Gill, Billy Clinch, Ben Drinkwater and Benjamin Lewis Berrow.
Last season’s champions Buckfastleigh Rangers have already tasted defeat against the leaders but have been in winning form ever since. They racked up their third away win on the bounce, beating Brixham AFC Reserves 5-1 at Wall Park. Kian Berry added another two goals to his tally with Rangers’ other goals coming from Luke Brown, Tom Moody and Steve Sutton.
Kingsteignton Athletic dropped their first points of the season, drawing 2-2 away at Chudleigh Athletic, the team they beat in both the Dartmouth and Devon Senior Cup finals. Joseph Long and Christian Williams found the back of the net for the hosts, with Mark Voisey and Ashley Dove responding for the Rams.
Scott Allen, Lewis Guest and Harry Addis celebrated goals as Elburton Villa Reserves scored their first win of the season by beating Newton Abbot ’66 3-0 at Haye Road. Ivybridge Town Reserves also tasted victory for the first time. They made up for their earlier loss at Windmill Hill by beating Waldon Athletic 5-2 at Erme Park. Joe Truelove scored a brace for the Ivies with Daniel Ahearn, Sam Marker and Henry Tank also netting.
In Division One, league newcomers Morley Rangers are still unbeaten at the top following a 3-3 draw at Upton Athletic. Corbin Mackin scored his fourth goal in as many games with Dean Badger and Dalton Brammer also on target. Alex Stevenson scored two of Upton’s goals, sub Rui de Garces with the other. Torquay Town were unable to capitalise on the dropped points as they were held to a goalless draw at Babbacombe Corinthians. Town are yet to concede a goal though.
An eventful game at South Devon Sports Centre saw Plympton Athletic end Paignton Villa’s unbeaten start to the campaign while extending their own. In a half of few chances, Plympton drew first blood on ten minutes, Grant Craven bursting through on the left and rifling home. Seven minutes from half time, Plympton ‘keeper Percy Daniel was unable to hold on to a Villa free-kick, enabling Jake Price to fire home the rebound. The sides were level for just two minutes though, Craven putting the visitors back in front when he took the ball past a stranded Jo Moroney and guided it into the empty net.
Plympton just about deserved their half time advantage, but Villa responded positively, piling on the pressure from the restart and earning a 52nd minute equaliser, Sam Woodcock heading home a corner. After good chances at both ends, Plympton’s Callum Thomas was sin binned. With a man advantage, Villa struck again just after the hour mark, Tom Mayer scoring from close range. Plympton responded instantly, Moroney parrying a Jack Clarke cross into the path of Carlo Marino who made no mistake. Seven minutes later, Jay Jones latched on to a hopeful long ball from Tyler Pickering before scoring a wonderful solo goal for 4-3. The game was interrupted by a couple of minutes of ill discipline, which saw Haydn Cook sent off for Villa and several yellow cards dished out. Following the restart, Villa were denied a late equaliser when Daniel superbly saved a free-kick. Plympton then put the game to bed in stoppage time with two goals from their young substitutes, giving them a slightly flattering 6-3 victory.
Elsewhere, Jack Dixon scored twice for Ilsington Villa in a 4-1 home win over Harbertonford who ended the game with nine men. Dan Langford scored his sixth goal of the season and Matt Warman also notched for Villa, Dave Hatch with the Fords’ strike.
Ash Yeoman also claimed a double as Beesands Rovers won by the same scoreline at Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves. Jamie Williams and Jamie Watts also celebrated goals for the Bees; Jay Barnard scored Rangers’ consolation.
In Division Two, Aiden Blackie’s hat-trick helped leaders Newton Abbot Spurs Third to an emphatic 9-1 triumph away at Dartmouth AFC Reserves. Totnes, Dartington and Meadowbrook were also in goal-scoring mood as they put away eight without reply at Paignton Villa Reserves.
In Division Three, Bovey Tracey Reserves won 3-1 at Barton Athletic Reserves to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season. Totnes, Dartington and Meadowbrook Reserves are also yet to drop a point. They lead Division Four after beating Paignton Villa Thirds 2-0.