DIVISIONS take shape as records tumble and 136 goals were scored in the SDFL this week, writes Alastair Muirden.
The high scorers were Kingsteignton Athletic 2nd XI who scored 14 goals followed closely by new boys Kingskerswell FC who managed 12, thankfully not in the same game.
PREMIER DIVISION
In the Premier Division, Newton Abbot 66 and Waldon Athletic have a clear lead at the top. 66 earned a 3-0 win at Buckfastleigh Rangers with goals from Ashley Dove and Callum Foskett putting last week’s disappointment behind them, and for the Clarets, a 3-1 home win versus a Kingsteignton Athletic team yet to register a point leaves them as the only unbeaten team in the division.
Defending champions Ilsington Villa lost 1-0 at home to an East Allington United side that have won two of their three and look to have found their mojo after narrowly avoiding the drop last year, a result which opens up the division.
At the bottom of the division, Chudleigh Athletic picked up a massive three points with goals from Aiden Brown and Mathew Cobold powering them past a Beesands Rovers team who have yet to register a point and have only scored four goals in four games since losing their talisman striker.
Elsewhere in the top division, there were 1-1 draws for Totnes & Dartington and Newton Abbot Spurs 2nd XI against Elburton Villa and Paignton Saints 1st XI respectively.
DIVISION ONE
Division One’s final 100% records disappeared in a goalless draw at Bovey Tracey where the hosts became the first team in nearly two years to prevent Pheonix from scoring in a game. It was a game that both teams could have won and Bovey’s John Agpoon will no doubt have had some sleepless nights about his three one-on-ones with the Plymouth keeper that ended up safely in the latter’s hands.
The other team in the top three are True Blues who won 5–1 at WBB with strikes from Lee Phillips, Michael Storey and William Stringer.
Just to prove that any team can beat any team in this division, Watcombe Wanderers thrashed Newton Abbot Spurs 7–1 after Spurs held True Blues to a draw just last week. A Sam Pyne hat trick plus goals from Adam Townsend, Connor Finch and Keiron Dale were more than enough for the Greens, who are going to win more games than they lose this term.
DIVISION TWO
In Division Two, a 6-2 win for Mount Gold at Liverton United paired with Barton Athletic dropping points has the Plymouth-based side two points clear at the summit. Joe Jasper scored four times against Liverton and there was also a double for Bentley Alcantara, just before he was sent for an early shower by the referee.
Watcombe 2nd XI are in third and they matched their 1st XI, beating Buckfastleigh Rangers 7-1 on home soil. A Simon Ross hat-trick and a double from Rui De Garcia secured the points for the Greens who are sure to be challenging come next May.
DIVISION THREE
Division Three is shaping up for a good competition and as suggested last week, Drake FC vs Liverton Utd did not disappoint. Drake finally got one over on their rivals from last season and yet the 4-2 scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story. As well as it being a great game of football, there were eight yellows and a red card too, keeping the referee on his toes and earning the Devon FA £151 in discipline fines.
Ashley Heyworth was the hero for Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds in a high-scoring game, scoring a double hat-trick in a 14–1 win versus Brixham Town 2nds. Mark Prowse scored just the one hat-trick and there were singles for Matt Hooper, Jason Jones, James Stafford and a double for Ashton Hogarth.
Ashburton have also had a good start to the season and that continued with a 5-nil victory at Paignton Saints 3rds- Brandon Hext, Sam Whiffin and James Martin were on target for the Ashes who are looking very good in second spot.
DIVISION FOUR
Division Four is also taking shape but there appear to be three front runners at the moment- with Templar Way having no fixture it gave the top three the chance to move ahead and all three took their chances. In fact, Kingskerswell FC took 12 chances in a top-of-the-table game, they showed Broadhempston Utd that they are most definitely back and looking to go up the divisions, the 12-nil defeat for Broads leaves them in fourth place but their positive goal difference is now a negative.
Chudleigh Athletic 2nd XI remain on top following a 3-nil win at the Theatre of Dreams or Bakers Park to most. Goals from Tom Stoppard, Daniel Martin and Oliver Williams won the points for the Clarets who also had a player sent off in the clash with Newton Rovers.
Teign Village have had a good start to the season at a new level and a 9–1 home win against Waldon Athletic 3rds will do no harm to the confidence of the footballers up in the village.
PREVIEWS
Most SDFL clubs are involved in county cup matches on October 5, which gives the south area clubs the chance to pit their wits against strangers from the north and east of our county and involves some travelling that some like and some don’t.
In the Premier Cup, Buckfastleigh Rangers travel to Elmore in Tiverton whilst Newton Spurs travel to Boca Seniors in Barnstaple.
On October 12, in the Senior Cup, where the Torbay Clearance teams have dominated for the past few seasons, Buckland Ath travel to Bideford, Newton Spurs 3rds travel to Lympstone, WBB travel to South Zeal and in the Intermediate Cup, Newton Rovers travel to Tedburn St Mary.
The local teams that have received byes have league commitments and the games to catch are as follows. In the Premier Division, WBB face their second Plymouth challenge in two weeks with the visit of Windmill and in Division One, Brixham Town face Bovey Tracey at JC Park and Watcombe Wanderers 2nds host Liverton Utd at Long Lane.
In Division Four, Teign Village are at home to Templar Way- the two met on the opening day and served up a 4 – 3 win for Templar so I am sure that Village will be giving the new boys a typical village welcome.