WITH the South Devon League reduced to just eleven fixtures due to the county FA spreading their cup competitions over a three-week period, there were a few teams without fixtures and those with a bye in the cups had a chance to pick up league points, writes Alastair Muirden.

Premier Division

The Premier Division had five games as their county cup fixtures were played last week, and they did not disappoint. Newton Abbot 66 have moved three points clear at the top of a division that is starting to look like a very open competition- six teams are in the mix as we head towards a third of the season played.

A 2-nil win against Totnes and Dartington thanks to goals from Joe Clarke Farley and Tom Barrett sealed the win for the league leaders, the result leaves the Tots well placed in fourth on their return to the premier division.

The result which provided the cushion for 66 was at Buckfastleigh Rangers, where the home team struck four times against a Waldon Athletic team yet to drop any points this term. The last 100% record in the top division has been blown away!

A first-half strike from Luke Brown and an incredible second-half hat trick from stand-in striker Matt Maller secured the points for Rangers who continue to blow hot and cold but are well-placed and are a very difficult team to beat.

Interestingly, Matt Maller was only playing up front as top striker Corbin Mackin was away in Croatia taking part in an Ironman competition, I wonder if Sean Hawkins will play him next week or stick with the stand-in striker. Waldon remain in 2nd place, three points behind 66 with a game in hand.

Ilsington Villa have moved predictably into third place with a hard fought 5–2 win at Chudleigh Athletic. Henry Buckpitt and Thomas Corbin were on target for the Clarets but there were goals for the usual suspects in Dan and Jack Langford too. Also on the score sheet were Jaimie Soper and Jack Dixon, who secured the points for the Moorlanders who are six points off of the lead with two games in hand.

There were two big games at the bottom of the Torbay Clearance Premier division. Finally Kingsteignton Athletic picked up their first points of the season with a fine 3-nil home win versus Paignton Saints to move off the bottom. Goals from Nick Garrick, Kelsy Leach and Tom Reeves were gratefully accepted by the home supporters who must have been wondering how long the drought would last.

The other massive three points went the way of Beesands Rovers, also with their first league win of the term and they had to dig in to get over the line against Elburton Villa who now hold the wooden spoon place. The game finished 3–2 to the home side after they took a 3-nil lead thanks to goals from Louis Brace and a double from Alex Smith, adding a bit more confidence to the team following a county cup victory last week.

Division One

There was MJ Evans Accountants Devon Senior Cup action for the Division One sides and there were plenty of goals scored.

Buckland Athletic 2nd struck seven unanswered goals away at Bideford 2nds, Bovey Tracey 2nd XI beat Elmore 2nds 6-3 at home having been tied at 3-3 at the break.

Also, Spurs 3rd edged out Lympstone 3-2 away from home and Watts Blake Bearne 1st had a ridiculous scoreline, beating South Zeal United 10-5. Ryan Clarke, Cameron Louis Gill and Samuel Stowell all took home match-balls plus Cameron Hooper netted once.

There were also hat-tricks for Will Hughes in the Buckland win and for Alastair Chuchuk in Bovey’s thriller.

Finally in this cup, there was a tie between Dawlish United and Liverton United at the home of the former. A penalty shootout was required to separate the pair after a 2-2 game of football and it wad Dawlish who came out on top, winning 4-3 to advance.

Division Two

There are new leaders in Division Two. Barton Athletic have moved ahead of Mount Gould thanks to a 6–2 win against bottom team Ipplepen Athletic. Zach Norton, Liam Walton, James Thomas and Liam Northcott scored the goals for Barton whilst the result leaves Pens pointless at the bottom with Newton Rovers, who were on county cup duty.

Armada Park was the location of the only other game at that level, where Upton Athletic moved into fourth place with a 2-1 win against Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds. How nice it is to see Upton Athletic enjoying football again after a few seasons of struggle.

Division Three

In the only fixture played in Division Three, Elburton Villa 3rds moved into fourth place with a 3–1 win against Waldon Athletic 2nds. In this division, only three points separate the top five and 4 points separate the bottom five.

Division Four

Only two league games were played in Division Four and Teign Village are now joint top with Chudleigh Athletic 2nds following a 2-nil win at Barton Athletic 2nds. Templar Way got back to winning ways with a 5-nil victory at Waldon Athletic 3rds, braces from George Minty and Arron Horne and a single from Chris Bennett were enough for the new boys to move into a respectable fourth place and remain a difficult team to beat.

Previews

Looking ahead now at the games to catch and there is a first versus fourth clash in the Premier Division at Osbourne Park, where Newton Abbot 66 play Totnes and Dartington. Tots have enjoyed a good start to their journey in the top flight and this game will test them.

Another big test for a newly promoted team will be at Ilsington Villa where Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds are the visitors and are capable of beating any team on their day.

In Division One, Paignton Villa face Plymouth opposition for the third time in 3 weeks with a trip to the favourites Plymouth Pheonix at Devonport High School for Boys. There are no easy games in this division and Bovey Tracey 2nds will be looking to take maximum points from Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds to remain as promotion candidates for the third season.

The big game in Division Two is at Harbertonford, where Barton Athletic are the visitors. A win for the South Hams-based team will reduce the gap to three points with a game in hand.

It is second versus third in Division Three as Ashburton host free-scoring Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds at Chuley Road in what should be a great game.

In Division Four, Michaels Field, Bishopsteignton is the place to be as Templar Way attempt to stop Chudleigh Athletic 2nds running away at the top of the division.