PREMIER DIVISION

WALDON Athletic remain three points clear of their next opponents Newton Abbot 66 after a 2-nil win over an improving Paignton Saints, Sean Finch scoring a double for the Clarets, writes Alastair Muirden.

Buckfastleigh Rangers are beginning to have a big say in any potential Premier Division honours, beating Newton Abbot Spurs 3-1 at The Rec this weekend to inflict only a second loss of the season for them.

Kingsteignton Athletic continued to be upwardly mobile and picked up their fifth win on the bounce, a 5–1 win at Elburton with a hat trick from the returning Tom Reeves and singles from Dan Rankin and Mark Voisey moving the Rams up to fifth place.

Down at the bottom, Beesands Rovers and Chudleigh Athletic shared the points in an entertaining affair, whilst managers Malcom and John will probably be happy to come away from this clash with a point, both teams need to find a win from somewhere to ease the pressure, Henry Buckpitt got both goals for the visitors and Adam Winkworth & Jake Aubert for Rovers.

The final game in the Premier Division saw Newton Abbot 66 hold on to second place, a solid 4–2 win over East Allington Utd thanks to strikes from Billy Snell, Daniel Martin, Liam Ashwell and Joe Clark Farley sets them up nicely for a 6-pointer next week against Waldon Athletic.

DIVISION ONE

As a result of a round of senior county cup games, Division One was reduced to just the one fixture. Paignton Villa continue to improve and a 2-nil win over local rivals Brixham Town has elevated them into fourth place. Brixham, who had a promising start to the campaign, need to get a win under their belts to get back on track and away from the wrong end of the table.

DIVISION TWO

Division Two continues to surprise, Mount Gould returning to the top with a last kick of the game equaliser from Saddam Bello against Paignton Saints 2nd XI.

It is fair to say the wheels seem to have come off at Barton Athletic who suffered another setback, this time at the hands of Liverton Utd. A 5 – 1 home loss was their third defeat in 3 weeks and drops them to second in the table, having played 3 games more than most.

At the bottom of the table, Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds picked up a valuable three points versus Ipplepen Athletic reserves, a 2-nil home win gives Rangers a bit of breathing space and leaves the Pens rooted to the bottom with lots of work to do.

DIVISION THREE

With just three games in Division Three due to county cups, Drake FC and Elburton Villa had to share the points in a top versus third game. Callum Thomas and Christian George were on target for Drake who have handed the baton back to Ashburton who had a free week.

Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves also benefited from this draw- they remain in fourth place, five points behind with a game in hand.

DIVISION FOUR

In Division Four, Kingskerswell and Teign Village move further ahead at the top.

Kerswell had a more respectable 4–1 win versus Paignton Villa 3rds and Teign Village had an entertaining 8–4 win over Barton Athletic reserves, who slip to bottom spot, not helped by Kingsbridge and Kellaton Utd winning by five goals to three at Waldon Athletic 3rds to move up a place.

This puts them within touching distance of Newton Rovers, Waldon Athletic and a Broadhempston team who lost 5–2 against Templar Way and need to rediscover their September form sooner rather than later. Matt Caroll and Ben Walton were on target for Broads but a hat trick from Alfie Moffatt and a double from Michael Collins won the points for Templar who move back into fourth, seven points ahead of fifth-placed Paignton Villa 3rds.

PREVIEWS

It is all about cup football this Saturday with the opening rounds of the Herald Cup, which is the jewel of the South Devon League, and the Fred Hewings Cup, which is the knockout competition for reserve teams only.

In the Herald Cup, there is an interesting fixture at JC Park where Brixham Town of Division One take on the Premier Division champions Ilsington Villa, in a potential banana skin for the visitors and a chance for the home team to prove their Premier Division capabilities.

The stand out game in the Fred Hewings Cup first round is an all-Division Three top of the table local derby at Kingsteignton where the 2nd team clash with reserves from Chudleigh Athletic in what should be a great game.

Whilst there are 14 first round cup games to choose from, the game of the day has to be at Osbourne Park in Newton Abbot where the top two in the Premier Division meet for the first time this season, when 66 lock horns with Waldon Athletic in what should be a close game.

Cup games start at 2pm and league games at 2.30pm.