PREMIER DIVISION

WALDON Athletic have moved three points clear at the top of the South Devon Football League Premier Division, writes Alastair Muirden.

A close 2–1 win at East Allington Utd ensured that they were the ones enjoying the new facilities at Poole Lane and puts a dent in the recent progress made by the Pirates on the pitch.

Ilsington Villa are now level on points with Newton Abbot 66 who had a free Saturday, Myles Caldwell and Jamie Soper got the important goals in a 2-nil home win versus Buckfastleigh Rangers.

Newton Abbot Spurs are also in a bit of form, they move into fourth place with a close 3–2 win against bottom side Elburton Villa, Louis Gardener, Ricardo Morranzonie and Nathen Cole were the target men for Spurs.

Kingsteignton Athletic have now made it four wins from four after losing their opening four games, in an end-to-end game against Totnes and Dartington. The Rams took advantage of two penalties going towards a 5–2 win that was well deserved- goals from Kelsey Leech, Dan Rankin, Chris Barnett and a double from Luke Mannuel did the business for the home team.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, there are only two unbeaten teams after this week's results. A shock 4–1 home defeat for Bovey Tracey inflicted by Buckland Athletic leaves Phoenix and True Blues clear at the top.

Phoenix enjoyed a 5-nil win at Ivybridge Town thanks to goals from J J Honeywell, Billy Northcott, Ashley and Carl White and T Jay Marshall whilst True Blues won 5–3 at Millbay Park against Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds, who gave them a run for their money. The home team must be wishing that their sponsors north of the border could emulate some of their results.

Paignton Villa’s good run of form was brought to an end by a Windmill team still plugging away and well placed in fourth, a 6–3 win for the Plymouth-based team at South Devon College thanks to goals from Brodie Simpson, Harrison and Ethan Jones with substitute Jayden Phillips adding one to give manager Glynn a selection headache for the next game.

The long-awaited Brixham derby ended all square between Town and AFC, 3–3 was the final score that sent the crowd home happy following an entertaining affair and Town have now drawn three out of seven games and AFC notched another point towards their own target.

DIVISION TWO

Division Two leaders Barton Athletic will be glad to see the back of Watcombe Wanderers, losing to them for the second week running. This time it was by two goals to one thanks to a double from Rui De Garcia and whilst they remain top, second-placed Mount Gould, who were on county cup duty, now have 3 games in hand and the lead is only one point.

Watcombe on the other hand remain in fourth and also have games in hand. Babbacombe Corries are also well placed in third, a 2–1 home win versus Paignton Saints reserves with goals from Josh Easterbrook and James Houghton is just the tonic for Corries who were relegated last term.

Liverton Utd, who could top the division if they win their games in hand, were held to a 3–3 draw by bottom club Ipplepen Athletic, the result sees the pens remain at the bottom and Livvy in eighth place.

DIVISION THREE

The leaders in Division Three continue to forge ahead. Ashburton notched up a 5–1 home victory against Brixham Town 2nds thanks to braces from Jack Clarkson and Shaun Wingrove with a single from Sam Whiffin, keeping the Ashes on top.

That being said, Drake FC stay right on their heels with a 6-nil win at Totnes and Dartington 2nds, a brace of goals from Dane Dunne and Callum Thomas with singles from Bailey Griffiths and Ollie Sheldon keeping the Plymouth-based team chasing their second promotion since joining the Torbay Clearance Services League.

Kingsteignton Athletic reserves remain in third place but were held to a 2–2 draw by an improving Waldon Athletic reserve team who have picked up points for the second successive week and have moved away from the bottom of the table.

The other team that could challenge the top two are Stoke Gabriel TP, who enjoyed a 5-1 home win thanks to a hat trick from Adam Blackburn and a double from Daniel Beech against Paignton Saints 3rds, who remain level on points with two others at the bottom. One of those teams is South Brent, they won for the second week running, a 2–1 win versus an experienced Liverton Utd 2nd, which is no mean feat after the turmoil at the club. The win lifts them off the bottom for the first time this season.

DIVISION FOUR

In Division Four, Kingskerswell continue to dominate and after recording a 20-nil victory versus Barton Athletic 2nd, they must be wishing they made their intentions clear to the other league members at the AGM as the game could not have been enjoyable for either team. However, Teign Village remain level on points with the leaders but have played two more games and a 4–1 win at local rivals Chudleigh Athletic 2nds leaves them in third place, three points off the top.

Waldon Athletic 3rds got their second win of the season in a closely contested 2–1 win against Broadhempston Utd who have had a run of poor results following a great start to their season.

Templar Way remain well placed in fourth with a 3 – 1 win at Kingsbridge and Kellaton Utd, Mike Collins, Aaron Horne and Kyle King were on target for the visitors.

PREVIEWS

All eyes will be on Osborne Park this week as East Allington Utd take on Newton Abbot 66 in the Premier Division and with both clubs upwardly mobile, it should be a great game.

At the other end of the Premier Division, there is a massive game at Loddiswell where Beesands Rovers take on fellow strugglers Chudleigh Athletic and whilst it is too early in the season to be a relegation game, if there is a losing team, it could be a long winter for them.

There are a couple of tasty ties in Division Two with Barton Athletic taking on Liverton Utd at Paignton Community College and East Allington Utd Reserves hosting Watcombe Wanderers Reserves at Poole Lane.

In Division Three, there is a Plymouth derby game at Manadon 3G, Drake FC host Elburton Villa 3rds in a top-of-the-table fixture and in Division Four, Templar Way visit Broadhempston Utd for the first time since joining the competition.