BUCKLAND Athletic shared the points with Street FC at Homers Heath last weekend, despite having a two-goal and one-man advantage in the early stages of the second half.

2-2 was how that one ended between a pair of high-flying teams in the Western Football League and the plot thickens, with Street beating Paulton Rovers in a mid-week affair, the side who await Buckland on Saturday, 14.

Dan Hart’s were one of the only teams in the division not to be playing during the week and so they will likely be the fresher of the two upon their return to Homers. Paulton have won five from eight though and are no slouches, with Buckland just a single point ahead of them (having played one less game).

Buckland's young goalscorer Ryan Smith celebrates
Buckland's young goalscorer Ryan Smith celebrates (IM2024)

Moving over to the South West Peninsula League and Newton Abbot Spurs collated a huge four points last week. First, they drew with league leaders Cullompton Rangers and then enjoyed a weekend win over Sidmouth Town, another title hopeful.

Marc Revell’s young Spurs side are at home once again and the visitors to The Rec this time will be twelfth-placed Bridport FC. They have won just one game thus far in 2024/25, drawing two and losing four of the other six- this victory did come against Spurs’ rivals local rivals Bovey Tracey in emphatic style though, showing just how unpredictable football can be.

Talking of Bovey and after losing by a single goal at Torridgeside AFC last weekend, the margin was just as narrow for their mid-week defeat to Teignmouth AFC. Bovey aren’t in action this weekend but Teignmouth are, travelling to Middlezoy Rovers.

Middlezoy are in 15th with just one point to their name whilst the Teigns are fifth on 13. The wider context is that Rovers have played just four games to date, half the amount as Teignmouth, but Liam Jones and co will still be confident of securing another three points.

To the South Devon Football League next and Newton Abbot 66 are sitting pretty on top of the Premier table, winning two from two and racking up 12 goals to one.

South Devon Football League Premier Division. Newton Abbot 66 versus Paignton Saints. A 9-0 win for 66
South Devon Football League Premier Division. Newton Abbot 66 versus Paignton Saints. A 9-0 win for 66 (Steve Pope/MDA)

A local clash awaits them at Osborne Park on the 14th, taking on a Kingsteignton Athletic whose only result so far this season has been a 3-1 defeat at Ilsington Villa.

Newton Spurs seconds and Buckfastleigh Rangers firsts have both won one and lost one in that same division and they will take on Paignton Saints and East Allington United respectively on Saturday. Lastly, Chudleigh Athletic will go to Windmill Hill, the Torquay-based home of Waldon Athletic.

Division One outfit Bovey Tracey 2nd XI have a MJ Evans Accountants Devon Senior Cup fixture versus The Windmill.

A second game of the season for Buckland Athletic 2nd XI sees them cross paths with new boys Plymouth Phoenix, a team that began the campaign with a 11-1 romp over Brixham.

Bovey aren’t the only team with a cup game to look forward to as Division Two duo Buckfastleigh Rangers seconds and Ipplepen Athletic seconds go on the road to Exmouth and Westexe respectively.

The top two in Division Three, Kingsteignton 2nd XI and Drake FC 1st XI, both have a +20 goal difference already with just two games in the books. The latter will host Newton ’66 whilst the former can look forward to a local head-to-head with Ashburton Association 1st XI who themselves have started well.

Finally, to Division Four, where the pick of the bunch is Teign Village’s A& S Paving Intermediate Cup visit to Awliscombe.