Away Wins for SDFL Top Two: Local Football Round-Up Part 2/2
All pictures (c) MiraclePR.com. Please do not copy without permission
The top two remain unbeaten in the Premier Division with away wins for leaders Watcombe Wanderers and highly fancied Dartmouth AFC. A double from Curtis Booth and single from Ashley Dewdney saw Watcombe overcome Kingsteignton Athletic at Broadpark, while Karl Baker scored half of Darts’ ten away at Stoke Gabriel Reserves; Josh Webber also managed a hat-trick with Rushe and Charlie Smith also scoring. East Allington United marksman Simon Hannaford struck twice to help the Pirates beat rivals Loddiswell Athletic and move up to fourth in the table. Ben White also scored in a 3-0 away win. Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves co-manager Matt Barrett will have double reason to celebrate his birthday as his side returned from Ivybridge Town Reserves with a 3-1 win, while Kingskerswell & Chelston upset the form book with a 3-2 victory over Brixham AFC Reserves.
A home walkover against Totnes & Dartington Reserves keeps Buckland Athletic Thirds at the summit of Division One, but Chudleigh Athletic’s 3-2 win over Ipplepen Athletic keeps them a point behind. Bovey Tracey Reserves enjoyed back-to-back wins; a hat-trick from Livingstone and a Salmons strike adding up to a 4-0 win over a scratch Stoke Gabriel Thirds side. Beesands Rovers continued to creep up the table, Lee Morgan with another two goals in a 5-2 victory over Paignton Villa; Dave Lang, Finley Bullen and Danny Tucker completed the score-sheet. Dan Steer’s hat-trick helped Buckland & Milber to a convincing 5-1 win at bottom side Kingskerswell & Chelston Reserves. Robbie Chapman and Rhys Goacher scored the other two.
Roselands continue to stretch ahead at the top of Division Two, Max Prestwood and Allsworth with the goals that ensured a 2-1 win over second placed Buckfastleigh Rangers. Yet another high-scoring clash between Abbotskerswell and Teignmouth Reserves saw Teigns emerge with a 6-4 win. Brixham Town beat Harbertonford 2-1 to move level on points with their opponents while Newton United bounced back from last week’s heavy defeat with a narrow 3-2 win at bottom side South Brent. Gareth Harris scored twice with Dave Crowhurst also scoring for United. After achieving their first win last week, Paignton Saints quickly made it two, and seven points from nine since Christmas, with a very good defensive display against local rivals Hookhills United. Hookhills enjoyed the bulk of possession but couldn’t break Saints down. Eventually, with eight minutes left, ‘supersub’ Mike Howes converted a Nyron Connor cross to steal all three points for Saints. Still, United almost equalised, with the last kick of the game, but Sam Holmes in the Saints goal threw himself in front of the striker to deny him. Elsewhere, goals from Ian Cornock and Matthew Battishill, plus an own goal, meant that Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves returmed from Michael’s Field with a 3-2 win over Bishopsteignton United.
With leaders Liverton in cup action, Salcombe Town stormed to the top of Division Three by battering Teign Village 7-0. Dartmouth AFC Reserves moved two points behind Liverton with a comfortable 4-0 triumph over neighbours East Allington United. Nick Rushe scored twice for Darts with Kevin Causley and Cameron Webb also finding the net. Upton Athletic Reserves were well beaten 7-1 by Torbay Police while Chudleigh Athletic Reserves edged Ipplepen Athletic Reserves 2-1.
A 2-0 win over Meadowbrook Athletic moved Broadmeadow up to second spot in Division Four. Ashburton Reserves swept Kingsbridge & Kellaton United away 6-1 and there were wins for Newton United and Roselands Reserves.
Prolific Division Five leaders Moretonhampstead showed that they can do tight, low-scoring wins too. A solitary goal away at Stoke Fleming & Strete was enough to keep them a point ahead of Riviera United Reserves who enjoyed a 3-0 victory away at Newton Rovers Reserves. Buckland & Milber Reserves closed the gap on Broadhempston United Reserves to one point, with a game in hand, as they beat their promotion rivals 4-0 at Long Lane; Cory Brennan secured a hat-trick with Danny Harry also on the score-sheet. Torbay Police Reserves beat Barton Athletic Reserves 2-0.
Ashburton cruised into the last eight of the Dartmouth Cup with a 6-1 victory over Babbacombe Corinthians. Clifford grabbed himself a hat-trick, Chorley a brace and Moore a single while Lloyd Heavens scored Corries’ consolation. They will be joined by Newton Abbot ’66 who defeated Foxhole United 4-1.
Late drama at Windmill Hill saw a penalty saved and a dramatic winning volley. (c)MiraclePR
Goalkeeper Ben Archer was almost the hero for Waldon Athletic Reserves in an exciting Lidstone Cup tie between the Clarets and their Torquay rivals Watcombe Wanderers Reserves. After an excellent, fast-paced contest, the tie was heading for extra-time when Watcombe were awarded a late penalty. Archer dived to the left to parry Cieran Bridger’s late penalty away but, just seconds later, Shane Ross fired home a match-winning volley to put the Greens through 1-0.
“I guessed the right way (with the penalty) but absolutely gutted with the last shot they had and just couldn’t keep it out,” said Archer.
Gary Byrne took his high-performing Liverton United Reserves to Windmill Hill to take on Waldon Athletic Thirds (main picture). A single Nick Garrett goal was enough for the Lillies to book their place in the Ronald Cup quarter-finals, but Byrne was just as happy to get some football played. “It’s another game out of the way and a pleasure to be involved,” he said. They will be joined by AFC Staverton, who won 2-0 at Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves, and Harbertonford Reserves, who scored twice in extra-time to make it past Dittisham United 3-1.
Barton Athletic eased past Ilsington Villa 3-0 in the Les Bishop Cup. Elsewhere, Riviera United and Torquay Town drew 2-2 with Town winning 5-4 on penalties.
Newton United Reserves strolled into the quarter-finals of the Bill Treeby Cup, beating Malborough United 5-0, Mills claiming four of them and Guttridge with the remainder. Extra-time goals from Kenny Taylor and Corey Hancock saw WBB AFC also celebrating a last eight berth at the expense of Paignton Saints Reserves.
