Away Wins for Premier Top Three
The Premier Division is looking like a three-horse race to the finish. Brixham AFC gathered another four points towards their promotion cause with a midweek draw at Ivybridge Town Reserves followed by yesterday’s 2-0 victory at a Stoke Gabriel Reserves side whose last home defeat was back in October. Buckland Athletic Reserves conceded their first goal since January but racked up their sixth successive win, 2-1 at Watts, Blake & Bearne; Gareth Davis and Lee Pike were once more the Yellows’ marksmen. And Watcombe Wanderers hit double figures for the third time this season, hammering bottom side Ipplepen Athletic 10-0, goals pouring in from Mike Fieldhouse (2), Lewis Woodmore (2), Stephen Woodcock, Sean Finch, Danny Harvey, Pete Summerfield (pictured), Wayne Bergin and new recruit Connor Finch. The Greens stay third, after hearing their mid-week 8-0 thumping of Kingsteignton was void and would have to be replayed. The referee had cut short the match due to poor light leading to unequal halves, forbidden in league rules. Their other midweek clash, with Buckland, was postponed.
But there’s still an outside bet that prolific Upton Athletic could make a late bid for the top. Upton have won eight of the eleven games they have played, including Saturday’s comfortable 5-1 win at Kingsteignton Athletic, and are free of the cup distractions of their title rivals; Dewdney (2), Hare, Walker and Chamberlain struck for Upton. Ivybridge Town Reserves returned from the Rec with all three points, Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves suffering a third defeat on the bounce despite Matt Williams’ strike.
In Division One, Dartmouth AFC narrowed the gap on leaders Bovey Tracey Reserves with a 2-0 triumph at Buckland Athletic Thirds, the score-sheet bearing the familiar names of Dan Broadway and Karl Baker. The leaders crashed 5-1 at a Kingskerswell & Chelston Reserves side claiming their first win in four. Newton Abbot 66 made a quick return to form, taking all three points from a visit to Totnes & Dartington Reserves. East Allington United secured consecutive home wins and clean sheets, scoring four without reply at home to Brixham AFC Reserves; Si Hannaford bagged another two, with the recently returned Andy Davis and recently arrived Tom Rowden making up the balance. Relegation contenders Abbotskerswell and Teignmouth Reserves both lost: Abbots were turned over 7-0 at Chudleigh, while Teigns lost out 2-1 at Broadhempston, Ben Drinkwater and Sam Chorley scoring as Broads avenged their Dartmouth Cup defeat.
In Division Two, leaders Babbacombe Corinthians hit a snag on the road with a 3-1 reverse at Upton Athletic Reserves; Moon hit the net for Corries. With Paignton Villa not playing, Beesands Rovers moved up to second, six players scoring in a resounding home win over promotion rivals Newton United; Ben and Tim Bromfield, Dave Lang, Alex Hayward, Alex Browne and Lee Morgan did the damage for the Bees. Boiston and Beeschen helped keep Stoke Gabriel Thirds at the head of the chasing pack, the Railwaymen winning 2-0 at Harbertonford. Three wins in the last four keep Foxhole in with a shout of a top half finish; they had the better of a nine-goal thriller at Hookhills and moved above their hosts. Paignton Saints collected a point at Brixham Town as they bid to avoid the drop; Max Corderoy hit a double, with Ole Corderoy also scoring.
Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves are into the Lidstone Cup final after a 1-0 win at home to Brixham AFC Third.
Buckland & Milber look like they might need their games in hand to secure promotion, after back-to-back away defeats. Josh Moore and Roland Blowers hit the target at Loddiswell Athletic Reserves but slip to third after the Hoops scored four. Ashburton were held at home by Watts, Blake & Bearne Reserves, Waldon Athletic Reserves making the most of the chance to close the gap with a thumping 10-0 win against Bishopsteignton United. South Brent’s game against struggling East Allington Reserves was postponed, and Liverton United Reserves need a miracle to stay up after a narrow 4-3 loss at Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds.
Roselands and Watcombe Wanderers Reserves are set to be locked in a battle for supremacy in Division Four, with both eyeing the double. League leaders and SDFL top scorers Roselands won 4-0 at a Dartmouth AFC Reserves side who had beaten Dittisham United 2-1 in midweek. Second-place Watcombe, yet to drop a point, also beat South Hams opponents, winning 4-1 at home to Salcombe Town; the irrepressible Simon Ross hit a double with Sevvy Reilly and Jordan Finch scoring singles; Ollie Stallard netted for Town. The relegation six-pointer between Paignton Saints Reserves and Meadowbrook Athletic was called off, while Bovey Thirds are still in danger after crashing 5-0 at home to Harbertonford Reserves, the visitors with their third win on the bounce.Paignton Villa conceded their 100th goal of the season but ran out 2-1 winners at Dittisham, Danny Rogers and Liam Northcott with the goals.
The top three all won in Division Five; leaders AFC Staverton again came back from one down to win 2-1 at Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves; Jon Parsons was on the mark again, with Dave Rowntree also scoring; Briscomb put away Corries’ effort. Anthony Smith was once more the hero for third-place Newton Rovers with the only goal of the game against Roselands Reserves at Bakers Park. Second-place Preston South End enjoyed a 4-1 victory at Buckland & Milber, while fellow Bill Treeby Cup finalists Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves kept their hot form going, winning 3-2 at Polonia Torbay; Jack Kelly (2) and in-form Ryan Porter scored Rangers’ goals. Broadhempston United Reserves breathed life into their survival bid with a first win since November, 2-1 at Torbay Police. But Broads stay bottom as Newton United Reserves also won, 2-1 at home to Riviera United. Moretonhampstead’s winning run, if not their scoring form, came to an end at home to Newton 66 Reserves. Despite braces by Rui de Garces and Darren Siwies, the home side were outscored 5-4.
Kingsbridge & Kellaton will be playing for the first of the SDFL cups next Friday, and consolidated their third-place position in the league with a good 4-0 home win over Malborough United. Second-place Barton Athletic will be looking nervously over their shoulders. Jody Rooney added another two to his Barton tally, but Ashburton Reserves have been a different team since March, and put away another nine to make it 22 goals from their last three. Leaders Watcombe Wanderers Thirds won 2-1 at Teign Village Reserves, Kirk Finch and Toby Woodmore found the net, while Carl Huntelaar missed a penalty. Torre’s match with Stoke Fleming & Strete was called off.
Matches to Catch
- Wed 9th April.Herald Cup Semi-Final: Dartmouth v Watcombe (Homers Heath, 7.30pm)
- Fri 11th April.Ivor Andrews Cup Final: Kingsbridge & Kellaton v Watcombe Thirds (Longcross, 7.00pm)
- Sun 13th April.Bill Treeby Cup Final: Buckfastleigh Reserves v Preston SE
