Battle of Fishermen Goes Brixham’s Way While Reserves Progress in Belli Cup – Local Football Round-Up
Brixham AFC enjoyed their Saturday afternoon, with both firsts and reserves delivering 3-1 victories in another afternoon where fixtures could almost be counted on the fingers.
In fact, Brixham were the only South Devon side active in the Peninsula League and, with Buckland’s match against Longwell Green Sports also falling foul of the weather, the Fishermen were the highest placed local side in action – barring Torquay United.
And Jason Couch’s side made the most of their opportunity, Reece Sommers, Dave Worthington and Jimmy Holland on target in a 3-1 home win over Appledore, only the visitors’ third defeat of the campaign. Sommers got proceedings underway with an 11th minute tap-in and Worthington doubled the advantage with 17 minutes on the clock. Three minutes after the interval, Holland sealed the points, with Keith Shapland’s side grabbing a last minute consolation through a fantastic Seth Hodorowski effort.
The win lifts Brixham above both Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot Spurs in the table, but both of their South Devon counterparts have games in hand.
It was also another virtual washout in the SDFL, but the Premier tie between South Hams sides Loddiswell Athletic and Torquay visitors Waldon Athletic went ahead despite a heavy pitch. Despite chances from both sides, no goals graced the first half, but once Waldon unlocked the door after the break, the goals flooded in for the Clarets who began to control the game and racked up a five goal advantage before the hosts managed a consolation. Waldon move up to seventh but have games in hand on all the teams above them. The Waldon chairman, Keith Aplin, praised both sides for putting on a great game and the referee Eddie Green for his performance.
The only other league game was at Paignton Community College where Paignton Villa played Buckland & Milber in a 5pm kick-off. Neither Division One side had had particularly inspiring starts to their campaigns but Buckland & Milber enjoyed their first win since November, Danny Harry with both goals in a 2-1 victory.
Brixham AFC Reserves (pictured in blue) compensated for last week’s surprise Herald Cup exit with a win in the First Round of the George Belli Cup. Jake Elms’ strike had helped hosts Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves reach half time level, but two second half goals for the Fishermen put them into the last eight.
South Brent made it through to the quarter-finals of the Lidstone Cup by default as opponents Abbotskerswell, who knocked them out at the same stage last season, failed to raise a side.
A Kevin Causley brace and a Joe Kirby penalty saw Dartmouth AFC Reserves through in the Ronald Cup as the visitors won 3-0 at rivals East Allington United Reserves.
Two Les Bishop Cup matches survived; Broadmeadow saw off Kingsbridge & Kellaton United with a comfortable 4-0 triumph, while Ashburton Reserves made it through a tighter affair as they beat Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves 4-3.
