Buckland Battle Through but its Seventh Hell for Tots (Local Football Round-Up)
Picture (c) MiraclePR
Less than 40 spectators turned out at wet and windy Oldland Common last weekend as Buckland Athletic put in a dogged performance to knock hosts Oldland Abbotonians out of the Les Phillips Cup. Both sides were light of players, with Buckland resting some first-teamer ahead of today’s high-profile FA Vase clash with Sholing, but the returning Si Revell got the visitors off to a good start with an accurate pass to Liam Moseley who opened the scoring on 13 minutes. It was his first goal in a yellow shirt following a spell with Galmpton. The second goal was a while coming, but Lloyd Gardner’s individual effort with twenty minutes remaining was almost worth the wait. Ellis Laight sealed the trip to either Bitton or Hallen with his 83rd minute strike.
Only one surviving Peninsula League match featured a South Devon club, but it was a horror show for a Totnes & Dartington on the wrong side of a 7-0 goalfest at Axminster Town. Axminster, who are already on the second half of their league season, were clearly eager to set the record straight after their last league match ended with a heavy defeat against Teignmouth. Tots actually started the brighter, but were two down within the first 20 minutes: Ben Turner headed into the deck and over Danny Wood for the opener, and Jonny Hurford made the most of a second bite of the cherry when he tapped a cross past the visiting ‘keeper moments after forcing him into a fine save. On the 25th minute, the industrious Luke Finn picked out Liam Cleal for number three as the Tigers ripped into their opponents. Finns almost made it four himself before Tots went into self-destruct mode with one of their own defenders the next to beat Wood with a header following a home free-kick. It was 5-0 at the break as Axminster broke away from a desperate Tots attack for Tony Pinder to lob Brown from 30 yards out. Myles Chalcraft tested home custodian Scott Wells-Burr from long-range as Tots sought to salvage something, but instead it was Turner who notched his second, heading home from a corner for goal number six. Pinder had the last word of a miserable afternoon for Tots with a tap in following a rebound.
The SDFL Premier League managed to get a fair few games played: After knocking Loddiswell Athletic out of the Premier Cup 8-1 in a midweek tie, defending champs Buckland Athletic Reserves made an even better job of their fixture in the league, hitting Lodds for nine without reply at Homers Heath. The Yellows now sit a point behind leaders Watcombe Wanderers who were knocked out of the Premier Cup 2-0 by Peninsula side Newton Abbot Spurs; Jake Chisholm capitalised on the loose ball when Scott Corderoy blocked a first half Adam Dyson effort, with Dyson just about keeping his feet to find the net after the break. Dartmouth maintained their grip on third spot with a 3-1 home victory over Stoke Gabriel Reserves. Charlie Smith opened the scoring for Darts with a Karl Baker strike and a Josh Webber free-kick wrapping up the points. Brixham AFC and Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves ensured their respective unbeaten runs continued, sharing four goals at Wall Park in terrible conditions. Brixham scored first through Jay Morgan, mid-way through the first half, but Spurs equalised mid-way through the second half with Oliver Kennedy on target. Kennedy’s second goal, 15 minutes from time, was cancelled out in the 87th minute as Morgan netted his second. The home side proclaimed the draw a fair result and praised referee Nick Oxley for his performance. Game-starved Waldon Athletic picked up a first league win since September, outscoring Ivybridge Town Reserves 3-2 at Erme Valley Park. Goals from Jon Davis and Ben Robey ensured East Allington United turned the tables on a Kingsteignton Athletic side who beat them comfortably at Broadpark just two weeks ago.
Chudleigh Athletic move second and now top the goals chart in Division One after hitting six past Buckland & Milber who have conceded more goals than any other team in the top two divisions.
In Division Two, a 6-2 triumph for Watcombe Wanderers Reserves, playing at home to Teignmouth Reserves, keeps the Greens three points clear at the top. Roselands kept up the pressure with an eight goal haul at still winless Paignton Saints. Saints started the match very well with goals from Luke Johnson and Matt Reed, the latter a brilliant individual strike, putting them 2-1 up and in the driving seat. But a Roselands revival and an error-strewn second half for the hosts meant more disappointment. Harbertonford hammered Kingsteignton Athletic 7-1 away to close within a point of Buckfastleigh Rangers and complete a breakaway top four. Elsewhere, Brixham Town and Hookhills United fought out a 2-2 draw in blustery conditions at Furzeham Green, while goals from Jordan Ewing and Ben Sims couldn’t prevent Newton United from suffering a 3-2 defeat at Waldon Athletic Reserves who move above them.
There were two matches played in Division Three: leaders Liverton United extended their lead, and their 100 per cent record, with a 4-1 win at winless Dittisham United. Tom Sercombe sank a double with Nik Garrett and Max McGregor also finding the net for the Lillies. Torbay Police secured their first win since opening day with a comfortable 6-1 result at Upton Athletic Reserves who are yet to enjoy victory.
In Division Four, Roselands Reserves overcame Newton Rovers 3-1 to move up to second spot, Broadmeadow are unbeaten in three after beating Kingsbridge & Kellaton United 2-0 and Dan Garswood won Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves their first home point, scoring the hosts’ goal in a 1-1 draw with Torquay Town. Karl Dooley found the net for Town.
There was only one game in Division Five but it served up 14 goals. Barton Athletic Reserves made it three wins in a row with a 9-5 win over Paignton Saints Reserves, Barton capitalising on some first half mistakes from Saints to take the first half, but Saints doing well after the interval and winning the second half contest. Thomas scored a hat-trick for Athletic, with Kniveton and Young contributing braces and Dyke and Dean-Gray weighing in with singles. Aaron Underhill managed a double for Saints while Luke Pocknell, Mike Drake and Shaun Hurst scored one apiece.
