Buckland Stunned by Larkhall Comeback , Stoke Salvage a Point and Teigns Take Four
Ten minutes into their much anticipated FA Cup Preliminary Round tie at Larkhall Athletic, and the uneducated spectator would have been forgiven for thinking that it was BUCKLAND ATHLETIC who were the Southern League outfit, as the Yellows surged into a two goal lead courtesy of hit-man Gavin Hammon. In fact, the damage could have been even worse if a goal between Hammon’s strikes had not been ruled offside. The most dangerous threat to Gary Fisher’s goal in the first half had come from Fisher himself as he almost embarrassed himself with a freak own goal, although Ollie Price had a decent chance to halve the deficit. Buckland pressed for a third before the break, but could only find the side netting through Dan Griffiths.
Bath side Larkhall knew they needed an early goal to get back into the running, and Brad Norris supplied it, beating the Bucks’ defence from some 25 yards out. Then substitute Dean Griffiths crossed for Price to tap in an equaliser to complete the Larks’ comeback. Another inspired substitute from the home side saw the nippy Matt Morris add to the pressure on an increasingly shaky looking Buckland defence. Chances came and went for both sides before Buckland’s substitute ‘keeper Tom Buckler spilled a shot into the path of Price, who fired the home side into the league for the first – and final – time in the match. The width of the post denied Buckland the chance of a replay at Homers Heath, and the Yellows returned to Devon wondering what might have been with one of two fellow Western League clubs (Bridport and Sherborne Town) awaiting the Larks in September’s First Qualifying Round.
Buckland return to league action next Saturday with another away trip – to Bradford Town.
STOKE GABRIEL supporters are getting used to games with narrow margins this season, and last Saturday’s was no exception. Dan Kingscote, who was in the right place at the right time to meet Ryan O’Callaghan’s header, won the Railwaymen a point with a 10th minute goal after Sam Davey had put visitors Launceston one up three minutes earlier, much to the home fans’ annoyance as they called for offside. Kingscote’s first goal for Stoke was almost followed by a second before the break as he hit the crossbar, and he also came close in the second half, putting Dave Worthington’s free-kick just past the post. Gareth McEwen also came close with a shot from distance, although Davey could have edged the visitors ahead but fired narrowly over. Launceston then had their own gripe with the officials after goalkeeper Nathan Murphy appeared to bring down their striker late in the match, but the appeals fell on deaf ears and the honours were shared. It was only a second point for Tim Porter’s men, but a good one against a high-flying Cornish side that now sits level top on points.
But on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon there was more disappointment for Stoke as last season’s Division One East champs Tavistock left Broadley Lane with all three points. Ollie Aplin found the net for the home side, but the Lambs struck four times to move into the top six.
Stoke’s next test is another home tie, at home to Helston Athletic on Saturday.
Skipper Scott Baxter won TEIGNMOUTH a valuable three points at home to Alphington, heading home Lance Clarke’s cross near the end of the first half , to help Geoff Breslan’s side recover from last week’s defeat to leaders St Martins. Goalkeeper Adam Broome also played his part, saving Kyle Howell’s second-half spot-kick. Matt Eves had hit the bar before Baxter’s goal and Sam Chapman nearly doubled the scoreline in the last minute, but Alphington also had a goal ruled out for offside. Two day’s later and Breslan made the score-sheet himself, along with Hayden Roe and Scott Telford as Teigns earned a deserved draw at home to a rapidly improving Exeter University.
The other South Devon sides endured an afternoon to forget on Saturday though. It was all going so well for GALMPTON UNITED at the War Memorial Ground until ten minutes to go; young midfielder George Dandridge had cancelled out Dean Bingsley’s opener for St Martin’s and then put the Greens in front. But Danny Pym’s 80th minute penalty restored parity and then Lee Parker’s late winner ensured the visitors maintained their 10o per cent record into September.
Jason Couch had warned his BRIXHAM AFC side that Appledore would be more unforgiving hosts than Axminster, and he was right. The Fishermen fell behind twice at Marshford, but Scott Dodgson and Dan Rankin hauled them level. But two further goals saw last year’s runners-up take the three points and Joe Baker claim the match ball.
NEWTON ABBOT SPURS have now dropped into the bottom half of the table, Will Hancox’s debut goal the bright point in an otherwise dismal trip to Sidmouth Town. Town substitute Mark Pavey, replacing the injured Jake Boyland, opened the scoring midway through the first half and then curled a second past Scott Bellamy to double the hosts advantage at the break. On came Hancox after the break and, after Town failed to deal with Shaun Bowden’s cross, was on hand to pull a goal back from ten yards with 11 minutes on the clock. And Hancox almost got an equaliser, but home ‘keeper Alex Bowring came out tops in a one-to-one and set up a counter-attack. Pavey once again proved his quality, providing the assist to Ashley Small who beat Bellamy for the Vikings’ third goal. The other Hancox, Sam, hit the post for Spurs, but it was the hosts who scored again, Cameron Vere with their fourth.
Crediton enjoyed a narrow 3-2 victory at home to Totnes & Dartington as the South Devon casualties kept coming. Myles Chalcraft almost put Tots ahead one minute in, but after that shot was saved, the visitors succumbed to an 8th minute Kenny Ord strike. Chalcraft again came close before Simon Durrant’s 20-yard free-kick found the back of the net for Crediton. Chalcraft did get his reward before half-time though, converting a cut-back from close range after a defensive slip from the home side. After chances for both sides, Daryl Pidgeon’s cross was expertly turned in by Richard Blake, on the hour mark, to restore the cushion. Tots were not done yet, and Charlie Johansen’s goal on 80 minutes set up a frantic finish, but Crediton held on for the points.
Tamitayo Fam endured a nightmare debut as he was sent off after 20 minutes at the University of Exeter to leave BOVEY TRACEY RESERVES facing an uphill struggle. The Moorlanders lost out 3-1 at the end, with their consolation scored by Jamie Orchard. They fared much better at home two days later though, although not before going one down to Exwick Villa through Jordan Harris. But after the break, substitute Orchard headed an equaliser to start the turnaround. Midfielder Dan Taylor had instigated the move that led to that goal, and he got his own name on the score-sheet, picking up the ball in the middle of the park, evading a couple of challenges on his way to the box and firing Bovey ahead. Orchard then ran down the right and squared to Cliff Walters for the hosts’ third before Paddy West’s through-ball gave Ashley White the chance to wrap up the points.
Teignmouth take on Liverton as they bid to close the gap on St Martins on Saturday. Galmpton will need a result at the University of Exeter to get back into the top half, while Brixham visit Alphington. Spurs and Tots have the chance to improve things as they play the bottom two – Spurs at home to Axminster and Tots away to winless Okehampton.
In the SDFL, Watcombe continue to lead the way with a 5-3 win at Brixham AFC Reserves; Austen Booth scored a double with Sean Finch, Lewis Woodmore and Pete Summerfield, who also missed a penalty, scoring the remainder. Upton Athletic started well as East Allington endured successive defeats at home, the score 3-2 at Poole Lane, Guy Watson and Dan Robey with the hosts consolations. Dartmouth started their season last night with a win, going one up in the derby against Loddiswell through Karl Baker within the first minute. But Lodds held on for a respectable 1-0 defeat to one of the title favourites.
In Division One, Beesands scored three times – but twice against their own ‘keeper – as Buckland Thirds won the midfield battle at the Cellars. Cowling (2) and Pike were also on target for Bucks in a 5-1 result against their expected title rivals. Ashburton are also highly fancied and they started with a 5-2 win at Paignton Villa.
Division Two saw Roselands annihilate Brixham Town 16-2, while the Paignton Saints goalkeeper sustained a hand injury trying to save the Abbotskerswell opener, a 20-yard screamer, forcing Sean Hooton to take over in goal. Saints began to take control in the second half and claimed their point courtesy of a Matt Reed strike. Elsewhere Buckfastleigh Rangers inflicted a defeat on Watcombe Wanderers Reserves, 4-1 the final score.
Kriss Attiwell and young Finn Watson won East Allington United Reserves the points at Teign Village, while Torbay Police thumped Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves 11-1 in the two Division Three ties.
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