Finch Double Gets Watcombe Off the Mark
Picture (c) miraclepr.com
Watcombe Wanderers started where they left off last season by beating rivals Upton Athletic 4-1 in their opening league fixture at King George V. Sean Finch (pictured) scored twice with Connor Finch and Danny Harvey also on target. Buckland Athletic Reserves presented new boss Cyril Gosling with an opening day win, putting five past newly promoted Bovey Tracey Reserves. It was better news for promoted East Allington, Tom Rowdon on the mark twice in an excellent 3-1 win at Stoke Gabriel Reserves. Kingskerswell & Chelston started in fine form, beating Kingsteignton Athletic 3-0, while Ivybridge Town Reserves won the South Hams derby at Loddiswell Athletic 4-2. Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves’ new management duo returned from Windmill Hill with a point after sharing four goals with Waldon Athletic.
Wright’s hat-trick for Babbacombe Corinthians helped the Clarets to an opening day 7-1 home win over Ipplepen Athletic, while Beesands Rovers first game in Division One also ended well as the Bees beat Stoke Gabriel Thirds 6-1, the damage done by Gus Hayward (2), Tim Bromfield, Joe Bailey, Lee Morgan and an own goal; Boiston with Stoke’s consolation. Newton Abbot 66, who ended their campaign well last season, started with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Brixham AFC Reserves. Buckland Athletic Thirds won a ten goal thriller 6-4 against Teignmouth Reserves, making a good start but almost being pegged back thanks to a Chris Bennett hat-trick. In fact, Teigns thought they had pulled it back to 5-5 but their equaliser was disallowed. Broadhempston United Reserves won their opener at home to Newton United Reserves, Sam Passmore and David Mortimore netting for Broads, Louis Lobb for United. Totnes and Dartington Reserves also won their opening tie.
In Division Two, there was a characteristically good start for Newton United, Chris Harper with four goals and Jamie Lock with the remainder in a 5-0 drubbing of Waldon Athletic Reserves. Abbotskerswell also got off to a flyer with a 4-0 win at Totnes and Dartington Thirds while Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves beat Harbertonford 2-0, Cross and Potter with the strikes. Foxhole United bagged three points with Brixham AFC unable to raise a third side.
In Division Three, Roselands went goal mad with an incredible 14-0 annihilation of Chudleigh Athletic Reserves. Bishopsteignton United slammed seven past Upton Athletic Reserves, while four different scorers helped Salcombe Town edge a seven goal battle at home to South Brent Reserves. Ipplepen Athletic Reserves were unable to field a side for their home clash with Teign Village.
In Division Four, Torbay Police couldn’t make the most of their first half dominance on Wednesday night’s opener, coming away from the Dorothy Elmhirst with a point after drawing 1-1 with relegated Meadowbrook Athletic. They then went down 1-0 at Newton Rovers on Saturday. Ilsington Villa and Riviera United both kicked off their campaign with wins while Paignton Villa Reserves fought out an entertaining 5-5 draw with Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves.
It was opening day joy for the league newcomers with Torquay Town winning 2-1 at Moretonhampstead despite new signing Krystian Partyka netting for the home side on his debut. Newton Rovers Reserves triumphed 3-1 at home to Malborough United. Ashburton Reserves and Broadhempston United Reserves also recorded wins.
