Peninsula East Trio Fall to South Devon Raids
Three Peninsula East sides fell at the hands of SDFL teams in an exciting day of Premier Cup First Round action. Despite going behind to the Lambs of Tavistock, holders Watcombe fought back to take a 3-1 victory, Curtis Booth (pictured) with two and Sean Finch also scoring. Buckland Athletic Reserves join the Greens in the Second Round, with Sneap’s strike enough to beat Totnes & Dartington, while Ivybridge Town Reserves brought more success to South Devon with a 3-2 win at Alphington. Kingsteignton Athletic defeated rivals Watts, Blake & Bearne 6-1 to progress in the Premier Cup but Dartmouth AFC and Upton Athletic both crashed out at home. Newton Abbot Spurs cruised through 4-0 at Dartmouth, player-manager Adam Dyson helping himself to a hat-trick with Jake Elms also on the score-sheet in a match which saw Spurs three up by the break. The only downside to the afternoon for Spurs was the dismissal of Jake Chisholm. A 2-2 draw at Barton Cricket Club ended with the University of Plymouth beating Upton 3-0 on penalties. Stoke Gabriel Reserves also crashed out, Boca Seniors winning 4-2 at Broadley Lane.
In the Premier Division, promoted East Allington United sent a warning shot to their rivals with a thumping 6-0 home win over Kingskerswell & Chelston to move third as one of only three top tier sides yet to drop a point. Si Hannaford put away a hat-trick, Ben Robey scored twice and Dan Bowles also made the score-sheet. Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves enjoyed a home victory over Bovey Tracey Reserves, but the 2-1 score-line suggests the Moorlanders have continued to improve.
In Division One, Teignmouth Reserves couldn’t maintain their winning run, suffering a heavy 7-1 defeat at Wall Park as Brixham AFC Reserves return to winning ways. Draw experts Babbacombe Corinthians were held 2-2 at Barton downs by visitors Totnes & Dartington Reserves.
In Division Two, Brixham Town continue to make the most of their run of home games with a highly entertaining 9-4 victory over battling Abbotskerswell at St Mary’s Park, their fourth success in a row with 24 goals scored in their four league games. Halliday was once more on target, scoring three, with cup hero Swindells (2), Brooks (2), Drew and Buntam completingt the score-sheet. Waldon Athletic Reserves racked up consecutive wins, hitting Totnes & Dartington Thirds for six; bottom club Tots have yet to earn a point. Brixham AFC Thirds put last week’s derby disappointment behind them to triumph 5-3 at point-less Hookhills United. Harbertonford enjoyed their first win of the season defeating South Brent 3-1, the visitors still looking for their maiden victory.
In Division Three, Chudleigh Athletic Reserves’ turnaround continued with a narrow 3-2 home win over Harbertonford Reserves who lose for the second week running. Ipplepen Athletic Reserves fell to a fifth straight defeat, at home to Upton Athletic Reserves, although the bottom side will have been pleased to have kept the score respectable.
In Division Four, Torbay Police take top spot after a 3-1 win at Preston South End, Darren Chown with two and Bobby Chancellor with the remainder.
Broadmeadow’s winning start to their first season in the SDFL continued at the expense of fellow new boys Newton Rovers Reserves who were squeezed out 4-3 at home. There was nothing tight about the day’s other Division Five match, new leaders Watcombe Wanderers Thirds destroying Newton United Reserves 14-0, Sam Pyne and Kenneth Nixon with hat-tricks apiece.
Most SDFL teams were involved in County Cup ties. Foxhole United and Beesands Rovers progressed to Round Three of the Senior Cup with 4-1 away wins at Clyst Valley and Combe Martin, while Ashburton went one better with a 5-1 result at Axmouth United. Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves also won away, beating fellow SDFL side Buckland Athletic Thirds 1-0, as did Stoke Gabriel Thirds who edged Hemyock in a nine goal thriller. Paignton Villa also secured their place with a 7-2 victory at home to Lords XI. Out at Round Two go Newton Abbot 66, losing on penalties at home to Newton St Cyres after no goals in open play, and Broadhempston United and Buckfastleigh Rangers were also narrowly defeated at home, to Beacon Knights and Chagford respectively. Honiton Town put Chudleigh Athletic to the sword, the hosts winning 8-2. Newton United, Buckland & Milber and Paignton Saints also exited to Exmouth Amateurs, St Martins Reserves and Braunton Reserves respectively. Ipplepen were unable to raise a team to go to Upottery.
In the Intermediate Cup, the all Division Three tie at The Berry went the visitors’ way, Dartmouth Reserves putting Salcombe out 4-0. Dittisham made short work of fellow Division Four side Paignton Villa Reserves, winning 8-0 at Shinner’s Meadow. Another all-Division Four clash saw Jon Parsons score twice for AFC Staverton as Stavy swept aside Ilsington Villa 6-1 to progress, while Devon & Exeter side Chagford ended Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves’ interest in the competition with a narrow 2-1 win. There were plenty of surprise results. A double by Neil Thomas helped Division Five’s Barton Athletic overcome Division Three outfit Teign Village in a 4-1 away win and it was a similar story at Torquay Town with the team from the SDFL bottom tier upsetting East Allington United Reserves, unbeaten in Division Three. Ashburton Reserves (Div 5) also got in on the act, knocking out Waldon Athletic Thirds (Div 3) 7-1, as did Polonia Torbay (Div 4), knocking out South Brent Reserves (Div 3) 5-3. Elsewhere, things went more to form although Division Four’s Riviera United did well to drag Division Three’s Watcombe Wanderers Reserves all the way to penalties before bowing out. Division Four’s Liverton United Reserves overcame Buckland & Milber Reserves, a league below them, winning 7-3 away, while Newton Rovers, also of Division Four, put four past Malborough United of Division Five with yet another clean sheet to boot. Finally, there will be no county cup run to lighten the season for basement side Stoke Fleming & Strete who crashed out at Newton 66 Reserves.
