SDFL Latest: Ten out of Ten for Premier-Topping Pirates
The SDFL may have been littered with postponements, but the Premier Division survived unscathed, with an average of six goals per game for those supporters who braved the damp to see their local teams.
Any worries about how East Allington United would cope with the absence of leading scorer Si Hannaford were firmly put to bed as the Pirates scored six away at Newton Abbot Spurs to reclaim pole position ahead of Dartmouth AFC who didn’t play. Ben Robey scored four times at the Rec, with Andy Davis and Dan Bowles completing the scoring.
Defending champions Watcombe Wanderers wrapped up the double against Waldon Athletic in a feisty derby at Windmill Hill, with Dan Broadway making an appearance for the Greens following his move from Dartmouth. Broadway nearly fired an early debut opener but the ball went out for a corner from which Kain Bond was credited with the early opener, although the ball may have come off a Waldon player. Danny Harvey’s return to the side brought him two goals from two penalties, one either side of the break, to put Watcombe in the clear. Waldon did manage a goal back following one of many free-kicks, but it was too late to affect the outcome.
Upton Athletic climbed two places to third by overcoming Kingsteignton Athletic 7-0; Athletic also unveiled some new signings including Jordan Kewell from Bovey Tracey’s first team and Craig Derrick and Darren Sowerby from WBB. Shane Shobbrook helped himself to a hat-trick, there was a brace for Ryan Hare and Derrick weighed in with a single as the division’s top scorers ran riot. The Rams put through their own net to complete an unhappy afternoon.
Bovey Tracey Reserves couldn’t benefit from the result though, the bottom side losing out 7-1 at home to Buckland Athletic Reserves. Young winger Kieran Parkin hit two for the yellows, with the other five contributed by Lewis Perring, Gav Collins, Mark Sneap, Lee Chapman and Stuart Sparkes.
Ivybridge Town Reserves are unbeaten since November and added three more points to their total by overcoming neighbours Loddiswell Athletic 5-2 at Erme Park. Kingskerswell & Chelston ensured there would be no repeat of their 5-0 reverse at Broadley Lane, Paul Edwards’ side earning a 1-1 home draw over Stoke Gabriel Reserves.
In Division One’s only surviving fixture, Brixham AFC Reserves and Kingskerswell & Chelston Reserves fought out a 3-3 draw at Wall Park, the point enough to lift the Fishermen up to second spot.
In Division Two, Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves recorded a third successive win to move into the top three, edging Brixham AFC Thirds 3-2 at Broadpark. Newton United enjoyed a much-needed win, a brace from Chris Harper and a single from Dave Crowhurst at the Denbury Playing Fields helping the home side to three points aginst Harbertonford, 3-2 the final score.
Division Three leaders Watcombe Wanderers Reserves claimed another three points with a narrow 3-2 home win over Upton Athletic Reserves, Liam Strong, Simon Ross and Sam Edney with the goals. Teign Village are finding wins hard to come by, but they collected another point with a 1-1 draw at Windmill Hill against Waldon Athletic Thirds.
It’s all change again at the summit of Division Four, as Riviera United came out victorious for the third game in a row, again away from home, hitting five past Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves whose sole effort came from Whittingham. In the only other game, Roselands Reserves started the year with a decent 4-2 home win over Newton Rovers.
Broadmeadow chipped a bit more off the big lead enjoyed by Watcombe Thirds in Division Five with the only goal at Michael’s Field, condemning Moretonhampstead to a fourth loss on the bounce. Stoke Fleming & Strete pulled themselves back off the foot of the table with a 2-1 triumph at home to Broadhempston United Reserves.
