South Hams Neighbours Take Pole Position
East Allington United and Dartmouth AFC moved first and second in the Premier division with home wins. Si Hannaford and Tom Harvey scored the goals to help the Pirates to victory against Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves, while former Torquay man Karl Baker claimed a hat-trick for Darts in their 3-1 triumph over Ivybridge Town Reserves. Stoke Gabriel Reserves go fourth with a 4-0 success at Bovey Tracey Reserves who still search for their first point. Loddiswell Athletic defeated Kingsteignton Athletic 5-1 to leave the Rams facing a tough winter.
In Division One’s only fixture, Lee Morgan netted twice to help lift Beesands Rovers back to the top; Danny Tucker also found his scoring touch in a 3-1 triumph over Chudleigh Athletic.
Division One strugglers Stoke Gabriel Thirds defeated Division Two opponents Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves 2-1 at Broadley Lane in the last 16 of the Fred Hewings Cup, Chatfield and Horn finding the target. Ashburton Reserves overcame fellow Division Five outfit Broadhempston United Reserves 2-1 at Chuley Road to book their quarter-final place.
In Division Two, unbeaten Foxhole United inflicted a first defeat for Brixham Town, winning 3-1 at Belfield to go level top on points. Ashburton are within touching distance of the leaders, Harvey, Furnivall, Scott and Fox hitting the target at South Brent. There was more frustration for Totnes & Dartington Thirds who lost 3-2 for the second successive match. Chris Harper netted a hat-trick for victorious Newton United who also won the reverse fixture back in September – by the same scoreline. Harbertonford fell to a sixth defeat, Waldon Athletic Reserves winning 2-1 at Windmill Hill. The mid-table clash between Brixham AFC Thirds and Abbotskerswell went the hosts’ way, Brixham with a 3-0 result against inconsistent Abbots.
In Division Three, leaders Roselands made it seven wins out of seven with a comfortable 5-0 home win over East Allington United Reserves. Harbertonford Reserves move second, winning 8-3 at bottom club Ipplepen Athletic Reserves. South Brent Reserves picked up their first point with a 2-2 draw at Teign Village.
Third place Dittisham United moved within two points of the top of Division Four, winning 2-1 at Newton Rovers courtesy of a Lee Prestage brace. It was a fourth consecutive loss for Rovers, the last three at home. Liverton United Reserves stretched their run to five wins, 7-2 the score from Newton Abbot 66 Reserves. Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves shared the points with visitors Torbay Police at the Duckspond; Ryan Porter, Glen Palmer and James Kelly scored the goals for Rangers in a 3-3 draw. Polonia Torbay recovered from last week’s disappointment with a 4-2 home win in their ongoing saga with Preston South End.
In Division Five, leaders Watcombe Wanderers Thirds are almost halfway through their season and now nine points ahead after an 8-0 thumping of Newton Rovers Reserves. With the firsts’ match postponed, Sean Finch was available to score a double with brother Connor hitting a hat-trick. Sam Pyne, Luke Rhodes and Jamie Tozer completed the scoring. Moretonhampstead scored seven for the second time on their travels to move up to third spot, Stoke Fleming & Strete with one consolation goal. The productive striking partnership of Rui De Garces and Darren Bastow came good again with six goals, De Garces scoring four; Ryan Bond netted the remainder. Buckland & Milber Reserves move above Stoke with another point, first team striker Josh Moore (pictured) with both strikes in a 2-2 draw at home to Kingsbridge & Kellaton United.
