New South Devon League campaign kicks off with plenty of shocks

The opening weekend of the South Devon Football League season provided 153 goals and plenty of shock results that were worthy of a double take. Highest scorers of the day were Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds in Division One fresh from a poor season in the Devon League who managed to put 11 goals past a newly built Harbertonford team that will need to dust themselves off and start again. In this division both Brixham Town and Ivybridge Town got their season under way each with a solid 4 –1 win and one of the favourites, Watcombe Wanderers also started well.

But it really was all about the new teams as all but one enjoyed an opening day win. South Brent 2nds, Elburton Villa 3rds and Drake FC all scored five goals with Watcombe Wanderers 3rds going two better with seven against Paignton Villa 3rds.
In Division Three Ashburton FC just scraped past Paignton Saints 3rds by the odd goal in seven and the only new team not to win on opening day was Teign Village who lost 4 – 1 to Newton Abbot 66 2nds.
The season did not get off to a good start for Matt Shepherd, of Stoke Gabriel TP, who broke his leg and had to be taken to hospital in the back of an estate car as there were no ambulances available. The game was delayed for some time as a South Brent player broke his wrist in a separate incident. We wish both players a speedy recovery. Stoke went on to win the game 6 – 3. Watcombe Wanderers 2nd completed a hat trick of wins for the club and Liverton United got off to a winning start following promotion from Division Four.

The biggest shock results came in the Premier Division where champions Kingsteington Athletic lost 2-6 to newly promoted Morley Rangers and at Ilsington Villa who are playing in the Premier for the first time in their long history and who got the better of a strong East Allington United side in a seven goal thriller on the moor. Beesands Rovers who are back in the top league following an unbeaten season in 22/23 continued the theme with a 2 – 1 victory at Elburton Villa 2nds. Last season runners up Buckfastleigh Rangers got off to a solid start by beating fancied Watts Blake Bearne 6 – 2 at the Duckspond. There was a tighter affair at Windmill Hill between two of last season's relegation candidates. But it was Waldon Athletic who took the points against Chudleigh Athletic with Pete Summerfield rolling back the years with the only goal. The final result was at Osborne Park where Newton Abbott 66 put seven goals past a young Brixham AFC.team without reply.
This coming Saturday gives most clubs an outing in One and Three of the three competitions that are made compulsory for first teams to enter by Devon FA. Perhap, there has to be a discussion as to whether the early rounds should be regionalised as the organisers do not offer any travel expenses to local teams, unlike the teams in the pyramid who would get a share of gate receipts. Sometimes we need reminding that this is recreational football. Here are a pick of the fixtures with the miles.

Devon Senior Cup. Totnes and Dartington at Sidmouth 76. WBB at Torridgeside 108. Babbacombe Corries at Woolsery 158. Ivybridge at Barum 190 and poor old East Allington 2nds can look forward to a trip to Lynton, a mere round trip of 196 miles. In the Devon Premier Cup Newton Abbot 66 host Barnstaple 135. Waldon who have a mini bus travel to Hartland and Clovelly 148 and Brixham 2nds will need to leave early for their 156 mile round-trip to Appledore. This almost calls for an SDFL party at Tiverton services. At the time of writing Corries have pulled out of the fixture in North Devon opting to pay a £75 fine instead of incurring the cost of getting a team to this game.

Good luck and safe travels to all the South Devon League teams playing in the county cups this weekend.