South Devon Football League: Game of many chances but only one goal as Brixham take on WBB

Brixham AFC Reserves celebrated a hard-fought win at Abbrook Park in a game of many chances but just the one goal, writes NEIL HOCKING.

The Fishermen could have gone ahead within the first minute, Dalton Sanders rounding Watts Blake Bearne goalkeeper Jamie Howarth but putting his shot agonisingly wide of the far post.

Having survived that early scare, WBB were then rocked by the early loss of Billy Clinch to a dislocated knee. Shortly after that they fell behind when Tom Dare hit Mark Griffiths' right-sided cross into the top of the net.

WBB pressed for an equaliser and created more than enough chances to score one, Kane Gonzalez coming closest in the first half when he rattled the post with a fierce drive.

Hugo Griffiths, who had come on for Clinch, really should have levelled ten minutes before half-time. Cam Gill's neat ball put the substitute through on goal. But he took one too many touches and Luca Martinez did well to force him off the ball. Two minutes later, Gill stung the gloves of Tom Hopper with a low, close-range drive from the left.

Brixham did have their chances to add to their lead, and they could have doubled up five minutes before half-time when a low shot from a wide angle grazed the post.

But the next drama came from an unlikely source, an accidental collision between Gill and referee Barry Hayward leading to the latter giving way to WBB's Andy Moore for the remainder of the half - he did return for the second half though.

Hugo Griffiths hit the bar in the ten minutes of injury time but the ball bounced down just the wrong side of the line from a home perspective. Hopper tipped over Charlie Madden's goalbound header two minutes later, and WBB went into the break a goal down.

Determined to find a way back, the home side fired wide from their first attack of the second half and hit the woodwork for the third time two minutes later.

Brixham soon settled though, and the second half was more even than the first, Mark Griffiths a constant danger on the counter-attack.

The WBB defence did well to keep him quiet though, Mark Perring with some vital tackles at the back. Antony Williams also made an important interception when Griffiths' header put Sanders through on goal.

Chances came and went for both sides, but the home side couldn't seem to find that extra gear they needed. With five minutes remaining, Alex Harding had a great chance to seal it for the visitors, but Howarth pulled off a low save to keep the hope alive. That hope fell apart in a frustrating end to the game for the hosts, which saw them waste numerous chances in the final minutes.

"We could have won two games with the amount of chances we had, especially in the second half," said WBB assistant manager Alex Copp. "It just wasn't to be today, was it? It was one of those game. Everything in the box dropped back to them, and they defended really well. So they deserve their three points.

"I feel if one of ours had gone in, we probably would have gone on and won the game. I'm generally disappointed but fair play to Brixham, and we'll go again next week."

The wait for a Plymouth side to win the Torbay Clearance Services Herald Cup goes on as holders Kingsteignton Athletic put four past visiting Elburton Villa Reserves without reply to make the quarter-finals. Tom Reeves, Ryan Tovagliari, Ross Beer and James Perrins made the score-sheet for the rampant Rams.

The final place in the last eight went to fellow Premier Division outfit Ivybridge Town Reserves, but the Ivies were pushed all the way by their Division Three hosts Bovey Tracey Reserves. With neither side able to find a winner in 120 minutes, the game went to penalties, the visitors winning that contest 4-2.

Buckfastleigh Rangers went back to the top of the Torbay Clearance Services Premier Division with a 4-1 home victory over Chudleigh Athletic. Luke Brown, George Davidson, Tom Moody and Charlie Morgan netted for Rangers with Alfie Luscombe contributing a goal for the visitors.

East Allington United move up to fifth with a narrow 4-3 win over bottom club Paignton Saints Reserves. The Pirates shared their booty with Fin Bullen, Dylan Coates, Andy King and Fred Massey all weighing in with goals. Saints' Josh Mason did come away from Poole Lane with the match ball though.

In contrast, the miserly defences of Newton Abbot '66 and Waldon Athletic meant that game finished goalless.

In Division One, an Adam Winkworth brace at Paignton Villa helped Beesands Rovers to a 2-1 victory. The Bees go eight points clear.

Watcombe Wanderers maintained their healthy lead in Division Two with a fourth win on the bounce and consecutive clean sheets to boot. Jamie McGuinness, Oli Pyne, Laurence Macleod and Harry Gouldthorpe each found the net in a 4-0 triumph over Brixham Town.

Runaway Division Three leaders Waldon Athletic Reserves haven't conceded a goal in over 450 minutes following their 3-0 home win over Newton Abbot '66 Reserves. Stephen Rohan gave the Clarets a 1-0 lead at half-time with Bailey Clarke and Shane Essam completing the job in the second half. Waldon have now won 13 games in a row in all competitions.

Division Four leaders Waldon Athletic Thirds were without a game last weekend which allowed Liverton United and South Brent to close the gap to a point. Joshua Passmore-Tarpey scored the winner as Liverton beat Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves 1-0 at Halford. South Brent enjoyed a 5-1 win at Broadhempston United.