SDFL: Weather delays return to action

The South Devon Football League resumed play following a winter break, but the recent wet weather took its toll and a large number of teams had an extra week off, writes Alastair Muirden.
In fact it has been so wet the league management allowed clubs to call off their games two days prior to the Saturday. Harbertonford FC reported that not one blade of grass was visible above the water level and a swimming gala would be more appropriate.
In the games that did take place Morley Rangers were given a new year shock by Waldon Athletic who put sevens past the Plymstock team to move themselves into fourth place in the Premier Division.
Former Exeter City player Les Afful scored five of the goals and with singles from Josh Clarke and Lewis Eaton this was certainly a happy new year for Steve Breed and his Torquay outfit.
Elsewhere in the Premier Kingsteignton Athletic have moved into third place and must be considered serious contenders again. Billy Bristow scored twice for the Rams in a close 2-1 home win over rivals Newton Abbot 66 who following a good run of results now find themselves just three points above the drop zone. The only other game in this division was down in the South Hams at Loddiswell where Beesands Rovers slipped up against Buckfastleigh Rangers who were playing their first game since November 25 - a single strike from Tom Weymouth secured the points and both teams remain mid-table.
In Division One Paignton Saints moved back to poll position following an excellent 7-1 win against promotion rivals Brixham Town. Curtis Clarke scored two and the others were spread between Max Burrows, Ben Clarke, Jamie Micklewright, Joshua Pagget and Lewis Walton. The result drops Brixham to fifth place but all the challengers have games in hand over the leaders. The big game at the bottom of this division saw Upton Athletic take three valuable points from Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds who have yet to win a league game. Alfie Slough, Shaun Johannsen and Jake James were on target for the Torquay team and Bucks could do with some of their cup form turning up for a league game as their cup quarter final is looming.
In Division Two of the Torbay Clearance Services league two of the promotion candidates met at on the artificial pitch at Coach Road. Paignton Saints 2nds ended the game with nine players on the pitch following some disagreements with the referee. The game itself ended in a bore draw but the point each keeps East Allington 2nds top for now. A big well done to Paignton Villa 2nds who won their first game of the season against fellow strugglers Ipplepen Athletic 2nds and Waldon Athletic 2nds also picked up a rare win versus Brixham Town 2nds who have stepped up from Division Three. These four teams remain the bottom four in Division Two.
In Three Watcombe Wanderers 2nds hired an artificial pitch to get their game against Kingsbridge and Kellaton played and it paid off, the Greens stay top with a 4-0 win thanks to a Simon Ross hat trick and a single from Harvey Hickman. Totnes and Dartington 2nds moved into second place with a 3-1 home win against Teign Village. The Tots are now six points behind Watcombe with two games in hand. Ben Davies, Joshua Squires and Jordan Baxter were the men on target.
Only two games were played in Four. The big game at the top saw Plymouth based Drake FC hold on to their unbeaten start in adult football with a 2-0 win at Chudleigh Athletic 2nds with goals from Callum Collings and Ben Webster which keeps them on course and in second place behind Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds whose game was off. The other game was at South Brent where the reserves won 5-2 against fellow strugglers Newton Rovers 2nds. Both teams remain in the bottom three.
With the weather forecast looking good for the week ahead hopefully we should have a full programme of fixtures on Saturday January 13.