Buckland smash eight in league opener

After a long summer of fitness and preparation, Buckland Athletic swept to an 8-0 victory over a young Welton Rovers in the opening round of fixtures from the Jewson Western League.

Defender Myles James opened the scoring with a rocket volley from a corner and summer signing Ryan Richards doubled the lead on the half-hour, rifling a fearsome drive into the top corner.

Another new recruit, Adam Hill, added the third with a bullet header and the fourth came on the hour via a free-kick from Sam Morcom. Frankie Jones was next on the score sheet with a close-range finish before last season’s leading scorer, Jared Lewington, joined the party with a clever flick.

Number seven was a special goal for Ryan Bush, his 100th in Buckland colours, and the scoring was completed by the same man with a minute remaining.

Brixham travelled to Saltash United for their opening game and it was a far tighter affair, with both sides boasting a number of new signings and perhaps taking time to gel in the competitive environment.

The Fishermen looked to have pinched victory when young substitute Tom Mortimore grabbed the opener on 82 minutes but Saltash quickly levelled for a 1-1 draw. The two sides meet again in the FA Cup at Wall Park on Saturday. Brixham travelled to Torpoint in the league on Tuesday evening.

Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police begin their South-West Peninsula League campaign this weekend and will take great heart from an impressive 5-2 friendly win over Bodmin Town on Saturday.

In blazing sunshine at Broadley Lane, Bodmin raced into a 2-0 lead but Stoke, crucially, pulled one back on the stroke of half-time. They then levelled with a sumptuous header from 16 year-old Sam Hext and raced clear with three more goals from an enterprising and exciting young attacking unit.