Halloween thriller at Coach Road a dream for Paignton Villa, nightmare for Beesands

Paignton Villa turned on the style for the crowd in the first of three Fair Play fixtures at Coach Road in the Torbay Clearance Services-South Devon Football League.

The game produced lots of tricks and treats and both teams agreed to donate the gate money to the Plymouth and District Leukaemia Fund. On the pitch, Villa ran out 5-3 winners, thanks to goals from Yanya Suliman, Tom Evans, Charlie Thomas and Babbucar Colley.

The win takes them into fourth place, just one point off of the top two, and whilst Beesands slip down to sixth, they are only three points off the top.

The SDFL would also like to thank Devon County FA for hosting the fixture, which is one of three games that are being offered to teams with an exemplary discipline record.

The Premier Division is looking a bit different now that the Waldon Athletic decision has been actioned. The withdrawal of Torquay’s only premier division team has left Barton Athletic in Division One as the highest ranked grassroots team in Torquay to play in the SDFL.

Whilst the league and club have spent a month or more trying to save the Waldon first team from pulling out of the competition, the bottom line is that it is difficult to attract players to play for a struggling team or expect second or third team players to step up to play in what is a tough division.

There are only four points separating the top seven teams, and it’s a Plymouth first and second this week with unbeaten Windmill leading the way following a 5-2 win over Totnes and Dartington, and right behind them are True Blues, who were held to a 2-2 thriller at Kingsteignton Athletic, who drop to eighth place but can beat any team on their day. On target for the Rams were Tom Reeves and Finlay Wood, Alfie Cole scored both goals for the visitors.

Lakeside Athletic got back to winning ways and a 4-0 home win versus a new-look Buckfastleigh Rangers side keeps them well placed, albeit having played more games. Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds had a game on their hands and had to settle for what was a good point for them and Paignton Saints in an entertaining 1-1 scoreline at the Rec.

The result of the day in the top division goes to Chudleigh Athletic, who may remain at the wrong end of the table but a 5-2 home win versus a good East Allington United team with goals from Gavin Lake, Riley Snell, Kia Stocker and Gavin Hammon, keeps them off the bottom on goal difference.

Here is one for the stats fans out there, Chudleigh are joint bottom having dropped 9 points but Lakeside are fourth from top having dropped 11 points!

At the top of Division One, Brixham Town have moved five points clear following a 6-4 win at Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds. Incredibly, it was 1-1 at half time but eight second-half goals turned a drab affair into an entertaining cracker.

In the only other game played in this division, Barton Athletic overcame Watcombe Wanderers by 5 goals to 4 and both stay in mid-table in this very close competition. Full report and photos from this game available on Davesworld Proboards.

Babbacombe Corries remain on top of Division Two, a comprehensive 12-2 win over Upton Athletic keeps them a point ahead of the three chasing Plymouth-based teams.

Signal Box had a good win at Paignton Saints 2nds, a 4-1 scoreline with goals from Jordan Rickards, Jake Cribb and Callum Austin ensured the points were heading down the A38.

Ivybridge Town came out on top in the derby game against Drake FC, the final score was 1-0 and keeps the Ivies three points ahead of their rivals. Paignton Villa 2nds moved into the top half of the table with a 5-3 victory over winless Newton Rovers at Bakers Park.

This division has three teams at the bottom who could each do with a win and the week after next, Upton Athletic play Newton Rovers, which will give that opportunity to both teams.

In Division Three, it was all about the bottom half of the table, where Ipplepen Athletic collected their first win of the season with a 3-1 success at Waldon Athletic 2nds to move them off the bottom on goal difference and South Brent won the A38 derby game by two goals to nil at Buckfastleigh Rangers in a scrappy affair to move into sixth place and six points ahead of the team behind them.

Finally, Newton Abbot 66 reserves stayed in contention with a comfortable 7-1 win against Totnes and Dartington 2nds at Osborne Park.

Division Four had a full programme and at the top, Chudleigh Athletic 2nds remain three points clear as a result of a 5-2 win at Kate Brook over Barton Athletic 2nds to keep their good form going.

In the second v third game, Teign Village’s momentum was reeled in by Brixham Town 2nds in a great game at JC Park. The Fishermen won 3-1 and move within two points of the Teign Valley side, and they have a game in hand.

Just a mention for all the volunteers and players at Brixham Town who have stuck with the club through a few tough seasons and now seem to be enjoying their football again, a massive well done to you all.

Bere Alston United had to settle for a point in their visit to the White Rock stadium, where they faced a Paignton Villa 3rd team that held them to a 2-2 scoreline and according to some accounts had some good chances to win the game.

Bere Alston remain in fourth place, eight points off the lead and Villa are fourth from bottom with games against the three teams below them in the month of November.

Kingsbridge and Kellaton United also continue to pick up points. This week, they settled for a 1-1 draw versus Newton Rovers 2nds, who remain at the bottom but will be pleased to put a point on the board. As for Kellaton, they remain in mid-table and are also enjoying their Saturday afternoons having stuck together through some tough seasons, well done to Tina and Andy.

Games to catch this weekend

Cup fever comes to the SDFL with some cracking ties that kick off at 2pm. Potential banana- skins include Kingskerswell (Div 3) v Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds (Prem), Totnes and Dartington (Prem) v Elburton Villa (Div 1), Mount Gould (Div 1) v Lakeside Athletic (Prem), Waldon Athletic 2nds (Div 3) v Teign Village (Div 4).

Local Derbies: East Allington United (Prem) v Beesands Rovers (Div 1), Brixham Town face Barton Ath and WBB host Watcombe Wanderers all from Division One, Babbacombe Corries face Drake FC in an all Division Two tie.

In the league games taking place, Liverton United play Bovey Tracey at 2.30 and worth a watch will be Signal Box at home to East Allington United 2nds. In Division Three, Galmpton United will be looking to put one over Liverton United 2nds, who have already beaten the Greens this season and finally in Division Four, Brixham Town 2nds face the journey to Bere Alston where they will have a tough challenge not to come home empty handed.

Enjoy your grassroots football.