OPENING day fixtures in the South Devon Football League were reduced to just 16 games to allow the county cups to start, writes Alastair Muirden.

The games that SDFL teams were involved in produced 143 goals, plenty of talking points and even a few shock results.

DIVISION ONE

Beesands Rovers, fresh out of the Premier Division, set out their stall with a 3–1 victory at WBB, Jack Eades striking twice to help take three points home to the South Hams.

It’s Paignton Villa who top the table after week one though thanks to a 5-2 win at newly promoted Barton Athletic and the goals came from five different scorers.

The team that came up with Barton from Division Two, Liverton Utd, had a more fruitful start to the season with a hard-earned 5-4 success over Brixham Town. Jack Shelton set Livvy on their way but a hat-trick for last season’s golden boot winner Jamie Passmore made the difference, Graham Mercia also netting in a game full of entertainment.

DIVISION TWO

At Long Lane, Watcombe Wanderers 2nd XI became the first to face last season’s Plymouth and District champions Signal Box Oak Villa. Not only did they face them but they beat them too, winning 5-2.

Harbertonford, who very nearly went out of business during the summer, got underway with a 5-3 derby win over East Allington United 2nd XI.

Elsewhere at Coach Road, newly promoted Drake FC took the points against Paignton Saints 2nd XI. The final victors in Division Two were Ivybridge Town, who beat Paignton Villa 2nd XI by a single goal and coming off of the back of two successive relegations, they’ll be delighted with a winning start.

DIVISION THREE

Division Three is tipped to be anybody’s division and newly promoted Templar Way came a cropper at home against Liverton Utd 2nd XI, losing 6-2. Oliver West and Simon Ross were both on target but Kye Graham’s four-goal haul was the standout for Livvy.

Kingskerswell have not forgotten how to win, a 3–2 victory versus a young Kingsteignton Athletic 2nd XI side who made the more experienced team work for the points.

Stoke Gabriel TP 2nd XI just got the better of a Newton Abbot 66 2nd XI team that don’t lose many games during the course of a season. Daniel Trezise, Adam Blackburn and Elliot Osman were on target for the Bees in a 3–2 win that sets them off and running in what will be a tough campaign.

South Brent were the other team that made a positive start to their season, Taylor Kasitz scoring the only goal of the game as they overcame a young Ipplepen Athletic 2nd XI side.

Galmpton United, upon their return to the SDFL, shared the spoils with Waldon Athletic 2nd XI and actually finished the game with 10 players. Waldon meanwhile had four yellow cards and came close to a county misconduct charge so fortunately there was an experienced referee taking the lead.

DIVISION FOUR

Bere Alston Utd 2nd XI, the new boys in Division Four, got off to a winning start with a 2–1 victory over a stubborn Newton Rovers reserve team. Goals from Adam Daymond and Joshua Hewes did the trick for the team that were playing in an under-16 league last season.

Chudleigh Athletic 2nd XI top the division following a 9–1 thumping of Paignton Saints 3rds and they will be looking to go one better this season after just losing out on promotion last term.

Teign Village who finished in third place last season, have also set out their stall for the new season, beating Kingsbridge & Kellaton 6-3.

Elliot Glasser scored a brace in the final game to be played in Division Four, as Waldon Athletic 3rd XI and Barton Athletic 2nd met at Cricketfield Road, the game ending 2-2 in front of a decent crowd.

CUP COMPETITIONS

The county cups got underway this week and there are high expectations for some of the SDFL teams to go all the way in all three adult competitions.

Safely through to round two in the Premier Cup are; Ilsington Villa, who beat St Martins (Exeter) 3-2, Newton Abbot 66, who won on penalties versus Budleigh Salterton (step seven), Chudleigh Ath, who won 2–1 at Torridgeside (North Devon) and Paignton Saints, 5–1 winners at Dartington.

In the Senior Cup, Elburton Villa and Mount Gould progressed comfortably, but not quite as comfortable as Bovey Tracey. The Moorlanders made the long trip to Merton and scored 12 goals without reply.

In the Intermediate Cup, Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nd XI also made it into the hat with a 3–1 win over Paignton Villa 3rd XI. The remainder of the first-round ties are being played over the next two weeks, although there have been a large number of byes.

PREVIEWS

The standout fixture in the top division on Saturday, September 13, will be at Osborne Park. Newton Abbot 66 face Lakeside Ath in what will be a Premier Division christening for the Plymouth-based team against a Sixes side that are difficult to beat.

In Division One, Elburton Villa welcome Beesands Rovers to Haye Road for a fixture that last season was played as a top-flight game and one of the pre-season favourites, Bovey Tracey, open with a home game against Watcombe Wanderers.

In Division Two, all eyes will be on new boys Signal Box, as they look for an immediate improvement after losing their opening game. They are at home to Newton Rovers and Ashburton, who enjoyed a promotion season last time out, face an East Allington Utd 2nd XI team who came very close to promotion themselves last.

Game of the day in Division Three is at Michaels Field, where Templar Way welcome Kingsteignton Ath 2nds and both will be looking to get points on the board after suffering defeat last week.

Last season’s Division Four champions Kingskerswell travel to relegated Ipplepen Ath- two sides that have made some interesting signings during the summer and depending on when they are due at university, it could have a bearing on the outcome and that record.

All fixtures are available on the league’s full-time website and they all KO at 2.30pm. With Torquay Utd and Argyle playing away from home, get out and support your grassroots football team.