Bucks Chasing Kings
BUCKLAND Athletic Reserves maintained their pressure on leaders Kingsteignton Athletic in the South & West Division of the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League after an impressive 8-1 victory at home to a dangerous Paignton Saints outfit on the weekend.
The Kings recovered well from their first defeat of the campaign at Plymstock to overpower Roselands in a 7-0 triumph but results were a lot tighter across the rest of the division.
Plymouth Argyle’s Community Development side enjoyed their best day yet at this level, defeating high-flying Watcombe Wanderers with goals from Josh Johnson and a thunderbolt free-kick by Dylan Peters.
Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves also won 2-1 at Bere Alston and there was a confident 3-1 success for Plympton Athletic at Lakeside thanks to goals from Chris Harvey, Sam Brute and James Yates. The final game in S&W ended in a 4-2 win for Totnes & Dartington at home to Ottery St Mary, with Dan Block scoring a hat-trick for the Tots.
In the North & East Division, Newtown moved top of the table with a solid 4-1 victory at home to Chudleigh Athletic, with the goals scored by Cory O’Donoghue, Jack Gill, Ben Howard and Kyle Bassett.
Exwick Villa made a big statement in a clash between two top-four clubs, winning 5-0 at the University of Exeter. Jesse Howe scored twice for Villa and there were further goals from Ashley Brittain, Harry Walford and Mitch Ward.
There was an incredible game at Bovey Tracey Reserves, where Witheridge recorded their first win of the season with an enthralling 7-4 victory. Withy raced into a 3-0 lead and then were 5-1 up before Bovey brought it back to 5-4, and this was all inside 48 minutes. The visitors regathered their composure to eventually run out 7-4 winners.
Dan Savage scored a brace as Heavitree recorded a comfortable 6-0 win at Liverton and Budleigh Salterton were too strong for Clyst Valley in their 5-1 triumph, but the final two games were a lot closer.
Exmouth Town Reserves scored the only goal in a tight game at home to Braunton and St Martins performed superbly to win 2-0 at in-form Teignmouth, with Ben Watson and Lee Radford on target for the Saints.