Article and photo by Tom Besford.
As we come to the end of October we have a full fixture programme in store and plenty more action to come before Christmas which is slowly creeping up on us. So far this season, the weather has been kind to us and long may that continue.
Alphington v Topsham Town:
Alphington have adapted to live in the Devon League, following promotion from the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division, like a fish to water having won eight of their opening twelve league matches and coming into this game top of the table. Visitors Topsham Town have also enjoyed a great start to the season and sit in fifth spot with six wins and three draws from eleven games. The last time the two clubs met in a league game was in the 2021/2022 season, which ended in a comfortable Topsham Town win as they beat the Alphas 5-0. A home win in this fixture will see Alphington end the day just two points less than they ended the entire 2021/2022 season with!
Appledore v Plymstock United:
It is a long trip to North Devon for Plymstock United as they look for their first league points at Marshfield since the final day of the 2013/2014 season which saw Plymstock win 2-1. The Stockies make the long trip on the back of just their second league victory this season, as they beat Beer Albion 3-2 at home last Saturday. As for their hosts, Appledore won 4-1 on the road at Dartmouth last week and currently sit third in the division; the club have also scored three or more goals in all of their last three fixtures, so the Plymstock defence will have to be at their best to help pick up some points on the road.
Beer Albion v Newtown:
These two clubs have something in common: they are the only two sides who have lost away at Plymstock United this season, as Beer Albion lost 3-2 on the road last week. Beer have now failed to win any of their last three league games, and this includes a 3-2 defeat away at Newtown in September. As for Newtown, their last win in all competitions came against Beer Albion as they have gone on to lose 2-1 at North Molton SC and on penalties at Beesands Rovers in the Devon Premier Cup. A game between two out of form teams who will both be looking to change their luck and get back to winning ways.
Bere Alston United v Ipplepen Athletic:
The bottom two in the league go head to head on Saturday, and the hosts remain the only side in the league without a win to their name. It hasn’t been all bad for the hosts this season though who managed a point against high flying Topsham Town, beat Beer Albion in the ThirstFitness League Cup and took a 2-0 lead against Budleigh Salterton last Saturday, only to draw 2-2. Visitors Ipplepen Athletic have endured some heavy defeats so far this season but also managed a point in their last league fixture, as they drew 1-1 against North Molton SC last Saturday. This will be a tough game for both of the league’s basement sides, and a win for either side could prove to be massive in a bid to pull away from the bottom of the table.
Budleigh Salterton v Thorverton:
The hosts will be looking to improve on their performance from last weekend as they had to battle from 2-0 down to get a point at bottom of the table Bere Alston United. The hosts have failed to win in any of their last five league matches and will be hoping to put an end to that run against a Thorverton team who sit just five points ahead. The visitors have won both of their last two away games 1-0, and whilst they don’t score many goals, they are not a team to knock having already taken several points off the clubs at the top of the division this season. This could be a close game that once again comes down to just a single goal separating the sides.
Dartmouth v North Molton SC:
Following relegation from the South West Peninsula League Premier East at the end of last season, Dartmouth have struggled to hit the ground running this season and have just managed five wins from twelve games. The Darts have lost three of their last four league games, and this includes two 4-1 defeats against Appledore and University of Exeter. The hosts will be looking for a change in form as they host struggling North Molton SC who are third from bottom with just two wins in eleven games, however, the visitors come into this game unbeaten in their last two, as they picked up a point at fellow strugglers Ipplepen Athletic and beat Newtown 2-1.
Plymouth Marjon v Elmore:
Second place host fourth place in the league in what could be the standout game of the day, as both clubs come into this fixture on twenty two points. Last Saturday, both clubs were in ThirstFitness League Cup action and went all the way to penalties to determine the winner, as Plymouth Marjon were victorious against University of Exeter whilst Elmore lost at Alphington. In the league, Elmore have won their last two games whilst Plymouth Marjon have lost two of their last four. This should be a tight match but a very entertaining fixture.
University of Exeter v Ottery St Mary:
University of Exeter have lost their last two games, as they were defeated on penalties in the ThirstFitness League Cup at Plymouth Marjon and lost their last league game 2-0 away at Ottery St Mary. The Students will have this recent defeat to the Otters on their mind and they will be out looking for a quick revenge. The Otters lost 1-0 at Thorverton last weekend but won their last two league games prior to that as they beat Uni and Plymstock United. Recent form suggests this game could go either way as University of Exeter will want to close the gap on the top of the table whilst Ottery St Mary will know that a win could help push them closer to the top five.