THE opening weekend of the Devon Football League season is complete and what a cracking start, with 36 goals scored in the South & West Division and the net bulged 31 times in North & East.
The very early pacesetters in N&E are Exwick Villa, who won 6-0 at Clyst Valley, with Sam Johnson scoring a brace, Jesse Howe, Nathan May and James May also on target, plus an own goal.
Teignmouth recorded a 5-1 victory at home to Topsham Town and it was the same scoreline for Newtown against Liverton United. After going 1-0 down to Liverton, Kyle Bassett banged in a superb hat-trick for Newtown and there were also goals from Sam Stapleton and Cory O’Donoghue.
Budleigh Salterton had kicked-off the Division on Friday night with a 3-0 home win over Witheridge, scoring all three goals in a blistering first-half, as a strike by Sam Hollis was sandwiched by two efforts from Harry Gibings.
The University of Exeter put in a fine display at Exmouth Town Reserves but could find no way past a resolute home defence, and Exmouth were ruthless at the other end, winning 2-0 with goals from Tom Bray and a Josh Gresham free-kick.
It was a terrific tussle at St Martins, where Braunton ran out 2-1 winners with goals from Russell Harrison and debutant Ryan Mugford scoring from close-range. Alphington also won 2-1 at Bovey Tracey Reserves, with Aidan Whitfield picking up the man of the match award for the Alphas.
Kingsteignton Athletic lead the S&W, following up their 2-0 success at Totnes & Dartington in the inaugural game on Wednesday night with a 3-0 triumph at home to Paignton Villa, largely thanks to an excellent brace from Ashley Dove.
There was a thriller at Lakeside Athletic, where Tavistock Reserves won 7-3. Tavvy raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Morten Wilmot and Josh Ryeland. Lakeside responded with a three-goal burst, including a screamer by Kriston Gargett. Incredibly, Tavvy came back again to lead 4-3 at the interval. The visitors were inspired after the break, with a Lloyd Russell double helping them run out 7-3 victors.
The goals were also flying in for Buckland Athletic Reserves, 5-1 winners at Paignton Saints. Dan Rankin scored a superb first-half hat-trick for the Bucks and Saints were unable to find a way back in the game, but got their debut goal at this level through Matt Reed.
Josh Mason scored twice and goals from Tom Pennicott and Spike Bond helped Waldon Athletic to a 4-2 success at home to Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves, while Totnes & Dartington recovered from their opening day loss by winning 3-0 at Ottery St Mary.
Bere Alston were made to work in defeating Plymouth Argyle Community Development 2-1, with goals from Aaron Rocky and Hardy. The final two games ended in entertaining 2-2 draws at Watcombe and Roselands.
At Roselands, there were home goals from Tom Dunlop and Curtis Booth but they also came up against a top performance from Plympton Athletic goalkeeper Ryan Walkey. Chris Batey and Scott Rennie scored the goals for Plympton. Plymstock United came away happy with a 2-2 draw at Watcombe to complete an excellent start to the Devon Football League.