FOLLOWING the devastating news of the passing of Totnes & Dartington manager Mark Rogers at such a young age, football results took a back seat this weekend for all involved in Devon Football.
The Tots paid tribute to Mark on the weekend, as they heralded a fantastic club stalwart, who was a tremendous footballer, coach and person on the local scene for many years. All of us at the Devon Football League send our thoughts to everyone at Totnes & Dartington Football Club.
Most of all, we send our love and deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends at this very sad time. Rest in Peace Buck.
On the pitches of Devon this weekend, it was all about the First Round of the McDonalds League Cup and, keeping up the early-season trend in the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League, the goals were flying in all over the place.
In a tussle between two sides riding high in their respective divisions, it was Exwick Villa from North & East who prevailed in a 6-2 win at ten-man Waldon Athletic from South & West. Sam Johnson bagged a hat-trick for Villa and there were also goals from Ashley Brittain, Jesse Howe and Ash Hudd.
N&E leaders Newtown were beaten 4-3 at home to Buckland Athletic Reserves in a superb game of football, while winless Clyst Valley were unable to break their duck at Heavitree United, going down 5-1 in a game where Sam Kemp scored as hat-trick for the hosts.
A new management team took charge for Newton Abbot Spurs in their 4-0 triumph at home to Ottery St Mary and Alphington had to work very at Bere Alston before squeezing to a 2-1 victory with a man of the match performance from Luke White.
Kingsteignton Athletic have been imperious in their 100% start to the league season but were made to work extremely hard before overcoming Roselands 2-1. It was an equally slender margin of victory for Topsham Town, defeating Plymouth Argyle’s Community Development side 1-0.
Budleigh Salterton needed a penalty shoot-out before finally getting past Chudleigh Athletic after a 2-2 draw in normal time. The University of Exeter also triumphed in the spot-kick lottery after being held to an entertaining 3-3 draw against Paignton Saints.
Witheridge are yet to win in the league this season but the cup clearly suits them, as Liverton United were crushed 10-2 in a superb display from Withy, while St Martins were almost as impressive in their 4-0 win at home to Watcombe Wanderers.
Paignton Villa are another side who have struggled to find form in their league campaign but were simply unplayable in the cup, demolishing Lakeside Athletic 8-0 with hat-tricks from Chris Srdinko and Tom Parvin.
The final game of the day yielded yet another treble on a day of hat-tricks, as Fraser Bricknell brilliantly helped Plymstock United fight back at home to Braunton and eventually triumph 4-3 after extra-time.