Chasing Pack
PLYMSTOCK United have offered a ray of hope to the chasing pack in the South & West Division of the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League by inflicting a first defeat on league leaders Kingsteignton Athletic.
It was an ideal start for Plymstock against the visiting Rams, as Jack Lethbridge rifled home a cracking finish on nine minutes and they held that slender advantage until a 2-0 victory was sealed by a late strike from the in-form Fraser Bricknell.
Second-placed Watcombe Wanderers took their chance to close the gap with a 2-0 win at home to Bere Alston, thanks to goals from Charlie Cuss and Alex Constantinou. Waldon were unable to repeat that trick, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by a resilient Plymouth Argyle Development side. Waldon actually led 2-0 but were pegged back by a Theo Ramsey brace, including a stoppage-time leveller.
Bottom club Paignton Villa went down 2-0 at Plympton Athletic, with Chris Harvey and Scott Rennie scoring the goals, while Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves overpowered Ottery St Mary 5-1 in a clash between two struggling sides.
There was an enthralling local derby at Roselands, where the home side were beaten 5-3 by Paignton Saints. Jamie Micklewright scored again for the Saints, taking his club tally to an impressive 100 goals.
It was an emotional day for Totnes & Dartington, as they paid tribute to manager Mark Rogers, who tragically passed away earlier this month. The players delivered a brilliant performance for the gaffer, beating Lakeside Athletic 5-0 with some tremendous football on display.
In the North & East Division, leaders Alphington Town delivered a brutal display of finishing, as they dismantled Liverton United with an 11-0 win. Ryan Moody grabbed the scoring headlines, bagging five for the rampant Alphas.
St Martins were another side in ruthless mood, as they defeated Topsham Town 10-0, with Lee Radford scoring a hat-trick for the Saints. It was a far tougher assignment for second-placed Newtown, as they eventually ran out 2-1 winners at Braunton with goals from Kyle Bassett and a Jack Gill penalty.
Back to the theme of dominant victories and the University of Exeter are a side in form, as they won 6-0 at lowly Clyst Valley, with Josh Valentin another in the weekend hat-trick club. Exwick Villa triumphed 2-0 at home to Witheridge with goals from Nathan May and Ashley Brittain.
Chudleigh and Teignmouth shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw and there was a narrow 3-2 win for Heavitree at home to Budlegih Salterton to round off another intriguing weekend of action in the Devon Football League.
The final game of the weekend was another cracker and completed the first round of the McDonalds League Cup. Tavistock Reserves were seemingly cruising at 4-1 up against Exmouth Town Reserves but the visitors produced an extraordinary fightback to eventually progress with a 5-4 win.