IT needed two great finishes to beat an inspired home goalkeeper, as Kingsteignton Athletic won 2-0 at Totnes and Dartington in the opening game of the Devon Football League.

Amid the fragrant fires of a delicious barbeque at T&D, the game started brightly for Kingsteignton and they went close when Aaron Paget was released on goal, but he was pulled up for an infringement. T&D responded with a superb passing move and the final shot was steered inches over by Thomas Weymouth.

The opening goal arrived on 17 minutes, and it was a cracker. Kingsteignton worked the ball nicely down the right flank and the cross was met on the half-volley by Ross Beer, who rifled an emphatic finish into the roof of the net.

The dangerous Beer, who was also a rock at the back, nearly doubled the lead from a corner moments later, but was denied by an athletic save from David Carroll, his first of many in a brilliant performance from the T&D custodian.

Carroll produced two more fine blocks before the Tots began to settle into the game and imposed themselves toward the end of the first period, again going closing through Weymouth.

It was, however, fitting that Carroll ended the first 45 minutes of the Devon Football League with another brilliant save, and started the second period with his next block.

The decisive moment arrived in 62 minutes and even Carroll could do nothing about a wonderful dipping free-kick from Ollie Kewell that found the top corner to extend Kingsteignton’s lead.

Totnes and Dartington remained a threat to the end and very nearly pulled one back but Kingsteignton goalkeeper Thomas Brooks, perhaps inspired by Carroll, produced a fine save of his own, and a compact defensive display from the visitors gave Kingsteignton a clean sheet start to the campaign.

It was a great occasion, played in tremendous spirit by both clubs, and superbly officiated in a calm manner by referee Matt Redmond. Well done to all involved and we move on to the start of the North & East Division on Friday night, when Budleigh Salterton host Witheridge.

The Devon Football League kicks-off tonight and we have very proud hosts in Totnes & Dartington Football Club, who welcome Kingsteignton Athletic for the opening game in the South & West Division.

For Chairman Andy Newson, Vice-Chairman Alan Blake, Club legend Charlie Stephens and the Committee at Totnes & Dartington, tonight’s game represents the culmination of three years of consolidation, having opted to drop down from the South-West Peninsula League to focus on work behind the scenes and building a comprehensive junior section.

The hard graft has been done and it is now all about the football, as two historic clubs in the County game prepare to kick-off a new adventure.

 “The work has been done behind the scenes to prepare us for this new level and we’re delighted and honoured to host the first game in the Devon Football League,” said Alan.

“Three years ago, we decided to come out of the Peninsula League after enjoying a lot of success, winning the Devon Premier Cup and two Throgmorton Cup finals. We won three major trophies but the committee made the decision to go back to our roots in local football, with a view to building to the level of football that we wanted.

“The creation of the new Devon Football League has been perfect for us. We were promoted from Division One in the South Devon League to the Premier and did well last season, so this means everything to us.

“The new league is a perfect stepping stone to where we want to be and we’re comfortable with this level. We don’t pay players’ wages or expenses, we’re a community club and our heart and soul is in the junior teams and disability teams, because that grows our senior team.

“We’re back into the County league against clubs we know well and some that are new to us. We’ve done a lot of work in the past few years and every penny goes into the club. We’ve upgraded our facilities to include a new small stand, improvements to the clubhouse and the pitch is in fantastic condition.

“Our second team has been restarted with a lot of young players, rooted in local football to bring through the next generation. We have consolidated over the last three years and hopefully now a stronger club for this league.”

There is also a nice symmetry for Alan to be welcoming Kingsteignton for this inaugural fixture, having played against them in his first and last games as a local footballer.

“In 1970, I made my debut for what was then called Dartington United Football Club and it was against Kingsteignton,” said Alan. “In my early fifties, I played my last game in South Devon League football against Kingsteignton Reserves.

“Charlie Stephens, who is the lifeblood of our football club, has been involved for 49 years, same as me. We’re convinced he lives at the ground because he does so much work and it’s fantastic for all of us to welcome Kingsteignton in the first game. Charlie was honoured for his incredible long service by the South Devon League last season.

“We’re off to Ottery St Mary on Saturday, who we’ve played in the Peninsula League, but also very excited to play against new clubs, such as Bere Alston, Tavistock Reserves and new grounds for Totnes & Dartington.

“To be given the honour of the first game is fantastic for us and we’re looking forward to the evening.”

The game kicks-off at 6.30pm at Foxhole Sports Field, TQ9 6EB

Kingsteignton Athletic (hoops) will start their DFL journey on Wednesday 14th at Totnes & Dartington F.C. (c)MiraclePR.com

Official parties from the Devon Football League will be in attendance at Totnes and Dartington’s Foxhole Sports Ground and Budleigh Salterton’s Greenway Lane next week as the long-anticipated DFL season kicks-off.

The South & West Division will be the first division to see action as Totnes & Dartington host Kingsteignton Athletic on Wednesday 14th August (6.30pm kick-off).

Then, on Friday 16th August (7.30pm kick-off), Budleigh Salterton will welcome Witheridge as the North & East Division gets underway.

The match referees (Alan Bassett and Paul Allen respectively) will bring the teams on to the pitch ten minutes before the scheduled start time after which they will be introduced to the DFL’s official party and take part in the ‘Respect’ handshake.

The DFL’s fledgling twitter feed: @DFLeague2019 had over 150 followers inside the first 24 hours. You will see our latest Tweets on the home page of this website and you should also see a Twitter icon which will enable you to jump straight through to our Twitter page.

The DFL is also building a new website (this one) in partnership with Clubnets and there is also the opportunity for clubs to access the rejuvenated FA Matchday App as a communication tool for managers and players, with potential scope to earn some revenue from the FA.

Tweets by DFLeague2019

Herald Cup holders Buckland Athletic Reserves will face a stern test as they travel to East Devon Senior Cup holders Newtown in the First Round of the McDonalds League Cup. (c)MiraclePR

The first ever meeting of the DFL concluded with the drama of the first ever McDonalds League Cup draw. Fixture Secretary Chris Cole oversaw the traditional drawing of numbered balls from a hat and there were plenty of tasty ties to look forward to.

Among them was a plum tie between the holders of two long-running, prestigious competitions: the East Devon Senior Cup and the Herald Cup. EDSC winners Newtown will entertain South Devon League double winners Buckland Athletic Reserves in a game which neither will want to lose.

There is also an enticing tie at Windmill Hill as Waldon Athletic, who played in the Peninsula Division One East last season host Devon and Exeter Football League champions Exwick Villa.

Elsewhere, the Robins of Budleigh Salterton, another former Peninsula side, will travel down to Chudleigh Athletic who finished as runners-up in the SDFL last season. There is also an interesting east v west clash between former Peninsula sides Bere Alston United and Alphington.

Here is the full draw:

A key component to the successful formation of any league is the recruitment of dedicated financial supporters and it was fantastic to welcome Scott Richards Solicitors from Teignmouth as the main DFL sponsors.

The DFL has also received backing from McDonalds, Thomas Westcott Accountants, SWAZ Teamwear, Carling, Firewatch and Pro-Direct Soccer, with a total prize money, across a number of categories, exceeding £10,000.

The composition of the DFL will see two separate divisions; one from the north and east of the county and the other comprising sides from the south and west. The two leagues of 16 clubs will see a mixture of former Peninsula sides, teams moving up from the County regional divisions and reserve outfits competing against each other.

The Devon Football League kicked-off in a sense on Tuesday night 11th June) with the inaugural league meeting held at Tiverton Town Football Club.

The DFL Committee met with member clubs, confirming the league structure for the 2019-20 season, introducing the new league sponsors, procedures, regulations, media output and the relationship with the South West Peninsula League.

Operating at Step 7 of the Football Association League structures, the DFL will be a tier above the existing regional divisions in the North, South, East and West of the County. The DFL will then potentially feed successful clubs into the Peninsula League.

It was very clear from the enthusiasm and appetite shown by all member clubs at the meeting that there is great excitement for everyone inside Devon football to now be embarking on a brand new competition.

Chaired by Devon FA Chief Executive Paul Morrison, Devon FA Chairman Bernard Leach and DFL Vice-Chairman Dave Baskwill, member clubs were given an introduction to the league rules, largely based on the format deployed by the Peninsula League last season.