GOALS were again the theme of the weekend in the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League, with an average of almost five per game in the North & East Division.

Alphington dropped their first points of the campaign, as they were held in a 3-3 thriller at home to Topsham Town. It was a great result for Topsham, who were denied all three points by a superb late penalty save from the home side but a brace from Connor Howe and Alex Gibbins’ strike enough to halt the Alphas march.

Exwick Villa were one of many leading sides given the chance to exploit the dropped points for Alphington and they duly delivered with a 4-2 home win over Chudleigh, who twice pegged back their hosts with goals from Aspden Wilson but were ultimately beaten by a Sam Johnson double and further strikes from Jesse Howe and Tom Tricker.

A 2-1 win at home to Witheridge kept Teignmouth right in the mix at the top and Newtown overcame a tough Braunton side in the battle between fifth and seventh before kick-off. Kyle Bassett and Ben Howard were on target for Newtown in a 2-0 win.

A Lee Radford brace helped St Martins secure a 4-1 triumph over the University of Exeter and the Saints are quietly moving into a dangerous position near the top, while there were important wins for Liverton and Budleigh Salterton down the bottom of the table.

In a clash between two sides without a point before kick-off, Liverton came out 3-2 winners at Bovey Tracey Reserves and Budleigh were too strong for bottom club Clyst Valley, as they ran out 5-2 victors at Winslade Park.

The goals were not quite so free-flowing in the South & West Division, where Kingsteignton Athletic extended their lead at the top with a 1-0 win at fourth-placed Waldon Athletic, with Ashley Dove scoring the only goal of the game.

The two teams in second and third before kick-off could not be separated, as Watcombe Wanderers and Tavistock Reserves battled out a 1-1 draw, with Lloyd Russell’s opener for Tavvy cancelled out in the second half.

Plymstock United moved into the chasing pack with an excellent 3-1 win at home to Lakeside Athletic. Jack Lethbridge opened the scoring for Plymstock, Lakeside then levelled but were beaten by second-half goals from Kriss Young and Fraser Bricknell.

There was a massive win down the bottom for Ottery St Mary, as they defeated Plymouth Argyle’s Community Development side with a 2-0 win. Paignton Villa got their first victory at this level, edging past Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves with a 2-1 scoreline.

Sam Chorley scored the only goal for Roselands in their 1-0 success at Totnes & Dartington, a Dan Rankin double gave Buckland Athletic Reserves a 2-1 win at home to Plympton Athletic and the final game ended in a 3-1 triumph for Paignton Saints at Bere Alston United.