BUCKLAND Athletic 2nd XI were the big winners in SDFL Division One on opening weekend, reports Alastair Muirden.

Darren Sowerby and Richard Groves saw their side put 12 goals past Brixham Town at Homers Heath on Saturday, September 5.

Their leadership duo led from the front with captain Callum Noyce notching a hat-trick and vice-captain Jake Cuff adding a further four.

Leo Dobson-Hill (three), Harvey Roche and Charlie Wise were the other scorers for the Bucks whose goal difference is looking very healthy already.

They aren’t top at the time of writing though, simply due to the fact that Watcombe Wanderers have played two and won two, overcoming Buckfastleigh Rangers and Beesands Rovers on their travels.

Elsewhere in Division One, Mount Gould won at Paignton Villa and Bovey Tracey 2nd XI put in a five-star performance against Signal Box Frankfort, goals coming from Samuel Stowell (two), Cameron Gill, Ben Moyle and substitute Alistair Chuchuk at Mill Marsh Park.

There were some impressive results in the Premier division and none more so than at Osborne Park where Newton Abbot 66 once again got their season off to a winning start.

66 hosted Elburton Villa 2nds and won 3-1, Luke Snell, Jake Cockram and summer signing Jakeb Haywood Cann scoring the goals.

East Allington Utd also got out of the blocks with three points versus Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds via an impressive 3-1 scoreline plus there were top-flight victories for Lakeside Athletic and Ilsington Villa whilst the spoils were shared between Paignton Saints and Kingsteignton Athletic after an eight-goal thriller.

My pick for game of the day was a Division Two clash between Kingskerswell and new boys Tavistock 2nds, who join the league with an impressive CV, played in front of a decent crowd.

It was end-to-end and fairly even for the first 30 mins until the visitors took the lead when a speculative cross to the far post by Daniel Udo evaded Jack Gatting in the Kerswell goal to loop under the bar.

Kerswell were shook into action as a result and despite the best efforts of Ewan Lock in the Tavy goal, they drew level through Kyle Doughty from the penalty spot and then Ashley Grimes headed in the winner.

Just ahead of Kerswell are Galmpton United, thanks to their 3-0 win over Ashburton. Ivybridge Town 2nds had the edge over Paignton Villa 2nds in a five-goal game and Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 victory against Paignton Saints 2nds, Western League player Toby Pullman scoring all five of the goals.

There were three games in Division Three that saw Horrabridge Rangers beaten by Newton 66 2nds, Ipplepen Athletic 2nds defeat Chudleigh Athletic 2nds by a single goal and Kingsteignton 2nds get the better of Newton Rovers on home soil.

You can read about Buckland Athletic 3rd XI’s emphatic win in more detail here but elsewhere in Division Four, Brixham Town 2nds and Signal Box Frankfort drew 4-4 and there were successful weekends for Barton Athletic 2nds, Bere Alston United 2nds and Windmill AFC.

Lastly to the new Division Five where Cameron Davis scored the only goal as Newton Albion beat Broadhempston. Also prevailing were WBB 2nds at Newton Rovers 2nds and Tamerton Foliot over Tavistock AFC 3rds. A goalfest of a second half saw Waldon Athletic 2nds and Paignton Saints 3rds draw 4-4.