THE South Devon Football League’s Premier Division finally kicked off a week late due to those county cup games that were brought forward and most were worth the wait.

In what was tipped as the game of the day turned out to be result of the day as Newton Abbot 66 sent Lakeside Athletic back to Plymouth empty-handed in what was only their second league defeat in three seasons.

This was a great game of football and the visitors were, for long periods of the game, the better of the two teams but they could not finish in front of goal and 66 did what they do best. They soaked up the pressure, played a lot of long balls and scored two goals against the run of play.

Lakeside got themselves frustrated and it clearly affected their performance, Callum Foskett and Callum Crotty scoring the goals for Sixes to give them a 2–1 home win to kick off their league season.

And a special mention for man of the match Marc Graham who not only organised the Sixes defence when they were under pressure, he lifted the whole team to up their game. Not bad for a player north of fifty.

However, it is Kingsteignton Athletic who sit at the top after game one thanks to a belting 6-nil win over Waldon Athletic. Tom Reeves, Sam Morgan, Archie Law and Dan Rankin got singles plus Mathew Elmore scored a brace to set the Rams on their way.

Elsewhere, Plymouth True Blues won 4-2 at Totnes & Dartington whilst new signing Callum Noyce scored to help Ilsington Villa to a 2-1 victory over Paignton Saints.

Beesands Rovers still lead this pack but were held to a 2 – 2 draw by Elburton Villa 2nd XI at Haye Road

Brixham Town got their season up and running at the second time of asking, a 5–1 win against Newton Spurs 3rds is a good result in anybody's book. Tom Kelly, Macualey Dallow, Mark Griffiths and Lewis Booth were on target for the Fishermen.

One of the pre-season promotion favourites are Bovey Tracey 2nd XI and an opening 4–1 win versus Watcombe Wanderers has got John Fleet’s side up and running for what could be a good season.

Buckland Athletic also had a win on their opening day, beating an experienced Liverton Utd team who already have 3 points on the board 2-1 to leave pre-season worries in the rearview mirror.

WBB had to work hard for their 1-nil win at Paignton Villa but it gets points on the board for the Claymen all the same, in what looks like it will be a tight division.

In Division Two, Ashburton had a reminder that the higher you go the tougher it gets. They let a lead slip to lose at the hands of visiting Pirates in the form of East Allington Utd 2nds by four goals to three, whereas it’s Drake FC and Ivybridge Town who lead the pack in the early weeks.

New boys Signal Box had a shock defeat last week but put that well behind them, scoring eight goals without reply against Newton Rovers. Jake Cribb and Joe Haslem both hit hat tricks with Ben Wildman and Connor Brandon scoring one each.

The final game in this division had a late twist before it kicked off. Both Paignton Villa and Upton Athletic arrived at Churston Grammar School only to find the pitch had not been marked out,

Now they could have all spent the afternoon in the Weary Ploughman enjoying some autumnal sunshine but Jasmine Norton was having none of it. A couple of phone calls and off they all drove to Stoke Gabriel TP to get the game played on their second pitch.

After all of that, Upton may have wished that they had stayed in the Ploughman as they lost 11-nil with Alex Narvidge netting four and Ashley Beetschen hitting a hat trick. Now that’s grassroots football and well done to both clubs for making it all happen.

Division Three is going to be a good competition and is already shaping up as such with seven teams having points on the board- the other five need to find a result before the distance opens up.

Templar Way are the big surprise team, after such a good season last term, they have lost their opening two fixtures. This time it was to Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds by three goals to two, thanks to strikes from Ashley Heyworth, Finley Lumgair and Jack Lee.

Liverton Utd are the early pace setters and a 4–1 home win versus Totnes and Dartington 2nds with goals from Oliver West, Kye Graham and Simon Ross overshadowed the fact that they played the last 20 minutes with 10 players.

Kingskerswell remain neck and neck at the top following a 6-nil win at Ipplepen Athletic and since they reformed, they’ve now won 23 games on the bounce.

Division Four is also shaping up to be a tight division with eight of the eleven teams having points on the board.

Chudleigh Athletic 2nds lead the pack with their second win of the season. a 5-1 win at Bakers Park versus Newton Rovers is a comprehensive win and no doubt sends a message to the other teams.

There were also wins for Waldon Athletic 3rds and Kingsbridge & Kellaton United, plus Paignton Villa 3rds and Brixham Town 2nds shared the points White Rock.

In the county cups, there was more success for South Devon football teams playing delayed fixtures. Windmill FC travelled to Ottery St Mary (step seven) and East Allington Utd had a day out in Winkleigh (Exeter), both steering themselves into round two.

Newton Spurs 2nd XI also advance although they didn’t even have to play to do so. They were set to welcome Buckfastleigh Rangers to The Rec but ended up with a home walkover instead.

Talking of The Rec and if you are looking for a football fix before Saturday, the first Friday night game of the season kicks off at 7.15 right there. Spurs will take on East Allington Utd in the opening Premier Division game for both teams.

Then, on the Saturday, Kingsteignton Athletic will be looking to remain at the summit of the top flight when they visit Totnes & Dartington at Foxhole.

All games have a 2.30pm kick-off and all fixtures are available to view on the league’s full-time website.