The South-West Peninsula League football season is underway and it could have gone better for East Devon clubs, as Honiton and Sidmouth suffered defeats on the road and Axminster were held at home.
The Hippos of Honiton travelled to Elburton Villa in Plymouth and, like all south-west sporting fixtures on the weekend, Storm Antoni made it a very blustery affair. In truth, the conditions won the battle in a scrappy opening 45 minutes.
Elburton were the first to finally find some rhythm, grabbing the lead on the hour and Honiton were 2-0 down just three minutes later, when Luke Brown neatly rounded the goalkeeper for an assured finish in the wind.
The Hippos did pull one back with ten minutes remaining but a second from Brown confirmed a 3-1 defeat, and down the road in Ivybridge, Sidmouth Town also slumped to a 3-1 loss.
All was looking well for the Vikings when Liam Carey calmly slotted a penalty on ten minutes but the Ivies are perennial challengers in the SWPL, and they proved that pedigree with a stirring fightback. A goal from Jake Lane and Luke Forward’s double condemned Sidmouth to defeat.
Axminster Town hosted Bovey Tracey in a clash between two of the stronger sides in the division last term. Youngster James Watts-Barciela gave Bovey the lead with a prodded finish on 36 minutes but Axminster replied almost immediately through Joe Charles, and it stayed at 1-1.
Bishops Lydeard enjoyed a fine introduction to SWPL fixture, as they overpowered Dartmouth with a 4-1 win, and there was a great result for Torrington, who triumphed 4-2 at Teignmouth. Bridport edged past Newton Abbot Spurs, 3-2, and Crediton were efficient in their 2-0 defeat of Stoke Gabriel.
In the FA Cup, a late equaliser earned Okehampton Argyle a replay at Brixham but there was disappointment for Exmouth Town, who bowed out of the competition with a 2-1 loss at Falmouth Town.
Bideford and Barnstaple both progressed in the FA Cup, beating Wellington and Saltash respectively. Willand Rovers sadly exited after a 3-1 defeat at Helston but there was better news for Tiverton Town in the Southern League, as they fought back from 2-0 down at home to Basingstoke to draw 2-2, thanks to goals from Dylan Jones and River Allen.
Pictures from Andrew Symonds
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