DAWLISH OFF THE BOTTOM RUNG

Snow and Jack Frost cut back the programme

STITCH2PRINT DEVON & EXETER LEAGUE

Jack Frost and snow took a massive slice out of the Leagues penultimate 2022 programme with several divisions completely obliterated. With England facing their world cup showdown against France later in the evening not too many minded but there was still plenty of action in some places apart from at Witheridge. The Edge Down ground is a base for the Devon Air Ambulance in emergency calls but on friday evening it broke down after landing, and the engineer was unable to get there until saturday so the home game v Broadclyst was called off. In addition there was a heavy snowfall just to make sure.

PREMIER ACTION

Three matches survived in Premier and saw the University consolidate second place with a 2-0 win at home to a good Sidmouth Town side. Colyton won their big East Devon derby 2-1 at Lyme Regis after going behind, and move up to third just a point adrift of the college.

However it was wooden spoonists Dawlish United who stole the show. The Sandy Lane team won 3-1 at home to Clyst Valley who prior to kick off were occupying second place after their excellent November form. Victory for Dawlish takes them up two slots.

SENIOR ACTION
DIVISIONS 1-4

Senior football saw both Divisions One and Three wiped out and the only survivor in Division Two was at Exmouth Spartans where they got the better of Westexe Park Rangers 2-0. The win move Spartans up to third place, but they are still some way back from leaders St Martins and Exeter University.

Division Four would have seen four games take place but in reality only one of the four was completed and that was at Budleigh Salterton where visitors Alphington ran out winners 6-3.
Otherwise leaders East Budleigh had hoped to extend their leadership with a victory at Uplyme but the match was abandoned after 40 just minutes due to misconduct with the score standing at 1-1.
The matches at Exeter United v Dawlish United, and St Thomas Social Club v Culm United were also postponed with Dawlish unable to raise a side and Culm unable to travel due to the weather.

INTERMEDIATE ROUND UP
DIVISIONS 5-8

Just one match was played in Division Five at Teign Village where they were beaten 2-0 by the University.
Axmouth United travelled to nearby Millwey Rise but the referee considered the ground too dangerous and would not start it.

The two matches played in Division Six were both in Exeter, and saw possible title contenders City Raiders win 4-1 against Cheriton Fitzpaine, and Central edge city rivals Beacon Knights 2-1.

Just one game played in Division Seven and that was at the University where they were able to field a strong team to overrun Westexe Park Rangers 13-1.

So most action came in Division Eight with three matches producing an aggregate of 23 goals. Leaders Ex Dons were in seventh heaven against Bow AAC without reply, Starcross Dons had a field day winning 9-1 at home to Farway United who in fairness struggled to get a team together. Then South Zeal United coming away from Lympstone as 5-1 winners but Lympstone contributing a couple of own goals.

LATE NEWS from Witheridge. The Devon Air Ambulance was up and away by around 2.30pm on saturday.

Sunday 11th December 2022