New football season begins with a North Devon classic

The whistle has blown for the start of a new season in the North Devon Football League and the traditional curtain-raiser was an absolute classic.

Hosted by Appledore FC, the Albert Beer Memorial Shield treated fans to eight goals and some fabulous attacking football, as Boca Seniors took the main prize with a 5-3 victory over Braunton.

The fixtures are out for the new campaign in the NDFL and, while this is an exciting time of the year for local football, some clubs are in desperate need of new players to ensure they can continue. Bideford AFC 3rds and Dolton Rangers are particularly keen to recruit players, visit the NDFL Facebook page for more information.

The season begins on Saturday, August 12 and there are some cracking ties in the Premier Division, starting with a major test for promoted side Holsworthy 2nds, as they travel to the champions Boca Seniors.

Appledore 2nds, who won the Senior Division, start life in the Premier with a trip to Eastside, while the top Division runners-up from last term, Park United, are at home to Fremington. The final two opening day fixtures will see North Molton 2nds host Appledore 2nds and Shamwickshire Rovers are at home to Braunton.

In the Senior Division, all eyes will be on AFC Dumnonii, as they look for a hat-trick of titles and promotions. The quest begins at home to Ilfracombe Town 2nds. Combe Martin went down from the Premier last season, and they open with a trip to Torridgeside 2nds.

Lynton, another promoted side, travel to Northam Lions, and Bideford 2nds start life in the second tier with a visit to Woolsery. The final games from the Senior Division will take Barum United to Shebbear United and Braunton 2nds to Fremington 2nds.

The Intermediate One and Intermediate Two programme starts on Saturday, August 19, and there are a number of midweek fixtures packed into the summer holidays. Football is back and it is starting with a bang.

The South-West Peninsula League campaign opened with an outstanding result for Torrington, as they recorded the only away victory in the East Division, overpowering a traditionally tough Teignmouth side with a 4-2 triumph.

Tom Davey scored twice for the Mighty Greens and there were further goals from Billy Hinson and Lee Gardener. After the midweek trip to Crediton United, Torrington play their first home game on Saturday, when Bridport are the visitors.

Elsewhere in the SWPL, Bishops Lydeard introduced themselves to a new league with an impressive 4-1 defeat of Dartmouth, while Bridport kicked off with a 3-2 win over Newton Abbot Spurs.

Crediton defeated Stoke Gabriel 2-0, Ivybridge beat Sidmouth and Elburton beat Honiton, both by a score of 3-1. Axminster Town and Bovey Tracey played out a tight 1-1 draw and in the FA Cup, Okehampton Argyle grabbed a late leveller to earn a replay at Brixham.