Post by Dave on Jul 23, 2022 7:47:52 GMT
Match Referee Liam chick
Final Score Watcombe Wanderers 2 Heavitree United 1
Match Preview
While I understand the reasons why the Devon League was formed, I must be honest and say I am not a big fan of it. Mainly because it robbed the South Devon Football League of a number of its best clubs which did damaged that league.
But some clubs soon realised after joining the new Devon League just how much extra travailing they would have to do and the entire extra costs that entailed. As a result a number of clubs ended up dropping back down to the South Devon League and at least one club folded completely that I can think of.
But before the Devon League was founded there was very little chance of any South Devon League clubs progressing up the football ladder, hardly any pitches that would ever have been suitable for a move up to the Peninsula League.
Back then clubs like Watcombe Wanderers, Waldon and Upton Athletic, the big boys of the South Devon League, all had dreams of playing at a higher level. To help fulfil Watcombes dream the club moved from the King George playing field in Torquay to Long Lane Haccombe, the former home of Buckland & Milber.
The club made so many improvements to the ground and moved up to the Devon League. But they found it impossible to compete with the clubs who were paying their players, plus the players understandably did not like all the travelling involved. As a direct result Watcombe pulled their first team out of the Devon League.
While it has been good to see teams return to the South Devon League from the Devon League, to booster numbers the league has let a number of Plymouth teams join it, which in my view is likely to cause problems for many clubs.
Watcombe Wanderers were formed in 2008, but their opponents today have a very long history and were formed way back in 1885. (From Wikipedia) United played at various locations in and around Heavitree Park until World War II. Around 1950, they moved to Wingfield Park. Playing in local leagues until 1976 and attracting crowds of up to 5,000, they moved up from the Devon and Exeter League to the new First Division of the Western League for the 1976–77 season.
Heavitree never managed to gain promotion to the Premier Division, and usually struggled in the First, their best finish being 10th in 1985–86.They finished bottom in their first season and in 1991–92, and again in 1998–99, after which the club dropped down to the Devon County League.
The club found little success at this lower level, although they finished fourth in 2000–01. Heavitree dropped down a further level in 2004 when they left the Devon County League and merged with Heavitree Social Club F.C. in the Devon and Exeter League.
This is my first visit to this ground, I grew up on Buckland and we would play in the first field on Long Lane when I was a young boy. It was owned by Centrax and was used for football matches by them.
Match Report
My faith in the South Devon League was fully restored today, but more importantly my willingness to continue to cover games this season in this league. That is all down to Watcombe Wanderers football club and more importantly Mr Garry R Bridger who went far beyond the call of duty for a preseason game and created a team sheet for me with both sets of players listed along with the correct shirt numbers. I must also thank the management of Heavitree United for all their help today.
What a great set up at Long Lane and Watcombe should be very proud for all their hard work they have put into their ground. I left after the game feeling so happy and pleased I covered their game today, this is how local football should make you feel.
The match referee the one and only Liam Chick got the game underway and for a good part of the first half, it was clear to see this was Heavitree United’s first preseason game of the season. Watcombe who have already played a few preseason games were faster out of the blocks and well in control.
It was no real surprise when they look an early lead, Harry Gouldthorpe played a low ball into the Heavitree box from the left hand side and Charlie Uniacke hit a first time shot into the back of the net.
Heavitree’s Taylor Murphy received a long pass just outside the right hand side of the Watcombe box, but his effort was wild and flew well wide of the target.
Watcombe then added to their lead when a Heavitree defender handled the ball inside the box, Steeve Yava placed the ball on the spot and sent Dean Randell in goal for Heavitree the wrong way.
Watcombe thought they had scored again when Charlie Uniacke got on the end of a through ball and raced into the right hand side of the box, he beat the keeper but he ended up being ruled offside.
Heavitree were starting to play better and their danger man Taylor Murphy came close to pulling a goal back for his side. He turned neatly just inside the left hand side of the Watcombe box and hit a powerful low shot that only just went wide of the far post.
The Watcombe keeper Conner Rowlands was forced into making a fine save, he beat the ball away but it fell kindly to Heavitree’s number 15 ( not listed on team sheet) but his snap shot was also well saved.
That was it for the first half but Heavitree had grown into the game and were looking a much better side than the one that started.
The second half got underway and from the off Watcombe’s Oli Crosby-Hawkins had a chance to add to his sides lead, but he hooked his effort over the crossbar.
From a corner Heavitree came so close to getting their first goal, but somehow the Watcombe defence managed to prevent the ball from going over the goal line and finally were able to clear the ball out of their box.
Watcombe’s keeper was forced into making another fine save from a shot by Ryan Murthy, he once again beat the ball away and it was met by Liam Smith who lifted his effort high over the crossbar.
Heavitree were knocking on the door and were enjoying their best spell of the match. Taylor Murphy from just inside the right hand side of the Watcombe box hit a good low shot across the keeper that only just went wide of the left hand post.
He then turned over twenty yards out and hit another powerful shot that only just cleared the crossbar. Then another chance came his way, this time just outside the box that also just went wide of the left hand post.
But like all good strikers he kept going and finally got the reward he deserved, he was played into the box on a one on one with the keeper and coolly picked his spot. It was no more than he deserved and his team.
Watcombe won the first half and Heavitree the second one, but they were unable to find that second goal. A great game to watch and two great sets of lads who were a pleasure to talk too. Both sides on today’s evidence should do well this season.Many thanks for having me. Garry R Bridger must have thought I was looking a bit thin and made sure I ate some of the wonderful food he had prepared before I left, did not tell her indoors but it was a struggle eating my tea when I got home lol
