BC East Allington V Buckfastleigh Rangers 13th May 2023

[Dave]

Match Referee Nigel Lawrence

Referee Assistants Terry Rogers & Conor Morgan

Final Score East Allington United 1 Buckfastleigh Rangers 2

Match Preview

With the entire group games in the Belli Cup now completed, it is time for the semi –finals to take place. While I have covered games this season featuring both clubs, it is a very long time since I last watched an East Allington home game.

It must be over fifteen years ago now since I went to watch my son play against them and I remember the day so well. Both sets of players having to change in the village hall then walk a good way to the pitch they played on then. East Allington had one very well known player back then and he was the big difference between the two sides that day.

I have been watching local football for over sixty years now and during that time I have seen so many good clubs fold and disappear for ever. I personally think we are lucky to have so many village clubs survive and still running today. They all face even bigger problems as far as player recruitment is concerned due to their location. East Allington was formed way back in 1953 and has two sides playing in the South Devon League, what an achievement.

Buckfastleigh Rangers were formed in the very early 1900’s and until 1960 shared the Recreation Ground with the cricket and rugby club. But the cricket club then purchased the Rec and Rangers moved to the Duckpond ground. In the early 80’s a collapsed water culvert meant the club had to seek temporary accommodation for three seasons.

Rangers have spent most of their life playing in the SDFL and made history in the 1980’s when they installed floodlights up to match standard at the Duckpond. The club also boasts a large clubhouse that regularly hosts weekend entertainment. The club as been hosts to league clubs including Torquay United, Plymouth Argyle, Watford F.C and Leyton Orient.

How did both clubs reach the semi-final?

I was very surprised to see the Fulltime website shows East Allington as only playing just one group stage match and that was against Paignton Saints 2nd at home on the 25th March, a game they won by four goals to two.

Their away tie against WBB on the 4th March shows they were awarded an away walkover. But I covered that game and WBB won it by three goals to two. I am not sure why the game ended up being awarded to East Allington, WBB might have broken some rule or other. They were also awarded an away walkover for their game against Brixham AFC 2nd on the 1st April. They final group match should have taken place at home on the 8th April against Ivybridge 2nd and they were awarded a home walkover. As a result they finished top of group A on twelve points. ( I asked today about the other two games, it seems they did take place but both teams broke some rule as well)

Buckfastleigh on the other hand have had to play a total of five group games. On the 4th March they faced Waldon Athletic 1st away and won the game by two goals to nil. Next up on the 11th March they were at home against Chudleigh Athletic 1st and won that game by three goals to one.

On the 8th April they were well beaten away to Newton 66 by five goals to one. But they got back to winning ways in the cup on the 15th April beating Elburton Villa 2nd by six goals to one. Their final group match was also at home against Kingsteignton Athletic which they lost by three goals to two. The end result saw Rangers finish in 2nd place in the group B table on nine points.

The two teams have met twice in the league this season, Rangers were at home on the 22nd October and beat United by five goals to nil. But on the reverse fixture played on the 2nd May, United won the game by three goals to one.

The winners will meet the winners of the other semi final also being played today between Kingsteignton Athletic and Watts Blake & Bearne. May the best team win.

Have you joined the Davesworld South Devon Football Facebook Page yet?

www.facebook.com/groups/837956497234326

You can now also follow Davesworld on twitter @ DavesworldR1

Match report.


memo for self, when you dive past loads of signs informing you the road is closed past Harbertonford, it means for me as well. I ignored them all at my peril and had to turn back and trust the satnav when it told me to take a lane back in Harberford. To be fair it got me to the ground but I made sure I came home by going to Loddiswell and back to Paignton that way.

First thing to say what a great set up East Allington enjoy these days, the pitch looked perfect and it puts to shame some of the pitches Torbay Council expect clubs in the Bay to play on.

The sun was blazing high in the sky which is not the best conditions for sports photography, but I got by and enjoyed a cracking cup game between two very good sides. To be honest the game could have gone either way there was nothing to choose between them.

It must be the first game I have covered where not a single card was shown to any player by the match referee. A few came close to being sent to the sin bin mind you. Nigel Lawrence did a first class job in the middle and was always fully in control of the game.

The match referee got the game underway and it started at a frantic pace as both teams look to get a foot hold in the match. It was end with the first real shot on goal coming from East Allington’s Fin Bullen from the edge of the Buck’s box. His effort was on target but was well held by Tim Mason in goal for the Bucks.

Both teams were a bit guilty of looking for the long balls that were not coming off for either team. The Pirates Rob Tapper hit a good shot from the edge of the box that was also well held by the keeper.

Buck’s Tom Moody was presented with an excellent chance to give his side the lead after being played into the box on a one on one with the keeper. But he hit his shot straight at the keeper, either side and it would have hit the back of the net.

Fin Bullen was working hard up front for the Pirates and hit a shot from 25 yards out that sailed over the crossbar. He came ever so close when he received a ball into his feet from the right hand side of the pitch. He got a good shot away that sadly for him hit the left hand post and stayed out.

There was a big shout for a Bucks penalty, but my photos clearly show a Pirates defender clearly won the ball with his head.

The Pirates won a corner and Matt Bodman rose well and got a good head on the ball that only just cleared the crossbar. A great through ball played in Bucks Steve Sutton who got a good shot away that hit the left hand post and stayed in play.

With almost the very last kick of the first half Bucks Charlie Morgan put his side in front, hitting a low powerful shot into the back of the net. Not the time any team wants to concede a goal, but the Pirates still had forty five minutes to put it right.

The second half got underway and the Bucks came close to adding to their first half lead from a corner. The ball was fired high towards the back post and a Pirates defender did so well to stop a certain goal heading the ball away to safety.

From just inside the left hand side of the Pirates box, Bucks Russell Jones got a good shot away that was well held by Richard Teague.

The Pirates finally got their reward for all their hard work when Fen Bullen got his side back onto level terms. It was a well taken goal as the ball was coming across him he hooked a right foot shot at goal. The keeper did get something on it but could not prevent the ball hitting the back of the net.

I felt myself at this stage of the match the score at one all was just about right and it was imposable to predict which team would get the next goal. Without one the game would have gone to extra time and even penalties.

Bucks brought on sixteen year old Ben Newton, what a great player this young man his. He went on a fine run down the left hand side, moved into the box and hit a great shot that only just went wide of the far post.

Fin Bullen was a bit surprised when a long ball somehow got through to him. He got a shot away from the edge of the box that was well saved by the legs of Tim Mason. Up the other end a good Bucks move played in Steve Sutton who also forced the keeper to save with his legs. Steve followed this up with a shot from the edge of the box forcing Richard Teague into making another good save.

Football often comes down to fine margins and the Pirates were so unlucky not to take the lead in the match. Fin Bullen hit a wonder shot from the edge of the box that had goal written all over it. But the ball smashed against the crossbar and on another day would have gone in.

A Pirates player went down in his own box and required treatment. Young Ben Newton was very close to me and his dad was beside me. His dad told him if you do not score today he would not be getting any tea tonight.

Ben was clearly hungry and burst into the Pirate box from the left hand side and hit a powerful left footed shot past the keeper into the back of the net. I said to his dad that had to we worth steak and chips at least.

That was the last real effort of goal for either side and the Bucks were the team to reach the cup final. The Pirates can feel very proud for all the effort they put into the game, as I said it could have gone either way.

Very pleased to see Watts Blake & Bearne beat Kingsteignton in the other semi final today, the final should be another cracking game.

Many thanks to both clubs for all your help today and making me so welcome, it means so much to me. Thanks as always to Nigel Lawrence, it is always a pleasure to meet up with you.