SIXTEEN games survived another soggy Saturday in the South Devon Football League and the last unbeaten record in the Premier Division was blown away, writes Alastair Muirden.

They say that the sign of a good team is retaining a title. If that is true then Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds took a giant step towards that target by inflicting the first loss of the season for Windmill FC, (full match report with photos on Davesworld).

A 2–1 win for the home team thanks to goals from Jacob Wales and Aiden Blackie has Spurs well placed in third, just two points behind The Windmill and seven points off the lead with three games in hand.

Plymouth True Blues continue to set the pace but once again it was no easy afternoon, they were made to work for the points in a close 2–1 victory at Coach Road in the sunshine. Whilst the result leaves Paignton Saints down in eighth place, they are only four points off of third with a lot of football to be played.

East Allington Utd extended their good form with a comprehensive 4–1 win versus a good Kingsteignton Athletic side. The result moves thePpirates into fourth place with a positive goal difference and incredibly, leaves the Rams third from bottom and needing to get their season back on track possibly next week at the Windmill.

Only two league games went ahead in Division One and Beesands Rovers jumped three places with a 2–1 home win over Buckland Athletic with goals from Adam Winkworth and Brad Williams.

Paignton Villa also won by the same scoreline, beating Watcombe Wanderers thanks to strikes from Seb Knight and Sam Omara. The result puts Villa up into second place in a very open competition.

In Division Two, the grounds teams must have been on overtime as we had an almost full program of fixtures.

Result of the day must surely go to Babbacombe Corries who won 8–1 in a second versus third game against Ivybridge Town at their new home in Long Lane, Corries remain one of only three unbeaten teams in all divisions and move a point ahead of their rivals with three games in hand.

Ashburton are also in good form and a 3-2 home win versus Harbertonford with goals from Derek Cartmill, Brandon Hext and Kameron Pouladdej keeps them well placed to challenge for honours.

Signal Box Oak Villa continue to lead the division by two points from Corries but they have played a game more. A 5-3 win versus Paignton Villa 2nds with goals from Callum Austin, Joseph Haslam, Keiron Roberts and regular target man Jordan Rickards (2) keeps the Plymouth based side on top for now.

The game of the day in this division had to be the basement battle at Armada Park where Upton Athletic faced Newton Rovers who had not won this season until today, 4-2 to Rovers was the final score in a game that could have ended 6–6. Regardless, this takes Rovers out of the bottom three for the first time this season and gives them some confidence moving forward.

In Division Three, Kingskerswell overcame another hurdle towards the divisional winners trophy, a 6–1 success at Waldon Athletic keeps them three points clear at the top with a game in hand and looking unstoppable for another season.

The points difference could have been more had it not been for a last minute penalty at Osborne Park for second placed Galmpton Utd. They looked to be heading for their first loss of the season when Newton Abbot 66 came from a goal down to take the lead and hold on to it until the 96th minute, when a poor challenge in the 66 penalty box gave the visitors the chance to save the day. They duly accepted after the keeper saved the kick and Martin Luker was the first to get to the rebound.

The final score was 2–2, Callum Foskett and Keegan Cooper were on target for Sixes.

Totnes and Dartington 2nds picked up a good point in their game with Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds, this also ended 2–2 which keeps Tots on the bottom but just one point from mid-table, where the Rams sit at present.

In Division Four, a single goal from Charlie Potter separated Bere Alston Utd from Brixham Town 2nds and moves them into second place, one point ahead of Teign Village but having played three more games.

Chudleigh Athletic remain eight points clear at the top and did not play this week.

Four of the bottom five played and only Paignton Saints 3rds went home without any point., A 3–2 win for neighbours Paignton Villa 3rds moves them up three places and seven points clear of the wooden spoon.

Meanwhile, Broadhempston Utd and Kingsbridge & Kellaton Utd fought out a 2–2 draw in a soggy affair, Stuart Hannay and Daniel Wells were the target men for the Robins.

All eyes will be on the Premier Division this time around, where there are some early Christmas treats to be had in the form of some great fixtures all worth a watch.

Plymouth True Blues host Lakeside Athletic in an intriguing derby game whilst the other Plymouth-based team, Windmill, host Kingsteignton Ath who came very close to winning the home game a few weeks ago. The Rams will be hoping to bring something in the form of points back up the A38.

Newton Abbot Spurs face an Ilsington Villa team that have a bit of catching up to do plus add in the fact that Spurs pipped them for the title back in May, adding some festive spice to the game.

Totnes and Dartington host Chudleigh Ath in a must not lose game at the wrong end of the table and at Coach Road, Paignton Saints welcome East Allington Utd where both teams could jump into the top five with a win.

The final Premier Division fixture is at Buckfastleigh Rangers who face a Newton Abbot 66 team looking to bounce back and cement their position in the top three whilst the home team just need that first win.