REFEREE shortages hit home again and it’s the clubs (and the referee secretary) who suffer, reports Alastair Muirden.

It’s incredible to think about the number of games that have been played without a referee on the first two Saturdays of the South Devon Football season.

Well done to all of those who stepped up but the brutal fact is that there are just not enough referees to start with. For any players out there thinking of taking up the whistle and moving over to the dark side, there are tremendous benefits to be had from being part of the SDFL referee group.

For anyone interested, please contact the referee secretary Phil Smith (07974672113) or Richard Mason (01626332077) to become part of the South Devon football family.

Friday night football returned to the Premier Division courtesy of Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds, who opened up their defence of the title with a 1–1 draw against East Allington Utd in front of a decent crowd at The Rec.

Another season opener saw The Windmill and Plymouth True Blues share the points as well, finishing 2-2 at Millbay Park.

Chudleigh Ath will be disappointed in coming away from Coach Road empty-handed in their opening game versus Paignton Saints. A scrappy 1-nil win thanks to a Harvey Veysey tap-in, when John Emery’s shot hit the post and ran along the line, gets Saints off the mark.

Waldon Ath are struggling and their on-field woes continue, this time at the hands of Ilsington Villa who scored eight without reply to stay level at the top with Kingsteignton Ath. Talking of the Rams and they won 5-2 at Totnes and Dartington, a win that gives them a better start than last season.

Buckfastleigh Rangers have had a difficult start and they could not have been relishing the visit of pre-season favourites Lakeside Ath following their defeat on opening day. The Plymouth team won 8–1 to restore some hope that they will be there or thereabouts come May.

A major shock in Division One saw Bovey Tracey AFC lose 5-3 to newly-promoted Barton Ath in a cracking game, Alistair Chuchuk (2) and Owen Coldwell with the goals for the losing Moorlanders.

It is Brixham Town who sit at the top after three games, their latest result a tight 2-1 win over Paignton Villa.

WBB have also had a good start to the season, making it two wins from three in an all-Newton Abbot affair. They put four unanswered goals past a young Buckland Athletic side and the Claymen are keeping pace with the Fishermen as a result.

Beesands Rovers lost their first game of the season with a 4–3 defeat at Watcombe Wanderers in a bruising affair. Sam Pyne, Jaimie Orchard, Oliver Dowell and Frazer Rudge were the target men for the greens.

Mount Gould finally got their league season off to a flyer with a 5-nil win against local rivals Elburton Villa in front of a decent crowd. Bentley Alcantara was on target but it was former True Blue Ray Spear who caught the eye, scoring the other four.

Ivybridge Town are three points clear following a great 6–1 win at Erme Valley against an East Allington 2nd team who will win more than they lose. James Forrest and Oliver Tyson each scored twice and there were singles for Caleb Talliss and Travis Newton.

Paignton Villa 2nds have also had a good start to the new term, scoring 14 goals in three games. This time it was a narrow 3–2 win over Newton Rovers, who occupy the bottom slot at the moment.

Ashburton rose to the test of an unbeaten Drake team, getting on the board with a 7-2 success. James Martin, Alex Hambly, Kameron Pouladdje and Derek Cartmill scored singles whilst there was a hat-trick from Lee Grimshaw.

Other results at this level saw Signal Box beat Paignton Saints 2nds 4-2, Babbacombe Corries smash five past Harbertonford and Upton Athletic overcome Watcombe Wanderers 2nds in a seven-goal thriller.

Division Three is definitely taking shape in line with the bookies' favourites, Kingskerwell continuing to win games as a 4-nil win at South Brent puts them on maximum points from three games.

Galmpton Utd overcame a scare with a 5–4 win over a decent-looking Totnes and Dartington side who have yet to register a point.

Kingsteignton Ath 2nds are keeping pace with the top two, a 7-nil win over Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds with double strikes from Ashley Hayworth, Jasper King and Ashton Hogarth sealed the deal for the young Rams.

Liverton Utd 2nds lost for the first time in a 4–2 win for Newton Abbot 66 2nds at Osbourne Park, goals for Russell Ellis, Daniel Martin, Cody Monk and Will Poundall getting Sixes on the points board for the new term.

Templar Way finally found a way to win again with a 6–1 demolition of Ipplepen Ath 2nds thanks to Chris Bennett, Toto Whittle and Reuben Mantara and I am sure they will win more than they lose again this season.

Only three games went ahead in Division Four, one of which seeing Teign Village match Chudleigh Athletic 2nds as they beat Barton Ath 2nds 4-0.

Elsewhere, Newton Rovers 2nds lost 2-0 at home to Paignton Villa 3rds and Broadhempston scored five to Paignton Saints 3rds’ four at Headlands.

A first Newton Abbot derby of the Premier Division campaign leads the agenda, 66 meeting Spurs at Osborne Park.

Just down the road at Broadpark, Kingsteignton Athletic face East Allington Utd in what is normally a cracking game.

There are plenty of other affairs worth keeping an eye on- all games have a 2.30pm kick-off and all fixtures are available to view on the league’s full-time website.