It's a big derby day in Division One East
Indeed, the clash between third-in-the-table Bovey Tracey and leaders Galmpton Gents at Bovey has that 'Match of the Day' ring about it, with only six points dividing the two and their rivalry stretching back to when both fielded teams in the Premier Division of the South Devon League.
Totnes and Dartington SC's game at home to Liverton United also has its attractions for the neutrals looking for a game to take in, not least with former Torquay United player-coach Russell Musker having made four new signings to strengthen his T& D squad this week.
And Teignmouth against Buckfastleigh Rangers at Coombe Valley is a game where the Teigns will be seeking to exact revenge having lost 2-1 in their first encounter earlier in the season.
However, the game at Bovey Tracey stands out, especially as home manager Cyril Gosling predicts three points for his side - as long as the real Bovey Tracey turn up.
"We haven't played Galmpton for a couple of seasons with them moving up from the South Devon League the season before last, but they're still familiar to us," said Gosling, who admits none of his players want to miss this one.
In fact, he has Lee Pascoe and Ben Head coming back from illness specifically to face Galmpton, but asks that both are honest with themselves when it comes to fitness.
"Both have been unwell, with Pascoe coming back from flu, and I know what the game means to them. However, it's best that they hold their hands up if they're not 100 per cent when we carry out fitness checks," said Gosling.
Bovey are already without central midfielders Dan Taylor (unavailable) and Scott Kaazikmae (suspended), so keep faith with Adam Blackie in place of Taylor while re-shuffling the pack to cover for Kaazikmae's absence.
"Actually, Blackie played in place of Taylor against Plymstock in the Devon Premier Cup last week with tomorrow in mind, so that role is taken care of. Also, we've promoted Shaun Douglas from the reserves to join the squad," said Gosling.
Meanwhile, Galmpton manager Jason Couch describes the tomorrow's game as 'brilliant'.
"It's brilliant that were are playing a local side in this league, and that both are at the top of the table," he said.
"Bovey have a lot of players who've always been capable of playing at this level or above and, like us, they've great team spirit, built by working hard for one another.
"We've had good games against them, including one Herald Cup final which Galmpton won, so it's important we pick the right 11 to start with."
It hasn't escaped Couch's attention that both teams have won games this season with late goals.
"Don't expect too much between the first and 80th minutes, but be on your guard between the 81st and 90th," he warns.
Both striker Shaun Friend and midfielder John Dunn started on the bench last week as Couch and assistant manager Peter Gartrell stuck to a winning line-up for the Devon Premier Cup third round against Alphington.
However, both put forward good cases to be in the starting line-up after effective contributions as substitutes to swing the tie Galmpton's way, so there could be changes with three points and the divisional championship in mind.
TOTNES & Dartington SC's busy excursion in the transfer market has seen three midfielders moving to the Foxhole School Sports Ground, plus the return of goalkeeper Barry Abrahams from Newton Abbot.
Jason Heath has moved from Galmpton Gents, Sean Wright from Stoke Gabriel and Brian Stark from Exmouth Town, although they may have to join the queue ahead of tomorrow's home game with Liverton United.
The temptation to play them straight away is, of course, great, and all have been included in the squad.
Nevertheless, last Saturday's 1-0 winning performance at Axminster in the Devon Premier Cup, was a marked improvement on the previous weekend against Exeter Civil Service, so manager Russell Musker is likely to pin his faith in the same starting line-up, with one exception.
That would be Abrahams taking over the No 1 jersey from Ken Griffiths after the former Torquay United and Hereford goalkeeper replaced Mike Lewis for the last two games against Civil Service and Axminster.
"Ken was brilliant both times, and will stay registered with us," said Musker.
"However, one or two other clubs above our station are interested with Ken having just left Bideford, so I'm expecting him to get fixed up elsewhere pretty soon."
Liverton aren't able to parade any new players, but do have Chris Fisher and Ben Newsom back in midfield as they look to build on last week's 2-1 win at Braunton that took them into the fourth round of the Devon Premier Cup.
"To have Newsom back is a major boost, because he puts so much energy into midfield," said manager Nick Threadgold.
It's also reassuring that Liverton can call on teenagers Jake Ellis and Declan Cassidy to help strengthen the midfield, with both having missed so many league games through county call-ups this season.
"It means we can look to a settled side each week instead of losing two players to Devon Youth on a regular basis," said Threadgold.
Liverton will continue with Ross Bushin and Martin Ware as the main strike force, though Threadgold sees the game being won and lost in midfield.
It's why he's relieved to have Fisher, Newsom, Ellis and Cassidy singing from the same hymn sheet for once.
TEIGNMOUTH have put in a seven day notice of approach for a striker, though the registration won't go through in time for tomorrow's tough assignment at home to Buckfastleigh Rangers.
The move on the part of joint managers Adrian Banning and Mark Jones follows a decision by centre-forward Ashley McDermid to leave Coombe Valley less than a month after signing from Devon and Exeter League side Clyst Valley.
"We respect his decision, because he played three games without scoring a goal, but, frankly, he looked a bit out of his depth," said Banning.
Teignmouth will also be missing Craig Stonelake in midfield through injury, but are at full strength apart from that.
"We still pinch ourselves at not having won some games this season, but at least we've been creating chances. All we need is for someone to stick them away, so perhaps our next signing will be the answer," said Banning.
Buckfastleigh approach the game in a different frame of mind than Teignmouth inasmuch as they believe they've finally nailed a consistent goalscorer.
Former Elburton Villa striker Barry Almond made his debut for Rangers in last week's Devon Premier Cup tie at Old Suttonians, and celebrated with two goals in a clinical 4-1 win over Plymouth and District League opposition.
"He linked up well with Steve Matthews, so we hope that's an end to our problems in front of the opposition's goal," said manager Darren Raven.
Raven has also signed striker Darren Edwards from Elburton while negotiating for Jason Trott to move in the opposite direction, and allowing another striker - Wayne Powney - to move to Mount Gould in the Plymouth and District Combination League.
"Trott couldn't settle with us, and Powney's a postman, who found it difficult making some of our away games," explained Raven, whose side will complete the double if they win after beating Teignmouth 2-1 at the Duckspond earlier in the season.
"Teignmouth are dangerous in the middle of the park where we're going to have to man-mark Geoff Breslan," said Raven.
"However, we've grown in confidence from last week's win, plus there was the two recent games against top sides Galmpton and Stoke Gabriel which we lost but felt we deserved something from."
STOKE GABRIEL return to the scene of last week's 3-1 devastation at Appledore in the third round of the Devon Premier Cup.
This time league points are at stake, and manager Darren Watts has vowed to adopt a less cavalier approach.
"I hold my hand up, and accept responsibility for that defeat," he said.
"I changed my mind when it came to the set-up of our side, and went about it the wrong way. We still dominated the match for 70 minutes, but it all went belly up when they hit us with two quick goals.
"In the end they could have doubled their score without some fantastic saves from goalkeeper Mark Coombe."
Stoke will be less gung-ho this time, though Watts has no intention of changing the personnel.
"Going back the following week gives everyone involved an opportunity to set the record straight almost immediately. But I was to blame for last Saturday, not the players, and we'll be set up differently this time," promised Watts.
"Besides, we can't afford another slip up with so many teams so close together in the league table. We're lying second at the moment, but it changes considerably if we drop three points."
Other games in Division One (East) are at Alphington (Royal Marines), Budleigh Salterton (Exmouth Town), Crediton United (Okehampton Argyle), Exeter Civil Service (Axminster Town) and Ottery St Mary (University of Exeter).
