The game at Duckspond started brightly with both sides having a chance in the opening exchanges. It was Village, though, that got the opener after ten minutes when a mistake in the Rangers defence handed a glorious chance to left winger Shaun Wills, who capitalised and gave his side the lead. 1-0.
As the rain drove down, Rangers drove on and created the better of the chances in the remainder of the half. Martin Potter was inches off bringing the sides level, but couldn’t quite reach Gavin Hamm’s superb left wing cross that was placed perfectly between the Village keeper and defence. However they escaped and then restricted Rangers to further unsuccessful chances for Declan Cowley and Hamm. Cowley picked up a harsh booking for an unavoidable foul and Rangers went in behind.
Rangers started the second half promisingly as they forced a succession of corners and increasing pressure on the Village defence, despite this, Rangers failed to take advantage of their relentless pressure and were reduced to long range efforts as the determined Village defence failed to crack. Village were penned into their own half and defended resiliently. Still Rangers couldn’t make the breakthrough. As Rangers pressed further and defenders became attackers; Village created three or four breakaway chances and their number ten squandered a couple of glorious chances. It stayed 1-0 until roughly two minutes left on the referee’s watch when left back Darren Greep found fellow defender Mick Howells, who pumped the ball forward. Finally the Village defence cracked as one of the defenders could only head the ball up and behind him. Substitute Josh Hannaford pounced and found the net with a good strike and in the process was taken out by the Village keeper. 1-1. It was a small price to pay as the equaliser pushed Rangers on in search of all three points and more high balls were played into the Village area, but none of them paid off and both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils. Final score 1-1.

29/08/09 Kingsbridge & Kellaton 4 - 1 Buckfastleigh Rangers res

Rangers' young side continued to learn valuable lessons as the lost 4-1 at Kinsbridge and Kellaton.
Manager Martyn Potter was delighted with his teams work rate and attitude and is confident that his inexperienced side will only get better as the season goes on, but they must learn to take their chances when presented to them and cut out the little mistakes that are costing them goals.
Rangers goalscorer was stand-in striker Gareth Burton from the penalty spot.

05/09/09 Buckfastleigh Rangers res 1 - 3 Paignton Villa res

Uncharacteristic mistakes from Rangers led to their first home defeat and left them with only one point from a possible nine.
Villa scored their first only a few minutes into the game after Rangers’ keeper Gareth Burton misjudged a left wing cross and Villa’s Callaghan was left with a tap in from a yard into an empty net.
Rangers pushed on and created a few decent chances; with the likes of Chris Bailey who beat the offside trap from a free kick and headed narrowly over from ten yards. Also Ricky Clanford failed to connect with a Martin Potter cross and Rangers were unlucky to still be trailing. Burton then atoned for his earlier error and tipped over a superb strike from the edge of the box.
Both sides had a few more half chances but could not increase the overall goal count. Rangers had been the better side, but still went in trailing.

Buckfastleigh came out all guns blazing in the second half and were level within a minute. A sweeping passing move involving Declan Cowley, Bailey and Josh Hannaford finished with the latter being slipped through the Villa defence by Bailey and Hannaford finished calmly, 1-1.
This sparked a bombardment of the Villa defence and Rangers could have taken the lead only a couple of minutes later when Potter cut in from the left and hit a shot that struck the keepers near post with him beaten. Hannaford tried following up the shot off the woodwork, but could not quite reach it. If luck was on their side and Potter’s shot had of gone in you feel Rangers would have won convincingly with the way they were playing. Rangers continued to pressurise the Villa defence and forced a succession of corners in a small space of time, but still could not find that leading goal. Then against the run of play completely, Villa retook the lead only ten minutes after Rangers’ equaliser. Rangers conceded a free kick forty yards from their goal on the left. The ball was floated in and ricocheted around in the area as Rangers failed to clear their lines. It eventually dropped to Callaghan who had another simple finish from six yards. The goal stood despite protests of a foul on Matt Grute in the build up. 2-1.
Only a short time later Rangers went 3-1 down when Welbourne scored a free kick from thirty yards that dipped just under Burton’s crossbar.
Rangers’ heads had dropped by this time after being by far the better side and still trailing 3-1. Despite defending solidly for the rest of the game Rangers could not score and sent on Daniel Leaver, Danny Beer and Josh Lewis for Hannaford, Bailey and Clanford respectively. The game fizzled out after that and both sides could not add to their goal tally and it finished 3-1 with Rangers disappointed not to take something from the game.

19/09/09 Bishopsteignton Utd 5 - 0 Buckfastleigh Rangers Res

Rangers slipped to their heaviest defeat of the season at the hands of very good Bishopsteignton side that remain at the top of the league. Rangers arrived in the warm sunshine, and certainly held their own against the league favourites in the opening exchanges. Bishops started to take control of the game, but struggled and could not find an opener as the Rangers defence battled strongly. They had a big slice of luck fairly early on as a Bishops corner seemed to be forced over the line, however keeper Tim Mason had the ball in his hands and the ‘goal’ did not stand. Bishops passing was starting to come off to good effect and was starting to take its toll on the Rangers players.
Rangers held their own until midway through the first half as midfielder Chadwick got the first of his hat trick from six yards and smashed the ball home. He got his second later on in the half as Rangers struggled failed to create any real clear cut chances. Midfielder Nigel Stevens had the best Rangers chance of the first half after a lay off from Ricky Clanford, but he scooped his shot over. Palmer scored his first and Bishop’s third minutes before half time as they dominated. He drilled his shot over Mason in goal and into the top corner.
The second half started much of the same as Bishop’s superb passing game demonstrated their quality and tired out Rangers, often leaving them chasing shadows. Further chances were created and Mason made a few good saves as Bishops dominated. It took a while for the lead to increase and when it did it was Chadwick who completed his hat trick against an ever tiring Rangers defence. The best chance of the game for Rangers fell to substitute Paul England who fired his shot wide when well placed. It was not to be for Rangers who did not let their heads drop but conceded again when substitute Blade added a fifth late on. Rangers tried to create further chances for a consolation goal, but could not create anything that would harm the Bishop’s defence and it finished 5-0.

26/09/09 Bovey Tracey res 0 - 5 BuckfastleighRangers res

In very hot and sticky conditions, Rangers comprehensively recorded their first win of the season; a result that put them up into fifth place. The game started very poorly for Rangers who found it difficult to make their passing stick. Bovey had the better of the opening exchanges as Rangers could not find their rhythm. Bovey had a couple of decent chances as keeper Tim Mason’s kick fell straight to a Bovey player 30 yards out with the goal gaping and Chris Bailey produced a superb block to stop the goal bound shot. Rangers were forced into a change as Danny Beer had to leave the field through injury. His replacement Ricky Clanford slotted straight onto the right-hand side of midfield. Shortly after this Rangers started to find more rhythm in their passing and were beginning to test the Bovey defence. The opener came 30 minutes into the game and was a superb breakthrough. Nigel Stevens managed to head down a free kick into the path of Nathan Parsons who hit a stunning left footed half volley into the stanchion in the goal. It was his first of the season and will not score another as good as that for a while! 1-0.
Rangers doubled their advantage five minutes later with another good goal. This time Declan Cowley played the ball down the right wing to the impressive Parsons and his accurate low cross found Josh Hannaford whose strike beat the Bovey keeper and brought Hannaford to three goals so far for the season. 2-0. Rangers had really taken a strangle hold of the game and we tormenting the Bovey defence. It stayed 2-0 until half times and both teams would have been glad for the break in difficult conditions.
After the break Bovey continued to test Mason in the Rangers goal but his handling from corners especially and shot stopping was faultless and Bovey were frustrated. His clean sheet showed how well he had played. James Ellis came on in the second half replacing one of the scorers Hannaford who had worked hard all match. Not long later Ellis made a huge impression on the match and got Rangers’ third after Martin Potter’s shot was parried by the Bovey keeper and Ellis’ sweet strike made it 3-0.
Rangers were dominant now as Parsons could have and should have added to his goal tally for the day, but could not take his chances. Martin Potter also hit a post along with Cowley as Rangers threatened a trouncing. Potter then made up for his earlier miss as he got the fourth and fifth as Rangers saw the game out well. His second and Rangers’ fifth came after a superb mazy run from Matt Grute who found Potter wide on the right. He then played an intricate ‘one, two’ and was left with a one on one and finished with ease. It capped of a very good display by Rangers who after this will certainly be up for the away trip to Dittisham next week.

03/10/09 Dittisham Utd 1 - 2 Buckfastleigh Rangers Res

Rangers arrived in Dittisham in a confident mood following their first win of the season with the trouncing of Bovey Tracey; searching for their first away points of the campaign. The conditions and the pitch were unfavourable to Rangers who are used to vast amounts of room on their Duckspond pitch and struggled to cope with the narrow windy pitch in Dittisham. It was the home side who had the better of the opening exchanges with the Rangers defence struggling to deal with the swirling wind and Utd soon took the lead. The ball ricocheted along the Rangers area and was stabbed home at the far post, leaving Tim Mason stranded. 1-0.
After that Rangers found it difficult to escape their own half after a succession of throw-ins against the wind made it difficult to clear their lines. However once they found their rhythm, Rangers started to expose the frail Utd defence and were finding space in behind the back line. Nathan Parsons had a few decent chances but could not find his goal scoring form that served him well last week. Rangers’ main threat in the difficult first half was Josh Hannaford’s long throw-ins that were causing constant problems for the Utd defence. Rangers had more decent chances through Martin Potter and Nigel Stevens whose effort was inadvertently blocked by one of his teammates. None of the chances were taken though as Rangers went into the interval trailing.
The second half started positively as the Utd defence was regularly exposed and the visitors were getting closer to scoring as Utd found it difficult like Rangers in the first half to get out of their own half. The equaliser came after Potter chipped over a static backline and Parsons advanced into the area and lobbed over the keeper to make it 1-1. A just reward for all the hard work Rangers had done without having anything to show for it.
Further chances were created for the away side as they searched for the winner and had two very strong penalty appeals turned down on midfielder Declan Cowley. How Rangers did not get either was beyond them and especially assistant manager Neil Kindred. Rangers did get their winner though after Parsons raced clear again and coolly slotted the ball home and joins Hannaford on top of the goal scorers chart with three. 2-1. Utd were not finished though; and despite having very little of the ball and chances in the second half had a good effort on goal when their striker was laid off and his fierce effort into the near post was superbly turned round the post by Mason. It finished 2-1 and made it two wins from two for Rangers who have a difficult cup match at home to Abbotskerswell reserves.

10/10/09 Buckfastleigh Rangers Res 0 - 3 Abbotskerswell Res (Intermediate Cup)

Abbots started the match as heavy favourites due to their divisional difference and it was made clear quickly as Rangers conceded very early on. An attack down the left hand side cut through the home side’s defence and presented a simple finish for an Abbots striker who would have struggled to have missed.1-0. This, with little more than two minutes played shown what sort of match Rangers were in for.
However the home side battled strongly against their division four opponents and made it difficult for Abbots who were getting frustrated at their lack of clear-cut opportunities. This made for a fiery affair as on more than one occasion players of both sides were involved in pushing. Unfortunately for Rangers they struggled to create chances against a decent defence and looked to Nathan Parsons up front to use his pace against them. This was to no use though as the defence stood firm. Abbots had the better of the chances, but failed to cut open the Rangers defence after their early opener. It stayed 1-0 to the away side until half time.
The game opened up after the break and both sides were creating more chances, but it was Rangers who nearly scored next when Parsons found himself one-on-one with the Abbots keeper and stroked just wide of the left hand post. Rangers also found some promise through Martin Potter who’s cuts in from the left tested the Abbots keeper twice. Also at the other end Tim Mason made a couple of decent saves to prevent Abbots extending their lead. Fortunately for Abbots it was them who came up with the next goal and crushed Rangers’ hopes of a comeback. A scuffed shot from their left back fell perfectly for their striker who completed his brace. This was all despite huge appeals for offside by the Rangers defence but the linesman failed to spot it. 0-2.
After this the home sides players’ heads dropped and they conceded a third shortly after. The other Abbots striker smashed the ball home from twelve yards and this time the Rangers linesman did have his flag up, however the referee let the goal stand after a discussion with the linesman. 0-3.
The game slowed down with neither side really trying to score more as the game was lost for Rangers. However Rangers had one more decent chance as the ball ricocheted off a defender and the keeper made a good save at his near post to thwart Ricky Clanford. From the resulting corner substitute Neil Kindred headed narrowly over. The game finished, but Rangers can take credit from their performance as their certainly were not disgraced by better opponents.

17/10/09 Buckfastleigh Rangers 2 - 0 Kingsbridge & Kellaton

Rangers picked up their third consecutive league victory, with a goal in each half against Kingsbridge & Kellaton. They dominated the opening exchanges against a nervous looking K&K defence and almost opened the scoring when Declan Cowley’s pile driver flew just over. Martin Potter’s near post effort was beaten away by the keeper as Rangers showed their intent. Chances were coming thick and fast for the home side who came close through new signing Matt Byford whose long range effort went just over and Ricky Clanford’s low whipped in cross missed everyone in the area. Byford went close another couple of times with long range efforts before Rangers finally got their deserved rewards. Nigel Stevens scored his first of the season with a rocket of a left footed half volley after being teed up by Clanford’s superb chest control and lay-off. 1-0.
Shortly after Rangers nearly doubled their lead from a corner when centre-back Mick Howells read a flick on in the K&K area and was just a bit too much off balance to get any control on his volley and it was harmless. The K&K defence was under constant bombardment in the first period and had to deal with the pace of Byford and Nathan Parsons who chased countless through balls, leading to a lot of attacking throw-ins and corners. At the other end the Rangers defence were in superb form as K&K could not force any real pressure on them and managed to create only one real chance in the half. From a free-kick the Rangers defence watched as a striker poked his unchallenged effort straight into the arms of Tim Mason. It could have quite easily brought the equaliser but would have not given a real account of the first half in which the home side dominated.
The second half started brightly again for Rangers but knew that they would need to score again to make sure of their win. Again many through balls to the quick strikers put lots of pressure on the K&K backline and finally one of them brought a goal. Potter’s chipped through ball found the debutant Byford and he timed his run to perfection. He evaded a challenge in the area and slotted it into the corner, despite the keeper getting fingers onto it. 2-0
Rangers’ first half performance could not be matched and they saw the game out comfortably. Again K&K struggled to create chances and the clean sheet never really looked in doubt with Mason in confident form in the goal. The game fizzed out into a scrappy affair in the midfield with Rangers only being able to create half chances as substitute Josh Hannaford could not get a real connection on his volley and it rolled to the keeper. The game finished 2-0 and Rangers recorded another win which puts them level on points with K&K and in fourth place.

24/10/09 Riviera Spurs res 3 - 0 Buckfastleigh Rangers

Rangers crashed out of the Fred Hewings cup at the first round stage after losing 3-0. The game started fairly evenly as Rangers tried to make their first half advantage with the wind count. There were few real chances for Rangers who came closest in the first half through Martin Potter who cut in from the left and fired narrowly wide. Chances did not come very often for Rangers and they fell behind midway through the first half after a long range free kick was chipped in to the away side’s penalty area and the wind took it through the arms of keeper Tim Mason. 1-0.
Spurs had the best spell of possession of the game and had a couple more decent chances against the wind. Rangers defended well however, but were punished when a Spurs striker headed home their second after a good cross from the tricky left winger. The headed shot left Mason stranded and it became 2-0.
After the interval Rangers had their best spell of the game into the wind this time and went close through Matt Byford. Shortly after Mick Howells nodded narrowly wide from a corner with what was Rangers’ best chance. At the other end though Mason was struggling with his kicks that were getting caught up in the swirling wind and was inadvertently inviting pressure onto his own backline. Spurs were not taking full advantage of this and Rangers still thought they were in with a chance of salvaging the game. This was until Spurs broke away from a corner where substitute Danny Beer had a blocked effort and the long ball found the Spurs striker who stabbed the ball past Mason from eighteen yards. 3-0. The game finished 3-0 to the home side and Rangers only have the divisional cup to look forward to after losing in the opening rounds of the intermediate cup and now the Fred Hewings.

06/02/10 Buckfastleigh Rangers res 4 - 3 Denbury Athletic res (after extra time)

Buckfastleigh Rangers superbly fought back from a 3-1 deficit to secure their place in the Ivor Andrews Cup semi finals.
The hosts had not had a game since October and it told at the start of the game as they struggled to find their rhythm in the final third. Their pressure though started to force corners against a Denbury side who have not managed a single league win this term. The breakthrough was made midway through the first half as a short corner between Matt Grute and Martin Potter left the latter with a cross to the penalty spot, where big centre-back Mick Howells superbly volleyed in from twelve yards and off the underside of the bar for his first goal of the season.
Denbury started to get their momentum going after looking poor for the first part of the game. They drew level when a corner was not cleared by the Rangers defence who had looked solid up until then and the ball was poked home from inside the six yard area. 1-1.
The game then turned on its head on the stroke of half time as a through ball found a Denbury striker who raced through on goal only to be tripped by the unfortunate Rangers keeper Tim Mason who was shown the straight red card after being the last man. However Rangers were incensed as the Denbury attack came after a shot from Potter hit the hands of Denbury defender just in front of their keeper, but the protests were waved away. Dan Leaver came on in place of Mason and was unlucky with the penalty as he saved the spot kick, only to see the rebound fall straight back to the taker who had a simple tap in.
Shortly after the break Denbury extended their lead to two goals as a good fun and finish made it 3-1 to the away side. Rangers looked beaten with the ten men and their lack of recent match practice. However they pressed on against an also tiring denbury side who had their keeper to thank for keeping their lead intact. Rangers got a lifeline as Declan Cowley was put through on goal and he calmly finished to make it 3-2. As the game pressed on Rangers struggled to find a way past the Denbury keeper as Potter and Nathan Parsons were thwarted until Arren de Young equalised in stoppage time, poking the ball over the advancing keeper, taking the game to extra time.
Denbury offered very little after this and it was Rangers who looked the fitter side and Potter missed two good chances before scoring what would be the winner. Denbury had a good chance that was wasted and rangers hung on to seal their place in the semi final, away to Dittisham on the 6th of March.