FRUSTRATED: Ashburton’s Damien Francis-Furnivall takes on two Paignton Saints Reserves players in his side’s 4-1 loss at Coach Road. ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR
It was an afternoon of few surprises in the Herald Cup with most TCS SDFL Premier Division sides progressing into the second round with little difficulty.
The most emphatic triumph went to Watts Blake Bearne who emphatically dispatched fellow Premier side Barton Athletic with a 16-0 win. Cam Gill and Billy Clinch scored five apiece, Lewis Perring added four goals and Michael Tapper celebrated a double.
Bayley Williams gave Elburton Villa Reserves a two goal head start at Division One’s Kingskerswell and Chelston with Sam Lang scoring a third ten minutes into the second half. Further strikes from Tom Swabey and Harrison Jones wrapped up a comprehensive 5-0 victory for the visitors in their first ever Herald Cup game.
Ivybridge Town Reserves handled a potentially tricky fixture admirably with a 4-0 home win over Division One outfit Beesands Rovers.
Meadowbrook Athletic and East Allington United had the easiest route through of all as their opponents, Dittisham United and Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds respectively, couldn’t raise sides. The same was true of Liverton United Reserves who were due to travel to Torquay Town.
Further down the divisions, there were some closer contests. None more so than at Windmill Hill where Division One leaders Waldon Athletic hosted Brixham Town who top Division Three. With no goals scored in normal time, it took an extra time goal from Joseph McFarlane to see the Clarets through.
Ashburton started on the front foot at Coach Road but despite pinning Paignton Saints Reserves in their own half for much of the first period, they lacked a killer punch, especially with top scorer Callum Noyce playing for Buckland Athletic Reserves. In contrast, Saints were clinical, Jake Powell and Matt Reed scoring to give Saints a rather flattering 2-0 lead at the break. The next goal was always going to be critical and when Powell blasted the ball into the bottom right for 3-0, it seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Ashes. Saints were much tighter in the second half and Lee Davis kept Ashburton in the game with a couple of crucial saves. When Mitchell Murphy converted a late corner for a goal back, there was the briefest flicker of hope for Ashburton. But Powell snuffed that out in the final minute as he slotted the ball past Davis to complete his hat-trick.
Elsewhere, Babbacombe Corinthians beat fellow Division Two rivals Watcombe Wanderers Reserves 3-2 at Long Lane while Upton Athletic enjoyed their first win of the season with a 9-1 victory over Division Four side Discoveries Devon. Mark McGregor scored five goals for Upton with Callum Dunn celebrating a brace. Jordan Bastow and Jamie Lane also found the net as did Zak Carnall for the hosts’ consolation.
In the Premier Division, Buckfastleigh Rangers bounced back from the previous week’s loss at Watts Blake Bearne with a comprehensive 6-1 home win over The Windmill. Steve Sutton celebrated a hat-trick for the leaders with Ian Howse scoring twice and Joshua Norrie on target; Ash Walker scored for the visitors.
Brixham AFC Reserves beat near neighbours Galmpton United 3-0 to stay a point behind.
Ash Yeoman hit the back of the net four times for Salcombe Town as the Crabs made it three home wins in a row by beating Newton Abbot ’66 5-1. Jake Favis was their other goalscorer while Darren Fisher netted for the Sixes.
Kingsteignton Athletic reclaimed top spot in Division Four by winning 4-0 at home to Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves. Goals were provides by Chris Barnett, Nathan Isaac, Aaron Paget and Tom Reeves.
Paignton Villa are still seeking their first win since returning to the SDFL. They fell to another close defeat to Chudleigh Athletic Reserves. Jack Morrison and Spencer Taylor notched for Chudleigh with Richard Malone responding for Villa.
There was just the one goal for Dan Langford this week as Division Two leaders Ilsington Villa won 4-1 at home to Ipplepen Athletic Reserves. George Harris led the goalscoring this time with two goals, Jack Langford also scoring.
Goals from Bradley Doyle and Nigel Vass saw Newton Rovers move up to third spot as they won 2-1 at East Allington Reserves, Dan Bowles with the Pirates’ effort.
Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Development and Dartmouth AFC Reserves fought out a 3-3 draw.
Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves hold on to third spot in Division Three after their 2-0 home win over Broadhempston United, Kieran O’Connell and Gordon Stevenson scoring. Galmpton United Reserves and Kingsbridge and Kellaton United also won at home against Teign Village and Bishopsteignton United respectively.
Alistair Chuchuk and Matthew Churchill hit the target for Division Four leaders Bovey Tracey Reserves as they won 2-1 at Brixham Town Reserves, James Loram with the home side’s goal.
Luke Barton, Terry Hunter and Adam Townsend each scored as Waldon Athletic Reserves made it eight wins out of eight.
Kai Foster put away a hat-trick for Ivybridge Town Development as they smashed Babbacombe Corinthians 9-0 away. There was also a big away win for Barton Athletic Thirds as they beat Newton Rovers Reserves 6-1. Ryan Warrington scored the only goal of the game as Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves won at Watcombe Wanderers Thirds.
Christian Williams scored all of Chudleigh Athletic Thirds’ goals as they knocked Barton Athletic Reserves out of the Fred Hewings Cup 4-3. The only other game in the First Round went to extra-time before Torquay Town Reserves won 4-2 against hosts Paignton Saints Thirds.