Picture (c) MiraclePR
After the disruption of a wet December, the first Saturday of 2019 looks set to see a return of the beautiful game in South Devon with a full programme of action down the non-league pyramid.
National League South leaders Torquay United, who have already started their New Year of course, aim to extend their winning league streak into double figures as they welcome mid-table Slough Town to Plainmoor for a 3pm kick-off.
Buckland Athletic are on the road today hoping that a visit to struggling Brislington will bring a bright start to the year after a largely disappointing December in the Toolstation Western Premier League.
Stoke Gabriel, who sit atop the South West Peninsula League Division One East, can make it five league wins in a row as they visit the Robins of Budleigh Salterton who are next to bottom in the table. Bovey Tracey are also on their travels. They will take on Alphington looking to continue where they left off last year. In fact, with Liverton away at defending champions St Martin and Brixham visiting the University of Exeter, only Newton Abbot Spurs have the luxury of a home tie this afternoon. Spurs entertain Sidmouth at The Rec.
In the Herald Cup Third Round, Bovey Tracey Reserves hope that home advantage will help them into the quarter-finals at the expense of SDFL Premier side Brixham AFC Reserves. In-form Paignton Saints will also be a tough prospect for Watcombe Wanderers. Two other Premier sides will take on Division One opponents: Chudleigh Athletic host 2015 finalists Beesands Rovers while Buckland Athletic Reserves go to Ivybridge Town Rerserves in the outstanding Second Round tie.
Meadowbrook Athletic are yet to drop a point in their Division Two campaign and they are at home to Division One outfit Loddiswell Athletic.
There will be at least one Division Two and one Division Three team in the last eight. Buckfastleigh Rangers will battle Ipplepen Athletic at Moor Road in the all Division Two clash.
Meanwhile, Division Three sides Watts Blake Bearne and Newton Rovers, who are neck-in-neck in the league, play each other for a quarter-final spot. We are hoping to get some pictures from that game.
Six teams are in Fred Hewings Cup action and three of them will join Buckland Athletic Thirds in the semi-finals. Buckfastleigh Reserves play Dartmouth Reserves; Paignton Villa Reserves take on Kingskerswell and Chelston Reserves and Paignton Saints Reserves are at home to Ipplepen Athletic Reserves.
In the South Devon Football League Premier Division, leaders Dartmouth AFC will look to take advantage of Buckland’s cup game to build a cushion as they host Paignton Villa. Roselands will hope their new pitch will lead to a change in fortune as they seek their first win of the season at home to Totnes and Dartington.
All fixtures subject to change.
All scores and tables will be updated on Sunday here at www.clubnets.co.uk and www.sdfl.org.uk