No Quarter: Division Two leaders Torquay Town dispatched Division One side Paignton Villa from the Herald Cup. © Al Macphee/MiraclePR
Ilsington Villa and Newton Rovers delivered the biggest Herald Cup upsets last Saturday, the Division Two sides both dumping out Premier Division opponents to make the last 16.
Villa were entertaining Salcombe Town and raced into a two goal lead, courtesy of goals from top scorer Dan Langford and Jack Dixon. The Crabs responded well and were back on level terms by the break, Lee Morgan and Samuel Inch on target. With no goals in the second half, the game went into extra time. Matt Warman then sent the third tier side through, slipping in between the Salcombe centre half and goalkeeper to score the winner.
Newton Rovers’ win was even sweeter as they were hosting local rivals Newton Abbot ’66. Ben French scored the only goal of the game to set up a Third Round tie at Brixham AFC Reserves.
Brixham conceded four the last time they hosted fellow Premier Division side Elburton Villa Reserves, but there was to be no repeat of that seven goal thriller in the cup. The Fishermen kept a clean sheet and scored three times to progress.
League leaders Buckfastleigh Rangers knocked out Division One side Chudleigh Athletic Reserves at the Duckspond. Charlie Morgan, Curtis Wood and Josh Zimmerman each found the net in a 3-1 victory, with Matthew Williams responding for Chudleigh. Rangers will travel to Broadpark in the last 16 to face current Division One leaders Kingsteignton Athletic. Mark Voisey and Chris Barnett were among the goals as the Rams defeated Division Three outfit Totnes and Dartington Reserves 4-2, Jake Osman and Scott Troth with Tots’ goals.
Finley Bullen put away a hat-trick as East Allington put Upton Athletic to the sword at Armada Park. Josh Pascoe scored twice, Upton put through their own net and there were singles from Mattias Bodman, Fred Massey, Josef Sita and Rob Tapper as the Pirates won 10-0. Their next round opponents will be either The Windmill or Meadowbrook Athletic who face off in an all-Premier battle this Saturday.
Watts Blake Bearne also scored ten as the Claymen dispatched Division Three opponents Bishopsteignton United 10-1 at Abbrook Park. Cam Gill led the scoring with four goals, and he was joined on the score-sheet by Sam Stowell, who scored twice, Matt Battishill, Cianan Breen, Billy Clinch and Mike Tapper. Wattsies have been drawn away to Harbertonford in the Third Round.
Daniel Ahearn was the cup hero for Ivybridge Town Reserves as they successfully negotiated a tricky tie away at Division One side Waldon Athletic. Ahearn scored the only goal of the game to set up another away tie at Division Two leaders Torquay Town.
That will please Torquay’s Matt Waye who was eager for his team to be drawn against ‘one of the big boys’ after his headed goal clinched the victory against Paignton Villa.
Town took the lead in the tenth minute, Curtis Booth curling in a powerful shot at the near post. But Villa deservedly went in level at the break, Joe Windsor tapping home the rebound after Scott Corderoy had saved Graham Mercieca’s low drive.
“We were a bit lethargic first half, and we just weren’t competitive enough,” admitted Waye. “We had a word at half time and said we needed to be a yard quicker. The lads did it. I’ll take my hat off to them, they put a shift in.”
Torquay started the second half on the front foot and should have taken the lead ten minutes in, one of their players missing an empty net by heading over the bar. Corderoy was then forced to claw the ball away from under his crossbar before Town took the lead again. Liam Ford’s pinpoint cross unlocked the Villa defence and up rose Waye to head home.
“It was a stretch to get to the ball before the goalkeeper,” laughed Waye. “I’m 45 this year and have been playing local football since I was 16. I’m still enjoying it, and can still compete with the younger lads.
“We’re just a bunch of old lads who want to enjoy our football. We got back together this year and are doing really well.”
With 20 minutes left to play, the game was far from over, and the spectators were treated to some entertaining football. But when Villa wasted a gilt-edged chance to equalise with four minutes remaining, the writing was on the wall.
“I think we played the better football,” said Waye. “They had a couple of chances, nothing major, but we should have scored a couple more I think. We’ll have a few beers tonight and enjoy it. We’ll play anybody next. Nobody wants to lose to us, that’s the biggest thing. We’re looking forward to it.”
Villa will be hoping to bounce back quickly as they face rivals Paignton Saints Reserves in the league this week. Saints returned from Teign Village triumphant on Saturday, Brandon Kelly, Jake Powell and Danny Rainbow on target in a 3-1 win; Mike Turner scored the Quarrymen’s consolation. Saints have been drawn away to the winners of this Saturday’s tie between Galmpton United and Bovey Tracey Reserves.
Familiar foes Ilsington Villa and Babbacombe Corinthians will lock horns again in the Third Round. Corries enjoyed a 7-2 win over Ipplepen Athletic Reserves with Harry Denby scoring a hat-trick and Alex Chamberlain, Tom Coulson, Curtis Marshall and Daniel Orchard also finding the net.
There was also a hat-trick for Jack Cousins as Division Two side Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Development secured a 4-2 win at South Brent from Division Four. Mark Newman also notched for the Bees with Will Poundall and Jamie Soper on target for Brent.
The guaranteed Division Three spot went to Broadhempston United who picked up their first win of the season away at Kingsbridge and Kellaton United. Sam Caunter and Aaron West celebrated goals for the Robins.
There was just the one TCS SDFL Premier Division game. Marc Hagland and Callum Nightingale scored for Galmpton in a 2-2 home draw against Meadowbrook. Adam Biggs and Liam Collings scored for Brook.