Preview contributed by SDFL. Photo ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR.com
This coming Saturday 9th September gives most clubs an outing in 1 of the 3 adult competitions that are made compulsory for first teams to enter by Devon F.A. Surely there has to be a discussion as to whether the early rounds should be regionalised, as the organisers do not offer any travel expenses to local teams, unlike the teams in the pyramid who would get a share of gate receipts. Sometimes, we need reminding that this is recreational football. Here are a pick of the fixtures with the miles:
Devon Senior Cup. Totnes and Dartington at Sidmouth (76). WBB at Torridgeside (108). Babbacombe Corries at Woolsery (158). Ivybridge at Barum (190) and poor old East Allington Seconds can look forward to a trip to Lynton, a mere round trip of 196 miles. In the Devon Premier Cup, Newton Abbot ’66 host Barnstaple (135). Waldon Athletic, who have a minibus, travel to Hartland and Clovelly (148) and Brixham Seconds will need to leave early for their 156 mile round trip to Appledore. This almost calls for an SDFL party at Tiverton services. At the time of writing, Corries have pulled out of the fixture in North Devon, opting to pay a £75 fine instead of incurring the costs of getting a team to this game.
Good luck and safe travels to all the South Devon League teams playing in the county cups this weekend.