CLUB ON THE UP: Watts Blake Bearne are on the trophy trail and doing well in the league. (c)Miracle PR
Ten years ago, Newton Abbot side Watts, Blake & Bearne celebrated winning the double, picking up both the South Devon Football League Premier Division and Herald Cup. Three seasons later they had folded and were forced to regroup and endure the slow climb back up through the lower divisions.
Now known as Watts Blake Bearne AFC, the team are once again fighting for the top honours in the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL. On Saturday, two strikes by Matt Elmore and a single by Cam Gill earned the Division One high-fliers a place in the Herald Cup semi-finals at the expense of Premier Division outfit Salcombe Town. Luke Milton found the net for the Crabs but that will be scant consolation for the South Hams side who have never won the prestigious trophy.
There could yet be a new name inscribed on to the cup, Torbay Police claiming their semi-final place with a 1-0 home win over Meadowbrook Athletic. With the high winds causing problems, this was not a classic game and there were few chances for either side, Max Prestwood coming closest in the first half when his header from a corner was cleared off the line. The game was decided in the second half when Luke Dandy was pushed in the box. The Brook goalkeeper parried his spot-kick on to the post but referee Barry Hayward ordered the kick to be retaken due to player encroachment. Dandy didn’t pass up his second opportunity to break the deadlock and duly converted the penalty that saw the Bees through.
Holders Buckland Athletic are also through to the final four although it is the Development side tasked with defending the trophy Neil Snell and Marc Revell’s Reserves won last season. Bucks were clear favourites to win at Windmill Hill where they took on Division Two hopefuls Babbacombe Corinthians. However, it took them nearly the entire half to get their noses ahead with Charlie Morgan finally chesting down a cross and firing home after 38 minutes. The scoreline stayed at 1-0 until the hour mark when substitute Owen Coldwell put the game to bed with a quick-fire double.
East Allington United complete the semi-final line-up and will be aiming to scoop their third Herald Cup in four seasons following their back-to-back wins in 2017 and 2018. Finley Bullen struck twice in each half for the Pirates to end the hopes of their hosts Buckfastleigh Rangers. Luke Forward also scored for the visitors who won 5-0.
With the top two in cup action, Ipplepen Athletic took the opportunity to move level with Torbay Police on points by beating another in-form side, Brixham AFC Reserves, 4-2. Daniel Cummings’ Pens have now won an impressive seven games in a row.
Ivybridge Town Reserves will be pleased to have halted a trend in the opposite direction after they won 2-0 at Newton Abbot ’66 to bring a five game losing streak to an end.
Elsewhere, Chris Bennett and Andy Espley found the net for Broadmeadow STFC as they enjoyed a 2-1 home win over Plympton Athletic Reserves, Ryan Hart with the visitors’ strike.