SEVENTH HEAVEN: Torbay Police cruise into the last 16 of the Herald Cup with a 7-0 victory over Kingsteignton Reserves. (c) MiraclePR
WBW (Solicitors) SDFL leaders Torbay Police cruised through to the last sixteen of the Herald Cup with a 7-0 victory at Broadpark against Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves.
The Rams’ first team were finalists last season but their second string couldn’t follow in their footsteps despite holding the Bees to a goalless first half. Wayne Pearce played a blinder between the sticks for the home side and when he stepped up to save Sonwabile Mlenze’s penalty, it looked like it might be a frustrating afternoon for the favourites.
After the break, the Police finally made their chances count with Max Prestwood and substitute Marc Hagland scoring two apiece and the other goals put away by Liam Walton, Dan Pagett and Bees’ man-of-the-match Luke Dandy.
After receiving a bye in the First Round, East Allington United booked their place in the Third with a 5-1 win at previously unbeaten Kingskerswell and Chelston. A header from Dan Hurrell and a nice finish from Finley Bullen, from a Dan Bowles flick, saw the Pirates 2-1 up at the break, Ash Beetschen on target for the home side. Bowles then made things a little more comfortable when he headed home Josh Pascoe’s free-kick before Bullen made it 4-1 when he followed up Luke Forward’s saved strike. Bullen then turned provider for Jamie Batchelor to round things off.
Over at the Denbury Playing Fields, Buckland Athletic Development took an early lead in their derby with Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds, Timothy Sandercombe’s long goal-kick, ten minutes in, finding Calum Fife in space and the latter toe-poking home. Spurs hit back five minutes later with a breakaway equaliser but when Owen Coldwell was fouled by the goalkeeper, Matt Briant restored Bucks’ lead from the spot with 23 minutes played. With half-time looming, Rob Heaps then set up Coldwell to make it 3-1. There were no further goals in the second half and the Yellows go through to the Third Round.
Ian Howse struck twice for Buckfastleigh Rangers as the Premier side dispatched Division One opponents Abbotskerswell 4-0 at the Duckspond. Declan Cowley and Steven Sutton also found the net for Rangers.
Salcombe Town will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Cronies in the Devon Premier Cup as they take on cup specialists Ilsington Villa in the Herald Cup on Saturday. Plympton Athletic and Broadmeadow will also be looking to boost the Premier contingent as they face Watts Blake Bearne and Barton Athletic respectively.
Ivybridge Town Reserves will play Babbacombe Corinthians in the Second Round after they finally managed to play – and win – their their First Round tie against fellow Premier outfit Newton Abbot ’66.
Meadowbrook Athletic’s postponed First Round tie against Paignton Villa Reserves has yet to be rearranged but Brook are out of the Devon Premier Cup, Hartland & Clovelly awarded a home walkover. With Ipplepen Athletic eased aside 6-0 by DFL side Tavistock Reserves (Alex Henniker scoring five times!), that ends the SDFL’s presence in that competition for another season.
Elsewhere in the Herald Cup, Division Three leaders Bishopsteignton United cruised past Division One stragglers Dittisham United 9-1 while Galmpton United won the battle of the Greens with a 5-0 home victory over Watcombe Wanderers Reserves from the division above. Upton Athletic enjoyed a second successive victory over Waldon Athletic Reserves, beating the Clarets 4-2.
There was just one Premier game played last Saturday, Broadmeadow with a comfortable 6-2 win over Beesands Rovers. Malcolm Douglas scored twice and there were goals for Todd Ballman, Ben Beeson, Joshua Garswell and Chris Bennett. Jack Eades scored twice for the Bees.