Category: Herald Cup

Clark-Farley Hat-Trick Sees 2023 Herald Cup Finalists Through to Last 16

Newton ’66 are a step closer to back-to-back Herald Cup finals. Photo © Al Macphee/MiraclePR. Report by SDFL.

Most clubs returned to either league or cup football this weekend as the break in the weather allowed groundstaff to repair the damage caused by the recent wet spell.

In the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division, Waldon Athletic were made to work hard for their 1-nil victory over East Allington United who are in the unusual position of being third from bottom and in desperate need of a win to boost the confidence; George Stahlmann scored the only goal of the game which sees the Torquay team move into a respectable fifth place in the division. The other Premier Division teams played their second round fixtures in the Torbay Clearance Services-sponsored Herald Cup; there were no shock results, but Broadhempston United from Division Four put in a real shift at Premier title contenders Beesands Rovers, where the home team ran out 4 – 1 winners in the end. In the all-Premier Division clash at Chudleigh, the home team knocked out Morley Rangers, but it took them extra-time to score 3 goals; Jack Lee, Louis Hooper and Charlie Forey scored them. They also had an extra player as Morley’s top scorer Dalton Brammer was sent off for foul play. Also safely through to Round Three are Newton Abbot ’66 with a 4-nil win over Babbacombe Corries; Joe Clark-Farley set them on their way with a hat-trick, and Callum Foskett added one to see off the Division One team. Harbertonford were unable to raise a team to visit Premier Leaders Ilsington Villa, and Paignton Saints were given a taste of what may be to come for them next season when they hosted Buckfastleigh Rangers. To their credit, they made last season’s Premier Division runners-up work for their place in the Third Round; in the end, Rangers were a bit stronger than Saints and a 2-1 win for the visitors was a fair result. Louis Moody and Ryan Clarke were on target for the Greens.

In Division One of the Torbay Clearance Services League, Totnes and Dartington had a great result on their trip to the seaside to take on joint league leaders Brixham Town, coming away with a 3-nil win courtesy of strikes from Ryan Walton (twice) and Harrison Hardy. There was also a cracking game at Long Lane, in a local derby, where hosts Watcombe Wanderers and Buckland Athletic Reserves cancelled each other out in a 2-2 Draw; Luca Staniforth and Abdulsalim Benmaloud got the goals for the young Bucks. Ivybridge Town Reserves join 3 other teams on 15 points at the top of the league courtesy of a tight 2-1 win over bottom club Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds.

The only game in Division Two saw East Allington United Seconds move to the top of the division with a 4–1 victory over Ipplepen Athletic Seconds.

In Division Three, South Brent continue their good start to the season following promotion; a 4–1 home win against Paignton Saints Thirds moves them into second place in the division. Jono Ellis, Josh Miller and Will Poundall secured the points for Brent. At the other end of the Division Three table, Waldon Athletic Thirds secured a valuable 2-nil home win at Cricketfield Road against a stubborn Kingsbridge and Kellaton side who had chances to win the game but on the day failed to take them. The result leaves the South Hams side still looking for their first win of the season.

The unusual story of the day unfolded at White Rock where the fixture between Paignton Villa Thirds and Barton Athletic Seconds had to be abandoned. The pitch at White Rock is a designated landing spot for the Devon Air Ambulance which needed to land to deal with a incident close by. Liverton United returned to winning ways, and to the top of Division Four, with a 2-nil home win against Watcombe Wanderers Thirds; Curtis Milford scored both the goals to secure the points for the Halford club. Chudleigh Athletic Seconds moved into fifth place, in what is a very open division, with a 3–1 win at Bakers Park against Newton Rovers Seconds; the game was effectively over, but Sam Bird scored a consolation for the home team.

With a look forward to the fixtures on Saturday 18th November:

The teams outside of the Premier Division can look forward to the Second Round of the Fred Hewings Cup which is a knockout competition for reserve teams only; there are also a few outstanding Herald Cup games that offer top of the table games, potential banana skin games and local derbies to be played.

My game of the day is in the Herald Cup at the Western Counties ground in Bovey Tracey where Newton Spurs Seconds are the visitors. They currently sit on top of Division One whilst the hosts are top of Division Two and will be looking to take a Division One team’s scalp following their defeat to Paignton Saints in the Devon Senior Cup two weeks ago. Also in the Herald Cup, there is a tricky game for Premier Division strugglers East Allington United when they visit the Kia Stadium to take on Stoke Gabriel TP Seconds who sit in second place in Division Three; another potential banana skin fixture is at Foxhole in Dartington where the Division Three side Totnes and Dartington take on the Premier Division’s bottom side Brixham AFC Reserves who will be looking to win their first game of the season.

For all other games, click on Full Time and search South Devon Football League to see who is playing where. Just a reminder: the cup games kick off at 2pm. Enjoy your Saturday supporting grassroots football.

Voisey Fires Rams into Herald Cup History Book

All pictures © Al Macphee/MiraclePR

Super sub Mark Voisey sealed Kingsteignton Athletic’s place in Herald Cup history with a late winner for the Rams which saw the club lift the treasured trophy for the tenth time, equalling Upton Athletic’s record.

Although Kingsteignton had gone into the game off the back of two straight defeats, there were no signs of any nerves at the Speedwell Kia ground as both themselves and opponents Newton Abbot ’66 treated a decent crowd to a display of positive, competitive cup football. The match that unfolded was all you would expect from a Herald Cup final – and a local derby. Kingsteignton’s Ryan Tovagliari and Newton ’66’s semi-final star Liam Ashwell both forced saves in the opening exchanges before the Rams took an 18th minute lead. Jason Jones raided down the right and played a low cross into the box. A deft back-heel by Ollie Kewell put the ball into the path of Chris Barnett who buried his chance. Barnett, one of a number of standout players, was awarded man of the match by sponsors Torbay Clearance Services.

Torbay Clearance Services (cup and league sponsors) present the Man of the Match award to Chris Barnett along with SDFL President Mervyn Benney.

There was a moment of concern early in the second half when Newton 66’s George Dodge went down with a blow to the head following a corner, but quick action by the players and officials meant that Dodge was soon patched up and back on the pitch. Dan Rankin had a chance to double the Rams’ advantage when he was put through for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper ten minutes into the second half, but the prolific marksman hit the ball straight into the midriff of the grateful Adam Daly. The Sixes then had their best chance of the game, on 75 minutes, when Russ Faulkner was forced to tip over a free-kick. That was one of a number of set-pieces awarded to Ian Clenahan’s side as the game drew closer to its thrilling conclusion. A year earlier, Steve Workman, sensing the game against The Windmill was turning, brought on Aaron Paget to win the game. This time it was Mark Voisey who was sent on with the job of settling the tie. And just like Paget, Voisey struck a venomous last minute shot from the right to beat Daly and send the Rams’ supporters wild. Voisey’s goal was not the last word though. That went to Sixes sub Olly Hastie who scored an even later goal deep into stoppage time. Newton ’66 deserved that consolation, but were unable to force the game into extra time.

Kingsteignton captain Jason Jones lifts the Herald Cup, presented by sponsors Torbay Clearance Services and SDFL President Mervyn Benney.

“It was really hard graft. I thought ‘66 were really good,” said Kingsteignton manager Steve Workman. “We’ve beaten them four times this season, but they’ve always given us a really good, really hard game.”

The two games lost prior to the final may not have been ideal preparation, but Workman felt they might have actually done his side some good. “We hurt badly for a couple of weeks because we’re not used to losing,” he said. “We’d probably played the best we’ve played all season, while we’ve played other games where we’ve won and not played well.

“All of a sudden, we thought, ‘We’ve got to earn this.’ And they did. To a man, they were all brilliant today.”

One of the night’s stars, Mark Voisey, revealed exactly what Workman’s instructions had been ahead of his decisive introduction. “Right wing, don’t forget your defensive responsibilities but they’re knackered. Just keep pushing and get that winning goal,” he said. “I had a couple of dodgy touches at the start, but I got there in the end, and thankfully it was a winning goal.

“I think experience comes into it,” continued Voisey. “We were there in the final last year, and we just had to keep knocking the ball around. It’s a big pitch, and a great pitch to play football on. Fair play to Newton ’66. They gave us a good run for their money but we just got there in the end.

“Last year was fantastic, as I’d played football for years and it was the first Herald Cup final that I’d won. This year was just as special, especially scoring the second goal, it was amazing. But it was a team effort. The defence was outstanding, the midfield worked hard. It was just an incredible win.”

As for Voisey’s manager, he has now lifted the Herald Cup four times in all, both as a player and as a manager. “It never gets boring,” said Workman. “I absolutely love this cup. It’s still the biggest cup in this area. Everybody still loves it and it’s the one to get your hands on. So it’s great to have our hands on it again, and I can’t wait to have a few drinks out of it.”

The season is not quite done and dusted for the Rams who had two days to prepare for a potential banana skin Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division league game against Ivybridge Town Reserves. A win would see them clinch a magnificent double, while anything else could mean a ‘winner takes all’ clash against second-placed Buckfastleigh Rangers on Wed 31st May.

“I think this win has helped,” said Workman, “because if we had not won today, I think that would have put the pressure on. We’re just going to go out and play our game, hopefully get the three points, and then we won’t need to get anything against Buckfastleigh in the last game. We waited so long for a trophy, then we get six in two seasons. Hopefully, we’ll get the seventh.”

“If we play like we did tonight, we shouldn’t have a problem,” said Voisey. “But we’ve still got business to complete.”

McEwen’s Wonder Goal Delivers Fred Hewings Cup for Waldon

Fred Hewings Cup winners Waldon Athletic Reserves celberate their victory at Halford.

Another team with work still to do are Waldon Athletic Reserves who are now one game from an impressive treble haul following last Thursday’s 2-1 victory over East Allington United Reserves in the Fred Hewings Cup final.

East Allington stormed into an early lead, with Dan Joyce finding the net, but Adam Townsend restored parity with ten minutes remaining. Waldon huffed and puffed for a second goal, but it took a moment of brilliance from Gareth McEwen to put the Clarets in front. McEwen took the ball into the box, past a couple of defenders and then rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home. It was a goal worthy of winning any final, but the Pirates thought they had equalised in the dying seconds, only for referee Steve Pearce to deny the goal for handball.

Match action from Waldon Athletic Reserves and East Allington United Reserves in the Fred Hewings Cup final.

herald cup final 2023

19/5/23: Teignbridge Rivals Contest Herald Cup

SGT Police will host the prestigious Herald Cup final this Friday with holders Kingsteignton Athletic taking on fellow Teignbridge side Newton Abbot ’66 at Broadley Lane.

Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division leaders Kingsteignton have lost their aura of invincibility over the last week, having lost two games on the spin. In contrast, Newton ’66 are coming into form at just the right time. The Sixes, who last lifted the trophy in 2000, are looking for their fourth ever Herald Cup win, while Kingsteignton can equal Upton Athletic’s record haul of ten trophies should Friday be their night. This year’s competition is sponsored by Torbay Clearance Services.