Category: League Round Up

lakeside athletic crest

Herald Cup joy for Lakeside Athletic

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 18th APR, report by Alastair Muirden

Plymouth-based Lakeside Athletic became the first team to book a berth in this seasons Herald Cup Final by beating Watts Blake Bearne by two goals to nil in front of a big attendance at Homers Heath (full match report and photos are on Daves World). The Premier Division outfit were bigger and stronger than their opponents from Division One, and the fact that these two sides may meet in a league fixture next season tells you that there was not much between them. WBB had chances early in the game but failed to take them, and the first goal came about from a goalkeeper error that got him booked, and JJ Honeywell was in the right place to touch the loose ball home, but the second goal that followed soon after was a sublime free-kick that had Jaden Wood doing cartwheels back into his own half. Lakeside must now wait for the other semi-final between Ilsington Villa and Paignton Saints to find out who their opponents will be in the Plainmoor showdown.

The abandoned quarter-final game between Paignton Saints and East Allington United – due to an injury to Robbie Chalk – was finally played, and it went the way of the Saints who pulled off possibly their best result of the season so far by beating the Pirates by four goals to one and will now meet Ilsington Villa in the semi-final. On target for Saints were Jake Powell, Joe Wilden and a young man to look out for in Thomas Ross. In fact, whilst he was on target for the first team, his Dad Simon also found the net for the third team. Unfortunately the result was a bit different.

Midweek results:

In the Premier Division, Ilsington Villa had a tough evening at Chudleigh Athletic, but a Jack Langford goal keeps the Moorlanders there or thereabouts; two of the bottom three met at Buckfastleigh where Rangers and ’66 shared the points in a 3-3 draw, and Sixes will need to turn those games in hand into three point games to avoid the drop. In Division One, Bovey Tracey Reserves lost some ground on the top two with a 2-1 loss to Beesands Rovers, who are well-placed but only have three games left. The result leaves the door open for Mount Gould and WBB to contest the title at the moment. Move forward three days and it’s all change.

Saturday report:

At the top of the Premier Division, Windmill continue to go about their business, and an eight-nil win versus Totnes and Dartington puts them 13 points clear with five games to play and needing ten points to be crowned champions. Brodie Simpson managed to find the back of the net, but the hero, with four goals, was Miles Hunt. Former golden boot winner Corbin Mackin was also on target with Jake Harris and Rimae Darlington-Eyre. Ilsington Villa moved into fifth place and are now one of five teams within two points of second place following a comprehensive 5-1 win over Newton Abbot ’66, who are in real danger of playing Division One football next season unless they start to make good use of those games in hand. Jamie Soper, Matt Warman, Matt Pilkington and Jamie Beer found the net for the Moorlanders. Kingsteignton Athletic gave themselves some breathing space with a 4-2 win at Chudleigh Athletic and are now four points clear of the drop zone. The result for Chudleigh means that they have a ‘don’t lose’ game against Buckfastleigh Rangers next Saturday, who only have three games left to play to stay in the top division.

I had to look twice at the results coming in from Division One as they continue to surprise and shock. Result of the day must go to Barton Athletic who put seven goals past Mount Gould without reply, and it had me thinking ‘has that ever happened before?’ Certainly not since they joined the SDFL. Whilst there are still seven games to play, the result effectively leaves the door open for WBB and Barton to grab the two promotion places if they can hold their nerve. Bovey Tracey are another side that could spoil that party, and they will be pleased to get back to winning ways after a midweek defeat. A 2-1 success over Paignton Villa, who themselves are only three points from second place, was a good result for Bovey, who are nine points behind with two games in hand. There are still six teams that could be promoted from this division, and the team with the most games to play are Elburton Villa Reserves, who have just played only their second league game since 25th October. They have seven games in hand with 15 games to play in seven weeks and a big squad to choose from. They won 2-1 against an improving Buckland Athletic Reserves side, who are going to take some points from opposition in the final weeks of the season with a new management team looking on. Brixham Town remain in third place, and an eight-nil win versus the rollercoaster team in the division – Watcombe Wanderers – will be a tonic for the Fishermen, who have just three games left to end this term. In the battle at the bottom of Division One, the ‘don’t lose’ email was fully read and understood by both teams, as Liverton United and Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds shared the points in a 3-3 draw. Nik Garrett and Rhys Fewings were on target at Halford, and the result leaves both teams with a chance to stay in the division, but there are only two points separating the bottom three, who are eight points adrift from safety.

In Division Two, the pre-season favourites Signal Box Oak Villa moved to within three points of the title with a four-nil win at Ivybridge Town Reserves; they have three games remaining. It’s their first season in the SDFL, and having only lost two league games and three cup games all season, the challenge of finding new towns and villages up the A38 has been as enjoyable as their form on the pitch, and they can look forward to the challenges that Division One will throw at them next season. A win for Oak Villa at Harbertonford on 25th April will secure the trophy. Babbacombe Corries have also had a great season and have pushed Oak Villa all the way, and a nine-nil win over a struggling Upton Athletic almost seals second place but not quite. Keiron Sweet was again on target for Corries, with four goals, and there were singles for Jack Cousins, Curtis Marshall, Lee Mcarthur, Oliver Riches and Jordan Bradshaw. Drake FC could catch Corries should results go their way, and the two sides meet in the divisional cup final next Friday at Dartington, which should be a great game. Harbertonford increased the gap at the bottom to 11 points by beating Newton Rovers 4-1; goals for Billy Bright, Isaac Phillips and Kyle Northcott looks to have condemned Rovers to Division Three football next season where undoubtably they will have a better season. Paignton Villa Seconds moved up a place to seventh with a 4-1 victory over East Allington United Seconds which inflicted a 4-1 double loss for the South Hams outfit on a day to forget for them. Villa should be happy with a mid-table berth in what has been a tough division with some good teams.

The runaway leaders in Division Three continue to plough through their opposition. Galmpton United remain on top having played three games more than Kingskerswell, who must still be considered favourites for the title. Galmpton had a five-nil win at Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves, and ‘Kerswell scored ten goals without reply against a South Brent side who still have ten games to play in what is becoming an annual event at Palstone Park in keeping the neighbours awake on a Tuesday and Thursday evening in May. There are just two points separating the bottom four teams, and one of them is Ipplepen Athletic Reserves. They lost 3-1 at Stoke Gabriel TP Reserves, and with five games left to play, they could do with finding a win from one of their four remaining home games. Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves have had a great season, and with eight games still to play, they will be looking for a top three finish. This week, they won five-nil against a good Kingsteignton Athletic second team who remain in fourth place with six games to play.

In Division Four, the top two places have been nailed on for some time, but Chudleigh Athletic Seconds and Teign Village have not got the job done just yet. Chudleigh did their bit this week by winning 6-1 at home to Waldon Athletic Thirds and now need just four points from four games to win promotion, depending on lots of permutations from Waldon Athletic Thirds, Bere Alston United Reserves and Barton Athletic Seconds who are in a bit of form at the moment. Barton won 12-2 at Paignton Saints Thirds to remain very much in the mix. Charlie Uniacke and Nathen Crook both scored four goals each to keep the pressure on the top two for now.

Games to catch:

This Friday evening the 24th April sees the Division Two Lidstone Cup Final being played at Totnes and Dartington’s ground Foxhole. This season’s finalists are Drake FC and Babbacombe Corinthians. The teams sit in fourth and second in the league, and Corries won the only league encounter three-nil. The game has a 6.30pm kick-off, and the host club will have a full bar and food service available, and there is plenty of parking. The weather forecast is looking good, so get yourself along to Dartington to watch a great game of football in the sunshine.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

newton abbot spurs reserves

Cup glory for Spurs Thirds!

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 11th APR, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves contributed by SDFL

Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds may have been the highest-ranked team to qualify for the Fred Hewings Cup, but Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds not only contributed to a great final, they took the eventual winners all the way to a penalty shootout on Friday night at Buckfastleigh.

The scoreline after 90 minutes was 2-2, with Frank Orynik and Rhys Fewings finding the net for Spurs after Jono Ellis and Russ Ellis had given Sixes the lead. With no further goals in extra-time, the neutral supporters were going to to be the only people who were looking forward to a penalty shootout, and Spurs were more clinical with the kicks, winning 3-1 and being able to have an evening of celebration to offset their league season.

Saturday’s games were full of shocks and bruises, so let’s start with the bruises; in the Premier Division’s knockout Belli Cup, the Plymouth derby between True Blues and Lakeside Athletic lived up to the pre-match billing with True Blues needing to find true grit to come back from three-nil down at the break to force extra-time and then take the tie in a dramatic penalty shootout, where they scored all five spot kicks; Bayley Williams, Ashley White and George Davey were the second half scoring heroes for the Blues, who finished the game with ten players. Lakeside still have another cup semi-final to look forward to next week and will be hoping for better fortune against WBB.

The other Belli Cup game went with the form book when Windmill booked a place in their divisional semi-final for the second consecutive season, with a  3-1 victory over a much-improved Buckfastleigh Rangers side; all the goals came courtesy of Brodie Simpson, who is certainly having a great season when it comes to finding the net.

In the Division One Dartmouth Cup, Elburton Villa Reserves had a bruising home win versus Watcombe Wanderers by five goals to three to add yet another fixture to their gruelling April and May game program, where they are going to have to arrange to play three times each week to avoid not finishing their fixtures. Bovey Tracey Reserves, another team with a lot of league games to play, also had a good result against a Liverton United side that was made up of reserve team players due to non-availability; Bovey ran out 5-2 winners with strikes from Ben Moyle, Ollie Bourne, Owen Caldwell and Rory Wolfe.

Babbacombe Corries progressed in the Division Two knockout with a 4-1 win against Harbertonford thanks to Kieron Sweet, Joshua Hills, Jordan Bradshaw and Jack Cousins.

The Division Three Ronald Cup game between the two runaway leaders went the way of Kingskerswell by one goal to nil. The game would have been every neutral’s wish for the final, and Galmpton United certainly made the home team work for the victory in a game that was a credit to this level of football.

The Division Four cup had just one game, and Barton Athletic Seconds, who have had a great season, came very close to a cup upset versus the league leaders Chudleigh Athletic Seconds; in a very entertaining game at Barton Downs, the game ended 2-2 after full and extra-time, and it was the visitors who were more composed in front of goal, winning the shootout 3-1.

In the Torbay Clearance Services Premier Division, Ilsington Villa’s title hopes were dented in a one-nil defeat to East Allington United in a fantastic game of football that brought out the best in the Pirates and in Finn Bullen, who remains one of the top strikers in the competition. Chudleigh Athletic and Newton Abbot ’66 shared the points in a 1-1 draw in a game that both teams could have felt more comfortable with all three points, but sometimes, you need to keep a full complement of players on the pitch to do that; it was reported to have been a stop-start, messy affair which saw three sin bins. Totnes and Dartington will be no doubt glad to see the back of this season and press the reset button after this week’s 9-1 loss at the hands of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves (pictured). The Tots have struggled all season to put two sides out, which is such a shame for the Belli Cup holders with a great club ethic to be struggling to attract young players at this time. Spurs are still in with a chance of a top three finish. Paignton Saints remain in a positive mood, and a 2-1 win at Kingsteignton Athletic heaps more worries of a season end relegation battle for the Rams, which would have been unthinkable in any other season.

In Division One, Watts Blake Bearne continue to plough through whoever is put in front of them, and a 10-2 demolition of Brixham Town will have a different effect on both teams. Ashton Sowerby was a hat-trick hero for the Claymen, and after a great first half of the season, the Fishermen find themselves struggling to put out two teams each week as players seem to find other activities on a Saturday. That seems to be the way it is at the moment. Mount Gould are also one of the teams to beat in this division, and Paignton Villa came close. The final score was one-nil to the Plymouth-based team thanks to a single strike from Jake McLean that takes them a step closer to another promotion. At the other end of the table, Buckland Athletic Reserves continue to improve, and another three points this time, versus Beesands Rovers, by three goals to one, will give the young Bucks every hope of staying in Division One.

In Division Two, Signal Box Oak Villa moved three points closer to the league title with a comprehensive five-nil win at Bakers Park against Newton Rovers, and Ipplepen Athletic Reserves produced a shock result in beating Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds by three goals to nil. The Pens will be glad to get some more points on the board, but they remain one of five teams that could go down a division. Paignton Villa Seconds and Drake shared a 1-1 draw in a game that was played without a referee, and both remain contenders for a top three spot (full report on Daves World), and Paignton Saints Seconds put a dent in the hopes of Ashburton with a 4-3 victory in a tough game for all.

Finally, congratulations to Kingsbridge and Kellaton United in Division Four, as they picked up another three points in a three-nil home win versus Broadhempston United to put them in contention for a mid-table season, which would be a welcome break from the recent seasons of struggle for the family-run club. Well done to Tina and Andy, and thank you for what you do for South Devon football.

Game to catch this week:

Herald Cup semi-final, kindly sponsored by Torbay Clearance Services: Friday 17th April at Buckland Athletic FC with a 7pm kick off. Can WBB, from Division One, cause a cup shock when they face a Lakeside Athletic side bruised from a Belli Cup defeat in what should be a great advert for South Devon League football. There is plenty of parking, and a full bar and food service will be provided by the host club.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

the windmill dartmouth cup winners 2025

Midweek Premier results from the competition that keeps on giving

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 5th APR, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of The Windmill contributed by SDFL

The much awaited meeting between two of the division’s title contenders did not disappoint, and in yet another game in the Torbay Clearance Services league that could well have been played at a higher level, Lakeside Athletic and Ilsington Villa eventually shared the points in a 3-3 thriller and hand a slight advantage to Windmill who continue to lead the division.

At the other end of the division, the relegation places are far from decided as Buckfastleigh Rangers continue their rich vain of form with a 4-1 win over fourth placed East Allington United at Poole Lane. In Division One, Bovey Tracey Reserves had a big midweek win at home to Brixham Town, by ten goals to nil, and effectively remove the Fishermen from the promotion race.

Last week, I wrote about the joy and pain experienced in playing in the Herald Cup, and that continued into this weekend as WBB had the joy and Chudleigh Athletic had to suffer the pain in the delayed quarter-final. The game ended 4-4 after 90 minutes, and with neither side able to conjure up a winner in extra-time, the dreaded penalty shoot-out went in favour of the Claymen, who scored four times to knock out their Premier Division opponents and progress to the semi-final where Lakeside Athletic lay in wait; the dates for the semis remain to be confirmed as the abandoned Paignton Saints v East Allington Unitted tie has still to be played.

In the Premier Division, Windmill (pictured) continue to lead the pack, and a fine 4-1 victory over Paignton Saints, courtesy of a Brodie Simpson hat-trick, keeps the Plymouth-based team as the team to beat and leaves Saints’ season hinging on that Herald Cup game.

Lakeside Athletic will be glad to see the back of Totnes and Dartington after their latest battle ended in a 2-2 draw; the Tots have taken four points from Athletic this season and dented their title hopes while, of course, picking up a valuable point in their own hopes for survival. Plymouth True Blues got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 5-1 win at Newton Abbot ’66. Five different players got on the scoresheet, and True Blues remain on course for a top three place. Ilsington Villa continue to plug away at the points shortfall between themselves and the top three, and enjoyed a hard-fought 3-2 win against Kingsteignton Athletic, where the referee had a busy afternoon, but goals from Dan Langford, George Dixon and Jamie Soper keeps the Moorlanders chasing a league and cup double.

In the Division One cup, Barton Athletic slipped up in a 3-1 loss at Watcombe Wanderers; goals from club stalwart Sean Finch, Ollie Dowell and James Smith ensured that the Greens go into the semi-final to save their season. Paignton Villa also bowed out of the Dartmouth Cup at the hands of Elburton Villa Reserves, who are also chasing a league and cup double.  Mount Gould continue to put pressure on the top three, and a good 4-1 victory at Beesands Rovers probably puts the Bees out of the promotion race as they are running out of games to play. Bentley Alcantara, Ray Spear and Billy Eccles won the points for the Mounties. Brixham Town finally won a game after a torrid run of form since the turn of the year. A 2-1 victory at Buckland Athletic Reserves will give the Fishermen some hope of a strong run in to the end of May.

In Division Two, Signal Box Oak Villa are just nine points away from claiming the divisional title following a hard-earned victory at East Allington United Seconds with a 4-2 scoreline. Jordan Richards was a hat-trick hero, not for the first time this season, and there was a single strike from Ryan Willis. Drake FC and Ashburton fought out a 2-2 draw at Manadon, a result that neither of these two promotion contenders would have wanted. Kameron Pouladge was the man of the match for Ashes with both goals. Ivybridge Town Reserves and Paignton Villa Seconds also shared the points in a 1-1 stalemate and remain just outside the top three. In the divisional cup, Babbacombe Corries progressed at the hands of Paignton Saints Reserves with a one-nil scoreline thanks to Kieron Sweet.

In the Division Three and Four cups, Kingskerswell, Harbertonford, Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves, Ipplepen Athletic Seconds, Galmpton United and Bere Alston Reserves all made it through in their respective divisional cups.

Game to catch this week:

As we enter cup final season, the opener is the Fred Hewings final which serves up a Newton Abbot derby game between Spurs Thirds and ’66 Seconds at Buckfastleigh Rangers on Friday evening with a 7pm kick off. Spurs are the highest ranked team in the knockout competition for reserve teams, but they have not had the best of seasons in Division One, currently sitting at the foot of the table; ’66 have had a decent season in Division Three and currently sit just in fifth place but are typical of any side from ’66 and that is that they are difficult to beat; although there are two divisions between the teams, depending on how the divisions finish, this game could in fact be a league fixture next season. There is plenty of parking, and a full bar and food service will be available.

Enjoy your grassroots cup finals.

Midweek magic for Buckland Athletic at the Rec

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 14th MAR, report by Alastair Muirden.

The Yellows picked up a much needed three points when they made the short trip across town on Wednesday evening.

Goals from Keiron Fletcher, Patrick Marsh and Hugh Stronge won the game, and the bottom of the division is just as close as the top, as it looks to be any two from four for the drop, and the rest of the teams would seem to be promotion contenders.

In fact, Buckland Athletic Reserves carried their mid-week form into the weekend, picking up another three points with a 2-1 win over fellow relegation candidates Watcombe Wanderers in a tetchy affair that moves the Yellows out of the bottom two for the first time in 2026. Liverton United are the team that replace them in the bottom two, and they suffered another big scoreline when they faced Beesands Rovers who put 12 goals past them without reply. The South Hams outfit remain top on goal difference but have played three games more than the other contenders. WBB continue to impress, and a 3-1 win at Elburton Villa Reserves is a good result in anybody’s book and keeps the Claymen well-placed and one of the teams the others need to beat. Jake Cuff, Ryan Clarke and Ashton Sowerby were the target men for Wattsies. The clash between the two pre-season favourites in Mount Gould and Bovey Tracey Reserves ended in a 1-1 draw. The result leaves Bovey with some work to do to catch Wattsies, but Mount Gould are still in with a shout if they turn the games in hand into points. Barton Athletic are also in a bit of form at the moment, and a very tight one-nil result at Paignton Villa allows the Blues to leapfrog Villa into third place and just two points off the leaders (full report on Daves World), and why anybody would want to pay to watch pro football when this standard is available week in, week out, free of charge, is beyond me. Well done to both teams.

If you thought Division One was close, then the Premier Division is a competition that keeps on giving. Both of the bottom two picked up points in the fight for survival. Totnes and Dartington had a credible 1-1 draw with Paignton Saints, and Buckfastleigh Rangers won two-nil at Newton Abbot ’66 after going one up within two minutes thanks to Harrison Russell; they were reduced to ten players on nine minutes when the goalkeeper was sent off for deliberate handball outside the penalty area. The visitors had to dig in at times, and the second goal came late in the game; just after ’66 missed a golden opportunity to level things up, the Greens broke away and Denver Ongeche sealed the points and closed the gap to four points. At the other end of the table, it was business as usual for the league leaders as Windmill cruised to a 6-2 victory over last season’s champions Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds, who now need the Plymouth three to lose twice if they are going to retain the title. One team that has broken the dominance of the Plymouth three are East Allington United. They had a great result with a 2-1 win at True Blues, and by all accounts, both teams were a credit to the SDFL. Ben Tapper and none other than Seth Gloyn were on target for the Pirates. The final Premier Division game between Lakeside and Kingsteignton Athletic was abandoned, due to the worsening state of the pitch, and will be replayed.

Only two league games were played in Division Two, and the basement battle between Upton Athletic and Newton Rovers ended in a 1-1 draw that really does not help either of the teams in the quest for survival at this level as the bottom team Watcombe Wanderers Seconds have given the league a notice of withdrawal, and that will cause some points to be adjusted. Ashburton got back to winning ways with a two-nil win at Ivybridge Town Reserves, and although they are down in seventh place, the games in hand could put them in the top three.

In Division Three, Kingskerswell kept their 100 per cent record intact with a four-nil win over a decent Liverton United Second team, and they are now the only unbeaten team in all the divisions. The bottom two sides, Totnes and Dartington Seconds and Waldon Athletic Seconds, shared a 2-2 draw that neither of these teams wanted, as bottom club Ipplepen Athletic Reserves leapfrogged both of them with a 3-1 win at Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds to record only their second win of the season.

In Division Four, Chudleigh Athletic Seconds are motoring away at the top. This week, it was courtesy of an eight-nil win at home to Newton Rovers Seconds. Teign Village are right on their tails, as they became the first team to inflict a league defeat on Waldon Athletic Thirds. I am told it was not pretty to watch, but the village side were good for their 3-2 victory. Third-placed Paignton Villa Thirds slipped to their heaviest defeat of the season, losing 10-1 to an improving Barton Athletic Second team that wiped out Villa’s positive goal difference in one swoop. Bere Alston United Reserves are also keeping pace with the leaders, and a 6-4 victory over Kingsbridge and Kellaton United, in an entertaining game, keeps their hopes of a promotion alive in the first season in the SDFL. Brixham Town Seconds are also in the mix, and a five-nil win over Paignton Saints Thirds keeps the Fishermen in fifth place with games in hand.

There were some delayed cup ties that were played, and a big well done to South Brent who beat Alphington Thirds by two goals to one to make it into the semi-final of the county Intermediate Cup where they travel to Axminster on 28th March to take on Millwey Rise for a place in the final.

Galmpton United won eight-nil against Broadhempston United to be in the hat for the quarter-final of the Herald Cup, as did Chudleigh Athletic, who had a comfortable afternoon scoring 12 versus Harbertonford in the same competition.

In the Fred Hewings Cup, Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds made it into the semi final with a 3-1 win at East Allington United Seconds to join Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds, Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds and Barton Athletic Seconds in the hat.

Games to catch on Saturday 21st March

In the Premier Division, there is a six-pointer at Totnes and Dartington who host Buckfastleigh Rangers in a game that – should the visitors win – would leave Tots with a lot to do and move Bucky to within a point of Kingsteignton Athletic. Lakeside Athletic will be looking to avenge an early season defeat by Newton Abbot ’66 when Sixes visit the Parkway Social Club, and in years gone bye, Kingsteignton Athletic v Ilsington Villa was a game between two sides in the top three but is now a game between a team in seventh and tenth and both needing points for different reasons.

But my game of the day is the much awaited Division Three fixture between Kingskerswell and Galmpton United at the Kerswell Bowl which has a 2.30 kick-off. A home win should secure another divisional title for ‘Kerswell, but a win for the visitors not only removes the last unbeaten record in the league but would put them six points clear of their rivals.

Enjoy your free grassroots football, and thank you for supporting the TCS South Devon Football League.

newton abbot 66 south devon football league 2025

The first week of spring delivers a full program of fixtures for South Devon’s footballers

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 7th MAR, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot ’66 contributed by SDFL

At the top of the Premier Division, Windmill were at full sail to put their Herald Cup disappointment behind them by moving seven points clear with a comprehensive 6-1 victory at in-form Chudleigh Athletic to send out a ‘catch us if you can’ message to the other contenders; Brodie Simpson continues to find the back of the net for the Plymouth outfit.

The Newton Abbot derby game between Spurs and ’66 (pictured) ended in a sharing of the points with a 1-1 scoreline. The result would have been well received by the west area teams who can still be caught by both Newton Abbot teams if they can turn games in hand into maximum points. Paignton Saints remain just three points off the leading pack albeit having played more games, but a 4-2 win at Buckfastleigh Rangers, thanks to strikes from Cairo Broadway, Brandon Kelly and Mike Hernandez, leaves Rangers adrift at the bottom with Totnes and Dartington who were in Belli Cup action, and they faced a tough test at Lakeside Athletic who scored five goals without reply. In the same cup, Plymouth True Blues progressed courtesy of a close 2-1 win over Kingsteignton Athletic with goals from Bayley Williams and a late penalty from William Stringer. There were also two delayed Herald Cup games that went ahead: East Allington United made the short trip up the Erme Valley to face Division Two side Ivybridge Town Reserves, and it was a worthwhile trip as they progressed into the quarter-finals with a two-nil victory thanks to goals from Finn Bullen. Bovey Tracey Reserves gave up home advantage to get a game played and travelled to near neighbours Ilsington Villa. Bovey will be delighted to put another game behind them in a catch-up season, but a 4-1 win for Villa, thanks to goals from Dan Langford and Jamie Beer, puts the Moorlanders into the next round and keeps their season bubbling away.

In the only league game played in Division One, due to start of the Dartmouth Cup, Barton Athletic moved to within two points of the leading pack with an eight-nil win over a Liverton United side that seem to be imploding. The result keeps the Blues on course for a possible return to the top division. In the division’s Dartmouth Cup, the big shock came at Long Lane where Watcombe Wanderers quickly got over losing their second team during the week by beating one of the favourites Mount Gould by two goals to nil. The visitors ended the game with nine players, following two red cards, and no doubt did not have a pleasant trip back down the A38. Paignton Villa took their good league form into the knockout competition with a comfortable six-nil win at Buckland Athletic Reserves. Charlie Thomas hit a hat-trick, with Seb Knight, Sam Omara and Soliman Yaha finding the back of the Homers Heath net. WBB travelled to Brixham Town for the second week running and went one better than last week when they came away with a three-nil victory to grab a place in the hat for the next round. Cam Gill and Jay Orchard were on target for Wattsies. Two SDFL teams came face to face in the county Senior Cup, and it was Elburton Villa Reserves who came out on top against Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds by two goals to nil to set up a semi-final against Bovey Tracey Reserves or Newton St Cyres at the end of March.

In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries just had the edge to hang on to second place in a league that seems to be a one horse race. A 4-2 win over fellow challengers Ashburton keeps Corries ten points behind Signal Box OV who had a free weekend. Drake FC, who are sitting in mid-table, could still play a part in the promotion race thanks to a seven-nil win at Upton Athletic. The visitors can move to within one point of Corries if they win their games in hand. The Paignton reserve derby game between Saints and Villa ended in a 2-2 draw and both teams sitting at the higher end of mid-table. Interestingly, Saints only have five fixtures remaining; I wonder how many teams would like to be in that position – I could name 20!! Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves progressed into the next round of the division’s knockout courtesy of Watcombe Wanderers Reserves’ withdrawal during the week, and Harbertonford will also be in the hat following a 2-1 victory at Newton Rovers.

At the top of Division Three, Galmpton United have moved six points clear of Kingskerswell, who were on cup duty, following a 3-1 win at a strong Liverton United reserve side. The goals were enough to keep the Greens in pole position, but ‘Kerswell have five games in hand to use to their advantage. Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds continue to be in good form, and their five-nil win over Ipplepen Athletic Reserves keeps the Rams in third place but eight points behind the runaway leaders.

In Division Four, it was first v third at White Rock, and Chudleigh Athletic Seconds ran out 5-1 winners against Paignton Villa Thirds to keep a six-point cushion over local rivals Teign Village, who also picked up maximum points with a 3-1 win over Barton Athletic Reserves. In the division’s knockout competition, Bere Alston United Reserves went through with a 5-3 victory over Brixham Town Seconds, and Kingsbridge and Kellaton United had a good day at the office with a two-nil win over Broadhempston United thanks to Alex Piper, who found the net twice. Waldon Athletic Thirds also scraped through with a 2-1 extra-time win versus Newton Rovers Seconds, and here is the other side of the fixture coin: Waldon Athletic Thirds are still unbeaten in the league but have 15 league games to squeeze in before the end of May, which is 12 playing Saturdays.

Games to catch on Saturday 14th March:

At the time of writing, Plymouth True Blues host East Allington United in a game that could change the look of the top three. Only two points separate the sides, and it will be worth a watch. Also in Plymouth, Windmill face Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves, and having lost at the Rec three weeks ago, they will be looking to get some points from them.

My games of the day are in Division One, where Bovey Tracey Reserves host Mount Gould at the Western Counties ground, and WBB travel to Elburton Villa Reserves. With both teams in good form, something has to give, and Paignton Villa face Barton Athletic in a game neither will want to lose. In Division Two, Ivybridge Town Reserves welcome Ashburton, who will be looking to get back to winning ways, and with both teams as outside contenders, it should be a cracker.

All fixtures are subject to change at the moment due to delayed cup games, so please check on the league’s Full-Time webpage before travelling.

Thank you for supporting grassroots football in South Devon.

the windmill dartmouth cup winners 2025

17 games survived a Friday downpour – and between them notched up 85 goals!

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 28th FEB, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of The Windmill contributed by SDFL

Windmill FC (pictured) extended their lead at the top of the Premier Division to four points when they quickly got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over fellow title contenders Newton Abbot ’66, with goals from Brodie Simpson and Louis Godwin. ’66 now find themselves third from bottom but with enough games in hand to move into second place should they pick up maximum points from them.

True Blues were in cup action against Division Two side Ipplepen Athletic Seconds and the Gers boys made easy work of the game by winning 9-1 and progressing to the next round of the Herald Cup. They stay in second place, but Lakeside Athletic completed a Plymouth one-two-three at the top once again, with a fine four-nil win over Paignton Saints, who slip back into mid-table and are one of five teams with a negative goal difference. The result of the day must be awarded to Chudleigh Athletic for their 5-1 win at Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves; George Davidson, Gavin Hammon, Sam Clarke and Hayden Cox did the damage, but both teams are still considered to be title contenders, although Spurs have lost a bit of ground. It is a great result for Chudleigh who remain a very difficult team to beat. In the basement battle, Kingsteignton Athletic put aside their disappointment of going out of the Herald Cup a week ago to beat Buckfastleigh Rangers by two goals to one thanks to goals from Tom Reeves and Matt Elmore that leaves the visitors and Totnes and Dartington adrift at the bottom.

In Division One, Paignton Villa stay in pole position by virtue of a superior goal difference of just one thanks to a 2-1 home win over bottom club Buckland Athletic Reserves in what is a very tight division and about to get a bit tighter at the bottom as Watcombe Wanderers failed to travel to Mount Gould, gifting them three points and likely to lose three points themselves. Watts Blake Bearne were the big movers in this division, up three places to second with a great two-nil win at Brixham Town thanks to goals from Jay Orchard and Ryan Clarke. Town now drop to fourth following another home reverse that could come back to haunt them, but with only five points separating the top six teams, this division will go to the wire. Beesands Rovers moved back into third place with a comfortable 10-nil win at Liverton United. The transfer of Louis Brace from True Blues back to Beesands went through in the morning of the fixture, and it took him just 14 seconds to pay back the transfer fee by putting the Bees in front. Brad Williams completed a hat-trick and Sid Baker, Joe Craig and Alex Watts also found the net. Liverton were reduced to ten players after just ten minutes when Oli Shelton was carried off with an injury, but he was walking again when the food came out.

Division Two is no longer as close as the other divisions as Signal Box Oak Villa moved 13 points clear with a tough 4-2 win at fellow contenders Ashburton. Callum Austin, Joe Haslem and Jordan Rickards were on target for the Plymouth side who now look unstoppable. East Allington United Reserves moved into third place with a close 2-1 victory over Harbertonford, and Paignton Saints Seconds moved up to fifth place with a two-nil win over Newton Rovers.

Galmpton United are the new leaders of Division Three following a thumping 11-1 win over bottom team Waldon Athletic Reserves who are one of three teams level on four points at the bottom. The Greens are now three points clear of Kingskerswell who remain unbeaten in the league, but ‘Kerswell have four games in hand. Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds showed just how much they have improved this season. A 3-3 draw with Stoke Gabriel TP keeps both teams in the lower part of mid-table and safe from the drop. However, SGTP will be hoping to put their games in hand to good use for a top six finish. In an all-Division Three cup game, Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds made it through to the semi-final of the Fred Hewings Cup with a close 2-1 victory at Totnes and Dartington Seconds. Mark Prowse scored both goals for the Rams who will need to wait for the semi-final draw on 16th March to find out who the opposition will be. Still in the competition, and as a Division One team, Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds are the favourites to lift the trophy. Also through to the semi-final are Barton Athletic Reserves from Division Four. They had a great result thanks to two goals from Alfie Butler that knocked out Division Three side Liverton United Reserves. Simon Ross scored a late consolation for Livvy, but the Blues held out against an experienced team that ran out of steam.

Division Four has a different look at the top as Paignton Villa Thirds moved into second place with a 2-1 win at Kingsbridge and Kellaton United. The result breaks up the Chudleigh Athletic Seconds and Teign Village dominance that has been in place since the start of the season. Brixham Town Seconds have moved up to fifth place and are only seven points from second, with three games in hand, thanks to a 4-1 win versus bottom team Newton Rovers Seconds at Bakers Park. The top six could all feature in the promotion race, and down in seventh place, Waldon Athletic Thirds remain unbeaten but have only played five games, which should be a concern for both league and club.

Games to catch on the first Saturday of spring!!

Some cracking games to watch on Saturday 7th March: In the top division, in-form Chudleigh will come face to face with The Windmill at Kate Brook, and there is a Newton Abbot derby at the Rec when Spurs meet ’66, and in the South Hams, East Allington United welcome Ilsington Villa to Poole Lane. In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries face Ashburton at Long Lane, which could be a game that tilts the favourites to finish in the runners-up spot, and in Division Four, its second versus first at White Rock when Paignton Villa Thirds meet Chudleigh Athletic Seconds.

Most of the divisional cups get started this week, and all fixtures are on the league’s full time webpage and in the relevant cup sections of this website.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

ilsington villa sdfl premier division 2025

49 out of 50 days with rain and just seven games are played – but Ilsington Villa are in seventh heaven

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 21st FEB, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Ilsington Villa contributed by SDFL

The game of the day went ahead at Lewthorne Cross between two teams with title hopes in mind, and it was Ilsington Villa who came out on top against a very good Windmill side by two goals to one, thanks to strikes from George Dixon and Jamie Beer.

The result opens up the division again, and seven of the teams are now within touching distance of the top two if they win their games in hand. Ilsington are one of the seven, and they move into seventh place with four games in hand. The current champions, Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves, continue to fire on all cylinders and a 6-nil win versus bottom of the table Totnes and Dartington puts them into fifth place with two games in hand to make up a seven point deficit. The Totnes team have had an awful first half of the season, and their only win, against Lakeside back in September, must seem a long time ago. Lakeside Athletic gave up home advantage to an improving Buckfastleigh Rangers to get their delayed Herald Cup game played, and the game went as planned for the Plymouth side who returned home with a place in the next round after a 6-2 victory. The other Herald Cup tie played was at Kingsteignton Athletic in front of a big crowd, and on treacle-like conditions, where the visitors were in form East Allington United. They came away with a 2-1 victory in a game that was short on quality mainly due to the conditions and, it has to be said, a lot of missed chances in front of goal. The game was nil-nil at the break, and within six minutes of the second half, East Allington had a two goal lead thanks to Rob Tapper and an unfortunate own goal. The Rams won a penalty in the 80th minute that was tucked away by Ashton Hogarth to give them some hope, but those missed chances continued to haunt them, and the visitors held out to meet Division Two side Ivybridge Town Reserves in the next round.

Barton Athletic stirred the pot in Division One by beating Bovey Tracey Reserves 6-2, and they are now just four points off the top spot and have two games in hand. Bovey stay in seventh place, eight points off the top and with four games in hand. In fact, there are now eight contenders for promotion in this division, and one of them is Elburton Villa Reserves who suffered another postponement and have only played six league games so far and still have 16 to play in the league and an interest in three cups. It is sure to be a busy end of season for them.

In Division Two, it was a weekend of double joy for East Allington United, as their reserves moved up a place to fourth following a 4-nil win at a squelchy Bakers Park which is not famous for surviving wet weather. Goals from Sam Quick, Rob Hutchings and a brace from Aiden Corcoran sealed the points for the Pirates who now only have seven games left to play!!! Another team with the same number of games left to play are Paignton Saints Seconds who beat Harbertonford in a seven goal thriller by the odd goal at Coach Road. Mykytya Chernetski found the net twice, and there were singles for Darren Millea and Mike Hernandez. The result puts Saints into the top half and only five points off of third place with a superior goal advantage.

Devon County Cup Action

Watts Blake Bearne travelled to Tiverton to take on Elmore Seconds in the quarter-final of the Senior Cup which, by the way, has been in the safe hands of a South Devon League club for the past two seasons, and they once again raised their game to beat the mid-Devon side by three goals to two. Strikes from Cam Gill, Fraser Hossack and Sam Stowell ensured a county cup semi-final for Wattsies to look forward too. In the same competition, favourites Mount Gould surprisingly lost at home to South Zeal United by four goals to three, and they can now concentrate on making up some of their games in hand in the league program. South Zeal are they only non-South Devon League club left in the competition and join Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds or Elburton Villa Reserves; Bovey Tracey Reserves and WBB in the semi final.

In the Intermediate Cup, the unthinkable happened when favourites Kingskerswell were beaten by three goals to one at Bampton to leave South Brent as the only South Devon League club with an interest in this competition. They play Alphington Thirds on 28th February at Palstone Park, 2pm KO.

Games to catch on Saturday 28th February

There are some intriguing games this week, and none less than a moorland cup derby at Division One Bovey Tracey Reserves where the visitors are Premier Division Ilsington Villa who will be looking to keep a cup run going. In the top division, Windmill will be hoping to get back to winning ways when Newton Abbot ’66 pay a visit to Millennium Fields, and at the bottom of the division, there is a six-pointer at Broadpark where Kingsteignton Athletic host Buckfastleigh Rangers in a don’t lose game. Two of the top division’s challengers, Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves and Chudleigh Athletic face each other in what should be a great game at the Rec. The top game in Division One is at Abbrook Park where its second versus third; WBB host Paignton Villa, and with both teams level on points, it should be a cracker of a game. Division Two offers what could be two fantastic games to watch, weather permitting: Ashburton welcome top of the table Signal Box Oak Villa to Chuley Road for the first time, and Drake FC host a Babbacombe Corries side looking to get back to winning ways again. In Division Four, Bere Alston United Reserves, in fourth place, host Teign Village in second in a game that will no doubt affect the top three places at the referee’s final whistle.

Enjoy your grassroots football. Spring is just around the corner.

the windmill dartmouth cup winners 2025

17 games finally beat the weather with 11 going ahead on grass!

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 14th FEB, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of The Windmill contributed by SDFL

Only one Premier Division league game went ahead, and it was at Poole Lane where East Allington United moved into third place to disrupt the Plymouth dominance with a hard fought 4-2 win over fellow title contenders Newton Abbot ’66.

Ben Tapper scored a brace, there was an unfortunate own goal, and a special mention to Finn Bullen who also got on the scoresheet to notch up his 147th goal in his 150th appearance. The result was not a disaster for Sixes, as they remain within touching distance of second place if they win their five games in hand.

Two league games were played in Division One, with Brixham Town returning to pole position with a payback win against Beesands Rovers by four goals to one, and with just two points separating the top four teams, this, like other divisions, will go to the wire. Mount Gould also got a game played, and a 3-nil win versus bottom club Buckland Athletic Rerserves sees them into fifth place with four games in hand; Bentley Alcantara was a hat-trick hero, and the home team were full of praise for the way the visitors approached the game and stated that Buckland were one of the better teams they have played this season, and they could do with a win to give them some confidence for what’s left of the season.

In Division Two, every team bar Watcombe Wanderers played a game, and in the league, the top two fixture turned out to be a one-sided affair, with Signal Box Oak Villa running rampant against Babbacombe Corries with a 7-1 win to move ten points clear at the top. On target for Villa were Joseph Haslem and Jake Cribb (two apiece), with singles from Bobby Stone, Coy Breirley and Keiron Roberts. Corries remain in second with a game in hand and will be hoping that Ashburton, in eighth place, can use their five games in hand to inflict a defeat on the leaders to open it up again. Drake FC got back to winning ways with a close 2-nil win over Paignton Villa Seconds and remain as contenders with two games in hand and just seven points from Corries. Ivybridge Town Reserves hold on to third place, thanks to a bruising 8-nil win over Newton Rovers at Erme Valley, and are two points behind Corries having played two more games. Paignton Saints Reserves had a good result on the day. A 4-1 win at Coach Road versus East Allington United Reserves moves Saints into the bottom of a mid-table group of teams that can beat any team on their day, and I am sure there are more rollercoaster results to come in this division.

In Division Three, just two league games went ahead, and perennial underachievers Stoke Gabriel TP Reserves moved away from the bottom three with a comfortable 6-nil win versus Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds. The result leaves Stoke with five games in hand and within touching distance of second place if they can win them. Rangers remain in seventh place in a division that seems to be split in two halves. Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves moved into fourth place with a 3-nil win over bottom team Waldon Athletic Reserves. Goals from squad players Tom Reeves, Kelsey Leach and Ashley Hayworth keeps the Rams in contention in a division where somebody needs to beat the two runaway leaders to open it up.

At the top of Division Four, Chudleigh Athletic Seconds extended their lead to six points as a result of beating Broadhempston United by eight goals to one. They were also assisted by Paignton Villa Thirds who beat Teign Village by two goals to one, in a scrappy affair, and move within one point of Village into third place. Another contender at the moment are Bere Alston Reserves who had a walkover as Paignton Saints Thirds could not raise a team for the fixture; that leaves Alston just two points from Village, but Brixham Town Seconds, Barton Athletic Seconds and Waldon Athletic Thirds, who are still unbeaten, all have games in hand to have a final say in where this division’s honours will end up.

There were seven cup ties that either survived the rain or were played on an artificial pitch, and they all went with the form book.

In the Torbay Clearance Services-sponsored Herald Cup, the biggest scoreline of the day belonged to Ipplepen Athletic Seconds who put 13 goals past Upton Athletic and end this season’s cup hopes for the Torquay side, and Elburton Villa Reserves saw off the challenge from Harbertonford by six goals to nil in a game that was played at Plymstock School. There were two other fixtures that paired teams from different divisions, and Galmpton United (Division Three) gave Windmill (Premier, pictured) a real fright, but the Plymouth-based team got over the line with a 3-2 victory and a reason to celebrate their place in the quarter-final. WBB (Division One) switched their tie against Ashburton (Division Two) to the Ashmoor 3g at South Dartmoor School, and they needed an 85th minute penalty to seal the game. Ashes gave up a 2-nil lead, but a second-half hat-trick from substitute Jake Cuff sees the Claymen into their second cup quarter-final this season.

The Fred Hewings Cup is also at the quarter-final stage, and the highest-ranked reserve team left in the competition, Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds, are safely through with a 5-nil win over Brixham Town Seconds thanks to goals from Zak Carnell, Oliver Bellotti, Nik Garrett and Frank Oyrnik. Joining them are Totnes and Dartington Seconds who enjoyed a 5-nil win over Newton Rovers Seconds. There was a hat-trick for Owen Osman, with singles from Jake Osman and Jordan Baxter. The teams won’t have long to wait for the quarter-finals, as they are fixtured for 21st February.

Games to catch on Saturday 21st February:

Match of the day is at Lewthorne Cross, where Ilsington Villa will be looking to close the gap on visitors Windmill in what should be a great advert for the league. Elsewhere, Chudleigh Athletic face Newton Abbot ’66 who will be looking to get back to winning ways, and in the Herald Cup, Kingsteignton Athletic and East Allington United will have some deja vu when they meet at 2pm. There will also be more of that at Long Lane, when Babbacombe Corries meet Signal Box for the second week running and will be looking to put up a better show than last week. In Division Four, Bere Alston United host Chudleigh Athletic Seconds, and Teign Village face Brixham Town Seconds in what should be two great games.

Finally, the SDFL have a number of teams looking to progress in county cups, and all are at the quarter-final stage. WBB travel to Tiverton to play Elmore Seconds, Mount Gould face South Zeal, and in the same competition, Elburton Villa travel to Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds in an all-SDFL tie. In the Intermediate Cup, Kingskerswell travel up the North Devon link road to face Bampton, and in the same cup, South Brent welcome Alphington Thirds to Palstone Park. Good luck to all of the SDFL teams in the county cups.

League games start at 2.30pm. Cup games start at 2pm.

Enjoy your grassroots football!

newton abbot spurs reserves

Clubs think outside the box to get games played

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 31st JAN, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves contributed by SDFL

Devon Premier Cup quarter-final

The last SDFL survivors in the county Premier Cup, Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds (pictured), made the trip to Step 7 club Alphington on Thursday evening to play the twice-postponed fixture on the 3g at Exwick, and in the end they just fell short. Goals from Matt Williams and Lewis Jordain-Garner were not enough against the team sitting at the top of the Devon League, and the Exeter side were able to find the net on five occasions leaving the final four teams in the competition all coming from Step 7, and all four could be playing at Step 6 SWPL next season. So well done to Spurs and Ilsington Villa from the Torbay Clearance Services League for reaching the quarter-finals.

Again. the weather spoiled the weekend’s grassroots program making play impossible on grass, and with only four games surviving this week’s storm, Windmill FC became the latest team to hire a 3g pitch to get a game played, and with Chudleigh Athletic the visitors to Ivybridge School, it pitched the two teams in the top division with the meanest defences having both conceded just 12 goals each so far this season. The game, as expected, turned out to be a tight and messy affair; it ended with a 2-1 win for the home team thanks to goals from Miles Hunt and Jack Briscoe, which takes them one point ahead of True Blues at the top of the Premier Division, and for the first time in the league’s history, Plymouth-based teams hold the top three places, as Lakeside Athletic came away from Coach Road with all three points in a very entertaining game versus Paignton Saints. The final result was 3-2, but Saints will be kicking themselves. Had it not been for their missed goalscoring chances, the outcome could have been very different. However, Lakeside can also claim a host of missed chances, but they will be pleased to get David Moore, who scored a brace, and JJ Honeywell back in goal-scoring form and completing a Plymouth one, two and three for the end of January. The only disappointment for the visitors would have been to finish the game with ten players courtesy of a last minute sin bin. Strangely enough, the biggest challengers to the top three currently sit in sixth, seventh and eight place with a number of games in hand, and if they could only get them played, the division should open up again.

In Division Two, Signal Box Oak Villa have opened up a seven point lead at the top albeit having played more games. A 5-3 victory at the Manadon 3g over close neighbours Ivybridge Town Reserves, thanks to goals from Callum Austin, Harley Mitchell, Bobby Stone and a brace for Finley Demsey Comerford, sees Villa extend their lead to realistically leave Corries and Ashburton as their main challengers at the moment.

In Division Four, Teign Village managed to keep the pressure on the leaders with a close 2-1 win versus Paignton Saints Thirds at South Devon College 3g (full report on Daves World). Goals from Alex Easson and Tom Beer sealed the points for the village team in a division that is looking like a two horse race depending on what unbeaten Waldon Athletic Thirds can do with their games in hand.

Games to hopefully catch on Saturday 7th February:

The Third Round of the Herald Cup, kindly sponsored by Torbay Clearance Services, has produced some belters as cup ties go.

There is a moorland derby at Mill Marsh Park (river levels permitting), where Premier Division Ilsington Villa play an in form Bovey Tracey Reserves from Division One. Division Three side Galmpton United host Premier Division side Windmill, who will need to be at their best to beat a team that are upwardly mobile. And then there are two virtual local derbies: Lakeside Athletic face a Buckfastleigh Rangers side with a large Cornish contingent, and Paignton Saints welcome Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves to their Coach Road ground in a fixture that will definitely go ahead. Harbertonford may have to switch their game to Elburton Villa to get it played. Having seen the amount of water on the pitch, I don’t think the RNLI will allow it to be played at the Steve Jane ground.

In the league’s Division Two, Ashburton travel to Ivybridge Town Reserves, and with both teams looking for promotion, it could be a great game.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

tom reeves kingsteignton athletic v joey burton windmill herald cup final 2022

8 Games survive a wet week and an explosive situation in South Devon

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 17th JAN, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Tom Reeves ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR

Just eight games managed to survive not only a wet week in South Devon but an explosive situation uncovered by a player in Plymouth.

Plymouth True Blues continue to lead the way at the top of the Premier Division, A single strike from Dylan Holgate was just enough to get past a dogged performance from Paignton Saints at Millbay Park; True Blues’ lead at the top remains at two points as they move into the second phase of their fixtures. Not only were they concerned about the game going ahead due to the weather, one of their players, Caleb Needham, just happened to be part of the team that uncovered an unexploded World War Two bomb that was inside the exclusion zone set up by the bomb squad. Fortunately, it was dealt with, and the exclusion was lifted on Friday.

Whilst there are still five teams that can surpass True Blues with maximum points from their games in hand, Windmill FC are best placed, at the moment, to win that race following an impressive 5-1 win at East Allington United. Brodie Simpson and Jack Briscoe both scored a brace, and former golden boot winner Corbin Mackin scored a single to keep the Plymouth side two points behind the leaders with three games in hand.

Buckfastleigh Rangers won a league game for the first time since 18th October, but what a big win it was. A 2-1 home result against Kingsteignton Athletic moves them to within four points of the Rams who, from nowhere, seem to have been dragged into a relegation battle. Tom Reeves (pictured) scored for the visitors, but it was two goals from Lewis Clarke that sealed the game for Buckfastleigh who will be looking to use their newfound confidence wisely.

The five teams that can overtake the leaders with games in hand are Windmill FC, Lakeside, Newton Abbot ’66, Chudleigh Athletic and Ilsington Villa, and not to forget that Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves and East Allington United can get within two points of them, which sets the division up for a cracking second half of the season.

In Division One, only one game beat the weather, and it was the turn of Barton Athletic to heap more disappointment on Brixham Town who, just three games ago, were looking towards the Premier Division. This week’s set back was a 5-nil home defeat, and goals from Oakley Hunt, Dom Lavalee, Eden Cresswell Cluer and Louie Roberts sealed a great win for the Blues and keeps them in contention with games in hand. Town remain one point off the lead in what is a compacted top four, and with four other teams just outside the pack, this is going to go to the wire with some great six-pointers to look forward too.

No league games survived in Division Two, so it’s as you were with Signal Box Oak Villa in pole position, four points ahead of unbeaten Babbacombe Corries. Ivybridge Town Reserves, Ashburton and Drake FC are the most likely teams to spoil the party for the top two in the attempt to reach Division One next term.

In Division Three, Galmpton United moved level on points with the leaders Kingskerswell with a comfortable 7-1 win against an improving Buckfastleigh Rangers second team. A hat-trick for Harley Hooper and singles from Harrison Arnold, Greg Hindom, Max Prestwood and Austin White was a good payback for club stalwart and groundsman Mike Drew who, having picked his moments during the wet weather to prepare the pitch to a level that allowed a footballing side to play the way they did, deserves a shout out. Well done Mike, and thank you for what you do for South Devon League football.

The division is looking like a two horse race at the moment, but South Brent, Liverton United Reserves, Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds and Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds all have games in hand; but the top two are the two to beat.

Two league games went ahead in Division Four, and Chudleigh Athletic Seconds moved six points clear at the top with an unconvincing 2-1 success at Kingsbridge and Kellaton United. It took a double strike from Jack Salmons to win a game that the home team deserved at least a point from. Paignton Villa Thirds moved into third place with a fine 7-1 victory in the derby game versus Paignton Saints Thirds; Lucas Burgess was the star of the show with four goals, and Martin McHugh weighed in with a hat-trick that leaves the young Villa team in a good place.

County Cup Reports:

Ilsington Villa bowed out of the county Premier Cup against Step 7 side Plymouth Marjon by four goals to one. Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves’ quarter-final game versus Alphington was postponed and will be played on 24th January, and the winners will join the remaining three Step 7 teams in the semi-finals.

The situation in the Senior Cup for SDFL teams is a lot better, and remember, the SDFL has produced the last two winners of the competition. Bovey Tracey Reserves, Mount Gould, Drake FC, WBB, Paignton Villa, Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds and Elburton Villa Reserves all have to play for a place in the quarter-finals this week.

Still representing the SDFL in the Intermediate Cup are Kingskerswell and South Brent. ‘Kerswell had a good 2-nil win at Bow, and Brent won a real tussle of a game 5-3 at home to Putford.

Games to catch on Saturday 24th January:

There are two stand-out games in the Premier Division this week and, depending on the outcome, could give two of the teams a mountain to climb to get back into the race for the title or just open the whole division up for grabs.

Ilsington Villa take on Windmill FC at Lewthorne Cross in a fixture that should show the very best of grassroots football, and in Newton Abbot, ’66 play True Blues; that is sure to be full of incident.

In Division One, Brixham Town face another stiff test, as Liverton United pay a visit to the seaside looking to upset the Fishermen.

In Division Two, all eyes will be on Ashburton to see if they can slow the progress of Babbacombe Corries and join them in the top three with a win, and Kingskerswell host third-placed Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds who will hope to be the first team to win a league game at the Kerswell Bowl. Over in Torquay, there should be an interesting game at Barton Downs, where Barton Reserves host Bere Alston United in a fixture that has both teams looking to stay in touch of the leading two who just happen to meet at The Village: Teign Village versus Chudleigh Athletic Seconds is the much-awaited game in Division Four and should be a great advert for grassroots football and a real six-pointer.

Enjoy your grassroots football.