No Quarter: Division Two leaders Torquay Town dispatched Division One side Paignton Villa from the Herald Cup. © Al Macphee/MiraclePR

Ilsington Villa and Newton Rovers delivered the biggest Herald Cup upsets last Saturday, the Division Two sides both dumping out Premier Division opponents to make the last 16.

Villa were entertaining Salcombe Town and raced into a two goal lead, courtesy of goals from top scorer Dan Langford and Jack Dixon. The Crabs responded well and were back on level terms by the break, Lee Morgan and Samuel Inch on target. With no goals in the second half, the game went into extra time. Matt Warman then sent the third tier side through, slipping in between the Salcombe centre half and goalkeeper to score the winner.

Newton Rovers’ win was even sweeter as they were hosting local rivals Newton Abbot ’66. Ben French scored the only goal of the game to set up a Third Round tie at Brixham AFC Reserves.

Brixham conceded four the last time they hosted fellow Premier Division side Elburton Villa Reserves, but there was to be no repeat of that seven goal thriller in the cup. The Fishermen kept a clean sheet and scored three times to progress.

League leaders Buckfastleigh Rangers knocked out Division One side Chudleigh Athletic Reserves at the Duckspond. Charlie Morgan, Curtis Wood and Josh Zimmerman each found the net in a 3-1 victory, with Matthew Williams responding for Chudleigh. Rangers will travel to Broadpark in the last 16 to face current Division One leaders Kingsteignton Athletic. Mark Voisey and Chris Barnett were among the goals as the Rams defeated Division Three outfit Totnes and Dartington Reserves 4-2, Jake Osman and Scott Troth with Tots’ goals.

Finley Bullen put away a hat-trick as East Allington put Upton Athletic to the sword at Armada Park. Josh Pascoe scored twice, Upton put through their own net and there were singles from Mattias Bodman, Fred Massey, Josef Sita and Rob Tapper as the Pirates won 10-0. Their next round opponents will be either The Windmill or Meadowbrook Athletic who face off in an all-Premier battle this Saturday.

Watts Blake Bearne also scored ten as the Claymen dispatched Division Three opponents Bishopsteignton United 10-1 at Abbrook Park. Cam Gill led the scoring with four goals, and he was joined on the score-sheet by Sam Stowell, who scored twice, Matt Battishill, Cianan Breen, Billy Clinch and Mike Tapper. Wattsies have been drawn away to Harbertonford in the Third Round.

Daniel Ahearn was the cup hero for Ivybridge Town Reserves as they successfully negotiated a tricky tie away at Division One side Waldon Athletic. Ahearn scored the only goal of the game to set up another away tie at Division Two leaders Torquay Town.

That will please Torquay’s Matt Waye who was eager for his team to be drawn against ‘one of the big boys’ after his headed goal clinched the victory against Paignton Villa.

Town took the lead in the tenth minute, Curtis Booth curling in a powerful shot at the near post. But Villa deservedly went in level at the break, Joe Windsor tapping home the rebound after Scott Corderoy had saved Graham Mercieca’s low drive.

“We were a bit lethargic first half, and we just weren’t competitive enough,” admitted Waye. “We had a word at half time and said we needed to be a yard quicker. The lads did it. I’ll take my hat off to them, they put a shift in.”

Torquay started the second half on the front foot and should have taken the lead ten minutes in, one of their players missing an empty net by heading over the bar. Corderoy was then forced to claw the ball away from under his crossbar before Town took the lead again. Liam Ford’s pinpoint cross unlocked the Villa defence and up rose Waye to head home.

“It was a stretch to get to the ball before the goalkeeper,” laughed Waye. “I’m 45 this year and have been playing local football since I was 16. I’m still enjoying it, and can still compete with the younger lads.

“We’re just a bunch of old lads who want to enjoy our football. We got back together this year and are doing really well.”

With 20 minutes left to play, the game was far from over, and the spectators were treated to some entertaining football. But when Villa wasted a gilt-edged chance to equalise with four minutes remaining, the writing was on the wall.

“I think we played the better football,” said Waye. “They had a couple of chances, nothing major, but we should have scored a couple more I think. We’ll have a few beers tonight and enjoy it. We’ll play anybody next. Nobody wants to lose to us, that’s the biggest thing. We’re looking forward to it.”

Villa will be hoping to bounce back quickly as they face rivals Paignton Saints Reserves in the league this week. Saints returned from Teign Village triumphant on Saturday, Brandon Kelly, Jake Powell and Danny Rainbow on target in a 3-1 win; Mike Turner scored the Quarrymen’s consolation. Saints have been drawn away to the winners of this Saturday’s tie between Galmpton United and Bovey Tracey Reserves.

Familiar foes Ilsington Villa and Babbacombe Corinthians will lock horns again in the Third Round. Corries enjoyed a 7-2 win over Ipplepen Athletic Reserves with Harry Denby scoring a hat-trick and Alex Chamberlain, Tom Coulson, Curtis Marshall and Daniel Orchard also finding the net.

There was also a hat-trick for Jack Cousins as Division Two side Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Development secured a 4-2 win at South Brent from Division Four. Mark Newman also notched for the Bees with Will Poundall and Jamie Soper on target for Brent.

The guaranteed Division Three spot went to Broadhempston United who picked up their first win of the season away at Kingsbridge and Kellaton United. Sam Caunter and Aaron West celebrated goals for the Robins.

There was just the one TCS SDFL Premier Division game. Marc Hagland and Callum Nightingale scored for Galmpton in a 2-2 home draw against Meadowbrook. Adam Biggs and Liam Collings scored for Brook.

Mine’s a Beer: Tom scores twice for Teign Village who warmed up for their Herald Cup tie against Paignton Saints Reserves with a 4-1 victory over Broadhempston United in Division Three. ©Derek Castree.

Four points separate the top three in the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division after last weekend’s fixtures.

Buckfastleigh Rangers were hoping to extend their lead with a win at Elburton Villa Reserves, but Haye Road was deemed unplayable. Brixham AFC Reserves took the opportunity to close the gap with a narrow 3-2 win at Watts Blake Bearne. Another hard fought game, at the Dorothy Elmhirst ground, saw East Allington United emerge with a 2-1 win to climb to third spot, Fin Bullen with both goals for the Pirates.

The Windmill FC romped to a 12-0 victory at home to Barton Athletic to make it four wins in a row for the Plymouth-based outfit. There were braces from Carlton Allen, Sam Doyle, Rhys Walton and Aaron Johns.

Ryan McNaught scored the only goal of the game for Ivybridge Town Reserves as they returned from Galmpton United with the points.

In Division One, a Bradley Williams double helped Beesands Rovers to a 2-1 triumph at leaders Kingsteignton Athletic, the Rams’ first defeat of the season. Second-placed Waldon Athletic gained ground as Upton Athletic were unable to raise a side.

Unbeaten Paignton Saints Reserves are now eight points clear of fourth placed Ashburton following a 7-4 win over Kingskerswell and Chelston at Coach Road. The Ashes lost out 5-1 at Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves, Brett Easterbrook scoring twice, and there was also a 5-1 success for Chudleigh Reserves against Harbertonford.

Division Two side Torquay Town warmed up for their home Herald Cup tie against Division One’s Paignton Villa by beating Villa’s Reserves 5-0 away, Simon Ross with two goals. Town take over at the top of Division Two as Ilsington dropped their first points of the season, coming back from 2-1 down at home to Babbacombe Corinthians to draw 2-2. Harry Denby and Kieran Sweet scored the goals for Corries with Stephen Hobbs and Matthew Teague responding for Villa. Babbacombe’s next game is at home to fellow Division Two side Ipplepen Athletic Reserves in the Herald Cup.

Newton Rovers are now four points off the top three after they won 3-1 at Ipplepen. Kevin Smith found the net twice for Stoke Gabriel Development who won their first game since October, beating Barton Athletic Reserves 5-0 away. Stoke travel to South Brent in the Herald Cup.

Elsewhere, Dartmouth AFC Reserves enjoyed a 2-0 win at East Allington United Reserves, while Watcombe Wanderers Reserves went down 3-2 at Chuley Road to Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds.

Brixham Town are still holding on to the lead in Division Three following their 3-1 home win over Galmpton United Reserves, Seve Sanders with a brace. Next up for Town are second-placed Watts Blake Bearne Reserves who hold the league’s last remaining 100% record. WBB cruised to a 9-0 victory at Torquay Town Reserves on Saturday, Matt Elmore with four goals. Sam Bridge put away a hat-trick for third placed Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves as they ran out 4-0 winners over Bishopsteignton.

Teign Village, who will host Paignton Saints Reserves in the Herald Cup, picked up three league points by beating Broadhempston United 4-1 at Headlands, Tom Beer with a brace. Broadhempston will travel to Kingsbridge and Kellaton United in their cup tie. Kingsbridge drew 3-3 with Liverton United Reserves in the league. Totnes and Dartington Reserves suffered a 6-1 home loss against Chudleigh Athletic Thirds. They face a daunting trip to Kingsteignton Athletic in the cup.

Essam’s The Man: Shane terrorises Newton Rovers Reserves at Windmill Hill with a hat-trick for Waldon Athletic Reserves in Division Four. ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR

Rain and COVID played havoc with the first Torbay Clearance Services South Devon League fixtures of 2022, with a grand total of five games taking place across the divisions last Saturday.

The Premier Division’s only game was at Paignton Community College, on the 3G surface, where the bottom two sides battled it out for some much-needed points. Doubles from Liam Collings and Thomas Comyn helped Meadowbrook Athletic to a 5-2 win over Barton Athletic, despite Brook finishing the game with ten men following the sending off of goalkeeper Dave Carroll. Having conceded 61 goals in their last three games, Barton can take some comfort from this relatively narrow defeat. Meadowbrook climb several places in the table and end a run of four successive defeats.

In Division Two, Paignton Villa Reserves took on Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Development on the artificial pitch at South Devon College. The home side took a 4-1 lead with debutant Jack Wilkinson, the returning George Jones, Ashley Beetschen and George Davidson each finding the net. Stoke came back though, to win themselves a point, their goals provided by Mark Newman, Colin Brown, Benn Russel and Sam Healey. “We started the game fantastically,” said Villa manager Sam Cogger. “Every single player played their part in us taking a 3-1 lead at half time with a dominant performance.

“Overall frustrating afternoon against a blend of ALL the Torbay Police teams, where we should have come out with the three points. We really will be a force for the second half of the season.”

Third placed Babbacombe Corinthians will also be looking forward to a productive 2022 as they won 6-1 against Ipplepen Athletic Reserves at Windmill Hill. Curtis Clarke scored a brace and was joined on the score-sheet by Sean Coulson, Harry Denby, Ryan Mellish and substitute Daniel Orchard. In a twist of fate, Corries were also drawn at home to Ipplepen Reserves in the Second Round of the Herald Cup, so Pens will have a chance to make up for their loss in a week’s time.

On the other pitch at Windmill Hill, Waldon Athletic Reserves enjoyed a comfortable win over Newton Rovers Reserves in Division Four. Shane Essam was in fine form and opened the scoring after just 11 minutes, firing home from the edge of the box. 11 minutes later, Charlie Clarke’s low shot found the bottom right corner despite the Rovers’ goalkeeper getting a glove to it. Essam then scored his second, on 39 minutes, dispatching the ball into the bottom left. Waldon could have scored more before the break, but it remained 3-0 until the last ten minutes. Essam then rose at the far post to head home his hat-trick before two wonder strikes in three minutes saw Clarke and Stephen Rohan complete a 6-0 victory. The first was a rocket into the top left, the second a direct free-kick into the top right.

In the other Division Four game, William Allen put away a hat-trick for Watcombe Wanderers Thirds in a 4-3 home victory over Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves. Corey Price also found the net for the Greens with Charlie Charlesworth, Jonty Kingston and Simon Mills scoring for Corries. This time, Babbacombe will have a shot at revenge as they return to Long Lane in the Fred Hewings Cup Second Round in a fortnight.

A Point Gained: Broadhempston United picked up their second point of the season with a 2-2 draw at home to Liverton United Reserves in Division Three. © Derek Castree

Buckfastleigh Rangers will go into 2022 as leaders of the Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League Premier Division after last Saturday’s 6-1 victory over Meadowbrook Athletic, a win that saw Rangers move four points clear of second-placed Brixham AFC Reserves. Brixham have a game in hand.

Ryan Lucassi moved on to 14 goals with a hat-trick, and he was joined on the score-sheet by Charlie Morgan, Steve Sutton and Josh Zimmerman. Thomas Comyn scored a consolation for Meadowbrook.

The only other game was at Paignton Community College where bottom club Barton Athletic shipped 20 for the third game in a row. Salcombe Town were the benefactors this week, especially Ashley Yeoman whose nine goals lifted him to the top of the division’s goalscorers’ chart. Charlie Barnes scored five for the Crabs and Lee Morgan four, with Jake Favis and Ben Tapper managing one apiece.

In Division One, unbeaten Kingsteignton Athletic are four points clear with a game in hand following a 4-2 win away at Harbertonford, Mark Voisey with a hat-trick. Tom Reeves also found the net for the Rams, with captain Ash Furnivall and Hadyn Sibley on target for the hosts. Kingsteignton extended their lead thanks to a 1-1 draw between Waldon Athletic and Paignton Saints Reserves at Windmill Hill, Jacob Knapman and Rob Gorvin trading goals. Saints are yet to lose a game.

Paignton Villa’s purple patch continues. They made it three wins on the bounce on Saturday by beating Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves 4-2 at the South Devon Sports Centre. Tom Parvin netted twice for Villa, with Josh Washbrook and Richard Malone also scoring for the home side. Rangers’ goals came from Liam Yeates and Samuel Cook.

In Division Two, East Allington United Reserves battled out a 3-3 draw with second-placed Torquay Town. Finley Bullen, Finn Bullingham and Rob Hutchings scored for the Pirates with Curtis Booth, Simon Ross and Pete Summerfield on target for Town. Ilsington Villa, who didn’t play, are still four points clear with a 100 per cent record, but have yet to play Torquay.

The game between Babbacombe Corinthians and Newton Rovers also ended three apiece, Curtis Marshall with a brace for Corries. This result left the door open for Watcombe Wanderers Reserves to move up into the top three following their 9-2 home win over Barton Athletic Reserves; William Allen scored a hat-trick from the bench in that game.

Rhys Morrallee doubled up for Dartmouth AFC Reserves as they pulled off a decent 3-0 home win over Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds, Josh Bruckner with the other goal. Ipplepen Athletic Reserves enjoyed a 2-1 win away at Paignton Villa Reserves.

In Division Three, Josh Piper and Dalton Sanders scored for Brixham Town in a narrow 2-1 win at Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves, Ryan Thompson with the Sixes’ contribution. Town move one point above Watts Blake Bearne Reserves who didn’t play. WBB have a game spare though.

A second half brace from Will Baker and an Ollie Groves goal saw Galmpton United Reserves ramp up the pressure on the top three with a 3-0 win over Paignton Saints Thirds.

Broadhempston United are yet to win in the league, but they did pick up their second point of the season by drawing 2-2 at home to Liverton United Reserves. Niel Ford dispatched both goals for the Robins, with Calum Ford and Charlie Roberts scoring for Liverton.

Christian Williams scored twice for Chudleigh Athletic Thirds in a tight 3-2 win over Totnes and Dartington Reserves. Jack Salmons also scored for Athletic, who have won two on the bounce. Jake Osman and Billy Bartlett found the net for Tots.

In Division Four, Waldon Athletic enjoyed a 5-1 win at Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves, Stephen Rohan scoring twice and Michael Rohan, Lee Henriques and Nathan Hardacre also on target; Tobie Scott responded for the Rams. The Clarets are nine points behind leaders Bovey Tracey Reserves, who didn’t play, but have three games in hand.

Brixham Town Reserves hold on to third spot with a 3-3 home draw against Ivybridge Town Development. Alister George doubled up for Town with Alex McKerrell also scoring. Craig Brenton, Kai Burrell and Shaun Jones hit the back of the net for the Ivies who finished the game with ten men, Lawson Turpin sent off.

South Brent are now just a point off third place following their 4-2 victory at Watcombe Wanderers Thirds. Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves picked up three points with a 2-1 triumph away at Newton Rovers Reserves.

Although the league has given teams the opportunity to request a fixture for this weekend, there are currently no games scheduled until January 8th

Late Blow: Teign Village battled hard before succumbing to a late goal in the A&S Paving Devon Intermediate Cup. ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR

With the top two in cup action, and Watts Blake Bearne’s trip to Salcombe rained off, last Saturday presented a chance for some of the chasers to close the gap in the TCS South Devon Football League.

East Allington United took full advantage, scoring five without reply at home to Meadowbrook Athletic to move up to third. Finley Bullen scored a hat-trick and there were also goals from Finlay Watson and former Brook player Ben Bowhay.

Elburton Villa Reserves and The Windmill also increased the pressure with victories. Elburton scored 20 against bottom club Barton Athletic witth Corbin Mackin and Cody Jones scoring half of the goals between them. Scott Allen, Sam Lang, Billy Tedder-Hart and Aaron Weeks each scored braces with Harrison Jones and Ryan Waterschoot also making the score sheet.

Carlton Allen, Andrew Crowmac and Ashley Walker netted for The Windmill at Erme Valley in a 3-0 win over Ivybridge Town Reserves. The Windmill have now won three on the bounce.

Two goals in five minutes, from Steve Bowker and Tom Kelly, gave Galmpton United a 2-0 half-time lead against Newton Abbot ’66. Further strikes from Bowker and Kelly after the break, plus a Marc Hagland goal, saw the Greens wrap up a 5-1 victory, Tom Lowe with the visitors’ effort.

Ryan Lucassi and Tom Moody put Buckfastleigh Rangers 2-1 up at the Furzebrake in the Devon Premier Cup, but hosts Beer Albion turned the tables on the south Devon side and progressed to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 win, Josh French scoring twice.

The SDFL’s other Premier Cup hope, Brixham AFC Reserves, also exited the competition. The Fishermen were leading 1-0 at the break but two goals in four minutes saw Devon Football League opponents Alphington make it through to the last eight.

There will be SDFL representation in the quarter finals of the Devon Senior Cup thanks to Kingsteignton Athletic’s penalty shoot out win over St Martins Reserves. Despite a double from Aaron Paget and singles from Sam Barnes and Oliver Teague, the teams were inseparable. The penalty shoot out was also very close but The Rams squeaked through 8-7.

The one guaranteed quarter final spot went to fellow Division One outfit Chudleigh Athletic Reserves. Division Two opponents Ilsington Villa failed to recover from a poor start which saw them go three goals and one man down, Jack Langford seeing red. Dan Langford scored twice and Matt Warman also found the net but the game finished 6-3 courtesy of a Gavin Hammon hat-trick and strikes from Joe Potter, Ben Stephenson and Matthew Williams.

Elsewhere, Kingskerswell and Chelston were sent packing by Topsham Town Reserves, soundly beaten 10-1

Teign Village suffered late heartache in the Devon Intermediate Cup as they succumbed to a scrappy stoppage time goal to bow out at home to St Thomas Social Club. In an even game, with few chances, the visitors made the most of a late flurry of corners to make it through, Declan Vowden with the decider.

An eventful game at Windmill Hill saw Waldon Athletic make it through at the expense of Hartland Clovelly Reserves. Shane Essam put the Clarets one up at the break and they put the game to bed in the seecond half with Adam Townsend scoring twice and Josh Briscomb, Charlie Clarke and Michael Rohan also finding the net in a 6-0 triumph. Both sides ended the game a man light.

With Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves dumped out 3-1 at Lifton, Waldon and Ivybridge Town Development, who had already made it through, will fly the flag for the SDFL in the quarter-finals.

Back to the league and Waldon Athletic would have fancied their chances of reclaiming top spot in Division One but fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat at Paignton Villa, Richard Malone and Ash Beetschen with the goals. Paignton Saints stay third as hosts Upton Athletic were unable to raise a side.

In Division Two, a close 2-1 victory by Torquay Town over Newton Rovers saw them keep up the pressure on leaders Ilsington.

In Division Three, Cam Gill, Jake Moore and Samuel Pearce found the net for leaders Watts Blake Bearne Reserves as they maintained their 100 per cent record with a 3-0 win at Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves. Second-placed Brixham Town are still unbeaten following their 3-1 victory at Kingsbridge and Kellaton United, Seve Sanders scoring twice and Macauley Dallow on target.

In Division Four, Ivybridge Town Development picked up an impressive point at leaders Bovey Tracey Reserves, battling out a 3-3 draw. Second-placed Brixham Town Reserves fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat at home to Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves.