SEVENTH HEAVEN: Torbay Police cruise into the last 16 of the Herald Cup with a 7-0 victory over Kingsteignton Reserves. (c) MiraclePR

WBW (Solicitors) SDFL leaders Torbay Police cruised through to the last sixteen of the Herald Cup with a 7-0 victory at Broadpark against Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves.

The Rams’ first team were finalists last season but their second string couldn’t follow in their footsteps despite holding the Bees to a goalless first half. Wayne Pearce played a blinder between the sticks for the home side and when he stepped up to save Sonwabile Mlenze’s penalty, it looked like it might be a frustrating afternoon for the favourites.

After the break, the Police finally made their chances count with Max Prestwood and substitute Marc Hagland scoring two apiece and the other goals put away by Liam Walton, Dan Pagett and Bees’ man-of-the-match Luke Dandy.

After receiving a bye in the First Round, East Allington United booked their place in the Third with a 5-1 win at previously unbeaten Kingskerswell and Chelston. A header from Dan Hurrell and a nice finish from Finley Bullen, from a Dan Bowles flick, saw the Pirates 2-1 up at the break, Ash Beetschen on target for the home side. Bowles then made things a little more comfortable when he headed home Josh Pascoe’s free-kick before Bullen made it 4-1 when he followed up Luke Forward’s saved strike. Bullen then turned provider for Jamie Batchelor to round things off.

Over at the Denbury Playing Fields, Buckland Athletic Development took an early lead in their derby with Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds, Timothy Sandercombe’s long goal-kick, ten minutes in, finding Calum Fife in space and the latter toe-poking home. Spurs hit back five minutes later with a breakaway equaliser but when Owen Coldwell was fouled by the goalkeeper, Matt Briant restored Bucks’ lead from the spot with 23 minutes played. With half-time looming, Rob Heaps then set up Coldwell to make it 3-1. There were no further goals in the second half and the Yellows go through to the Third Round.

Ian Howse struck twice for Buckfastleigh Rangers as the Premier side dispatched Division One opponents Abbotskerswell 4-0 at the Duckspond. Declan Cowley and Steven Sutton also found the net for Rangers.

Salcombe Town will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Cronies in the Devon Premier Cup as they take on cup specialists Ilsington Villa in the Herald Cup on Saturday. Plympton Athletic and Broadmeadow will also be looking to boost the Premier contingent as they face Watts Blake Bearne and Barton Athletic respectively.

Ivybridge Town Reserves will play Babbacombe Corinthians in the Second Round after they finally managed to play – and win – their their First Round tie against fellow Premier outfit Newton Abbot ’66.

Meadowbrook Athletic’s postponed First Round tie against Paignton Villa Reserves has yet to be rearranged but Brook are out of the Devon Premier Cup, Hartland & Clovelly awarded a home walkover. With Ipplepen Athletic eased aside 6-0 by DFL side Tavistock Reserves (Alex Henniker scoring five times!), that ends the SDFL’s presence in that competition for another season.

Elsewhere in the Herald Cup, Division Three leaders Bishopsteignton United cruised past Division One stragglers Dittisham United 9-1 while Galmpton United won the battle of the Greens with a 5-0 home victory over Watcombe Wanderers Reserves from the division above. Upton Athletic enjoyed a second successive victory over Waldon Athletic Reserves, beating the Clarets 4-2.

There was just one Premier game played last Saturday, Broadmeadow with a comfortable 6-2 win over Beesands Rovers. Malcolm Douglas scored twice and there were goals for Todd Ballman, Ben Beeson, Joshua Garswell and Chris Bennett. Jack Eades scored twice for the Bees.

LEADERS HELD: Torbay Police dropped their first points in tough conditions at Poole Lane. (c) MiraclePR

After a week’s hiatus, a handful of games went ahead on Saturday in the WBW (Solicitors) South Devon Football League.

The last 100% record in the Premier Division fell as league leaders Torbay Police were held 1-1 at Poole Lane by fifth-placed East Allington United. The difficult playing conditions meant that neither side could play their preferred style of football and it was perhaps no surprise that the opener came from a set piece, Dan Bowles powering the Pirates ahead in the first half with a header from Josh Pascoe’s corner. But the Bees levelled before the break when Sonwabile Mlenze set up Bobby Chancellor to score.

After three consecutive losses, Brixham AFC Reserves finally had something to cheer about as they heaped more disappointment on bottom club Beesands Rovers with a 3-1 victory at Wall Park. Jacob Durrant scored twice for the Fishermen and Steven Smith joined him on the score sheet. Jack Eades scored a consolation goal for the Bees who have just one point to their name so far this campaign.

After two draws in a row, Galmpton United got back to winning ways in their Division Two game at home to Torquay Town. A second half brace by Craig White helped the Greens to a 2-0 victory which edges them closer to leaders Upton Athletic. Upton were also celebrating as they booked their spot in the Third Round of the Firewatch Devon Senior Cup after a tense penalty shoot-out victory over local rivals Waldon Athletic Reserves who play in the division above. Fellow Division Two side Dartmouth AFC Reserves were unable to join Upton in the hat as they lost out 5-2 away at Millbridge Thirds.

The Division Two league game between Babbacombe Corinthians and Ipplepen Athletic Reserves ended in an emphatic win for Corries. Daniel Garswood, Curtis Marshall, Tom Pennicott and Samuel Swann all found the net in a 4-0 triumph.

The only game in Division Three saw leaders Bishopsteignton United extend their unbeaten start to five games and open up a three point gap at the top. Gary Moore continued his rich vein of form with a hat-trick while Tommy Kenneth Trout and Michael Collins ensured another five goals for the home side as Bishops won 5-2 against Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds.

Three SDFL teams were also in action in the Second Round of the A&S Paving Devon Intermediate Cup. All were away from home but two of the three made it through regardless. Barton Athletic Reserves knocked out Kenn Valley 4-2 while Watts Blake Bearne Reserves dispatched Kingsley Park 3-1. Newton Rovers Reserves were unable to make it a clean sweep though as they went down 4-0 at Bradninch Town.

COMEBACK KINGS: Galmpton come from three down to rescue a point at Corries. (c) MiraclePR

Only one WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier fixture survived the late October soaking last Saturday with Brixham AFC Reserves hosting an in-form Plympton Athletic Reserves side looking for their third straight win and clean sheet. They didn’t quite manage the latter but did win the game 4-1 to climb to second in the table albeit having played more games than any other team.

The visitors’ goals were supplied by Matt Mazzoni, Moses Sonko, Ashley White and substitute Thomas Swabey with Dalton Sanders grabbing a consolation goal for the Fishermen.

There were no fixtures in Division One but Galmpton United made it seven unbeaten in Division Two in a 3-3 draw at Babbacombe Corinthians. It was testimony to the resilience of the Greens who found themselves three down at half-time after goals from Jordan Bradshaw, Daniel Garswood and Curtis Marshall gave the home side a great head start. But strikes from Will Baker, Cameron Lane and Savash Zulhayir saw Galmpton earn a point which preserves the four point gap between themselves and unbeaten leaders Upton Athletic. Upton were also in action and also shared six goals with their opponents, Paignton Saints. Louis Baker-Thornley, Jordan Bastow and Rui de Garces found the net for Upton with Jason Dingley, Jamie Micklewright and Aaron Underhill on target for Saints.

The only other two games to go ahead were in Division Three. Gary Moore struck twice for unbeaten Bishopsteignton United who go back to the top of the table following a 5-3 home win over Chudleigh Athletic Thirds. Tommy Kenneth Trout, Carl Way and sub Michael Collins also netted for the Bishops with Joe Potter scoring a brace and Charlie Leisk a single for Chudleigh in this high-scoring encounter. A further eight goals were scored at Furzeham Green where hosts Brixham AFC Thirds drew 4-4 with visiting Kingsteignton Athletic Third. Garry Drew scored the day’s obly hat-trick with Stuart Pointon also on the mark for Brixham. Samuel Tooley doubled up for the Rams with Matthew Preston and Harry Warren also scoring.

CRAB-HAPPY: Salcombe breezed into the Second Round of the Herald Cup and will meet cup specialists Ilsington Villa next. (c) MiraclePR

Ilsington Villa have enjoyed their cup exploits in recent seasons and the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Divison Two side have started off this season by dispatching Premier outfit Beesands Rovers 3-2 in the First Round of the Herald Cup.

Daniel Langford was the hat-trick hero for Villa with Dylan Fox and Jack Eades on target for the struggling Bees who have yet to taste victory this season. Ilsington will face another Premier side, Salcombe Town (pictured in red), in the Second Round.

They will have to drill their defence if they are to keep out the division’s top scorer Ashley Yeoman. The former Torquay man scored another two goals on Saturday as the Crabs knocked out fellow top tier side Brixham AFC Reserves 5-0 at Malborough Playing Fields. Charlie Barnes also doubled up for the hosts with Callum Nolan their other goalscorer.

League leaders Torbay Police brushed Chudleigh Athletic Reserves aside with an emphatic 10-0 victory at the Chudleigh Playing Fields. Former Watcombe man Sonwabile Mlenze scored his first hat-trick for his new club and Lee Langley added a brace. There were also singles for Matthew Bleakley, Luke Dandy, Max Prestwood, Jack Turak and Bobby Chancellor. The Bees will travel to Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves in the next round.

Things were much tighter at the Duckspond where goals from Arren De Young and Ian Howse helped Buckfastleigh Rangers into the Second Round with a 2-1 win over Ipplepen Athletic in the all-Premier encounter. Rangers have been drawn at home again, Abbotskerswell their next opponents.

Division One side Stoke Gabriel Reserves completed Saturday’s cup celebrations with a 5-2 home triumph over Broadhempston United from the division below. The Railwaymen have been drawn away to the winners of the postponed Meadowbrook Athletic and Paignton Villa Reserves tie.

Babbacombe Corinthians will face either Newton Abbot 66 or Ivybridge Town Reserves and Teign Village will also have to wait to find out whether they will face Totnes and Dartington Reserves or Riviera United. They will play their First Round tie at the Foxhole Ground on Saturday.

The other Second Round games, drawn on Monday evening, are Bishopsteignton United v Dittisham United, Broadmeadow STFC v Barton Athletic, Dartmouth Reserves v Newton Rovers, Galmpton United v Watcombe Wanderers Reserves, Kingsbridge and Kellaton United v Harbertonford, Kingskerswell and Chelston v East Allington United, Newton Abbot Spurs Third v Buckland Athletic Development, Paignton Saints Reserves v Torquay Town, Waldon Athletic Reserves v Upton Athletic and Watts Blake Bearne v Plympton Athletic Reserves.

Plympton were one of four teams in league action on Saturday. Carlton Allen and Joss and Carlo Marino each scored in a 3-0 win over Broadmeadow to see them move up to third. Luke Forward and Finley Bullen scored two apiece for East Allington at Buckland Development. Josh Pascoe also found the net for the Pirates in a 5-2 win, Joshua Clarke and Rob Heaps with Bucks’ consolation goals.

A David Hatch hat-trick helped Harbertonford to move up to second in Division One, a point behind WBB who didn’t play. Kieran Brown and Christopher Head also scored twice as Fords enjoyed a 7-2 victory at Watcombe Reserves.

SAFE PASSAGE: Salcombe Town (red) are through to the last 32 of the Premier Cup as their opponents are unable to raise a side. (c) MiraclePR

A combination of County Cup fixtures and wet pitches reduced the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL fixture list to six games over the weekend, only one of those in the Premier Division.

That game was at Poole Lane where Plympton Athletic Reserves moved above hosts East Allington United and into fourth spot with a 1-0 win, Carlton Allen the goalscorer.

There were mixed fortunes for SDFL teams in the Throgmorton Devon Premier Cup with two teams progressing to the Third Round. Salcombe Town didn’t have to kick a ball to go through with Boca Seniors unable to fulfil the fixture. Ipplepen Athletic got their shooting boots on as they won 6-2 in a surprise victory over Devon Football League side Ottery St Mary. Ivybridge Town Reserves were also playing DFL opponents and goals from Matt Hill and Kane Steel saw them earn an unlikely extra thirty minutes at Waldon Athletic. But it was the Clarets who progressed after they won the penalty shoot-out.

Broadmeadow STFC and Buckfastleigh Rangers are also out of the competition. Bere Alston defeated Broads 2-1, Chris Bennett with the visitors’ strike, while Rangers crashed out 3-0 at Plympton Athletic.

Ipplepen will be at home to the winners of the Bradworthy versus Tavistock Reserves game in the round of 32 while Salcombe face a tough tie at home to Cronies. Meadowbrook Athletic could face Watcombe Wanderers in the Third Round but first they will need to win their rearranged tie with Hartland & Clovelly.

In Division One, Stoke Gabriel Reserves enjoyed a convincing 7-1 win away at Riviera United and move into the top six. Jack Gilpin, Thomas Leach and Jack Lee all found the net for Chudleigh Athletic Reserves who overcame Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves 3-1 away in the division’s other game.

Galmpton United and Ipplepen Athletic Reserves kept uo their pursuit of Division Two leaders Upton Athletic. The Greens won 3-1 at home to Newton Rovers with Pens enjoying a 7-1 victory at Kingsbridge and Kellaton United.

Newton Rovers Reserves played only their second game of the season in Division Three, losing out 2-1 at Kingsteignton Athletic Thirds.

The Herald Cup kicks off on Saturday and there will be two different teams in the final with both Buckland Athletic Reserves and Kingsteignton Athletic now playing in the DFL. League leaders Torbay Police kick off their cup campaign away at Chudleigh Reserves and there are three all-Premier ties with Salcombe at home to Brixham AFC Reserves, Newton Abbot ’66 hosting Ivybridge Reserves and Ipplepen Athletic travelling to Buckfastleigh Rangers.

TABLE TOPPERS: WBB continue to set the pace in Division One with another winning performance. (c) MiraclePR

First versus second in the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier Division produced a game worthy of the top tier with leaders Torbay Police grabbing a dramatic late winner against Meadowbrook Athletic to extend their lead to five points.

Despite several key players, including leading scorer Jamie Bayliss, being unavailable, the strength in depth of the Bees squad was very apparent as they were still able to field a strong line up.

The Police started brightly but fell behind when Meadowbrook pounced on a loose ball following a corner. A carbon copy goal then saw Brook double their lead. The Police responded by testing the frame of the Brook goal and forcing their goalkeeper into some excellent saves. He couldn’t keep out Beck Hannah’s chip from a Police corner though as the buoyant Bees halved the deficit. They hadn’t quite finished celebrating though when a Brook midfielder lobbed home ‘keeper Adam Blackburn direct from the kick-off. Blackburn managed to tip the ball onto the bar but the ball bounced back on to his outstretched arm and into the goal to restore Meadowbrook’s two goal cushion. Three became four when the dangerous Ben Bowhay crossed to the far post and Sonwabile Mlenze was beaten in the air by an incoming Meadowbrook player to put them 4-1 up and in a good position to take the division’s top spot

Early in the second half, Prestwood stole in to side foot home from close range to make it 4-2 and inspire a Bees comeback. With 25 minutes still to play, Prestwood bagged his second with another calm finish from close range. Soon enough, the almost inevitable equaliser arrived as Prestwood was in again, his deflected shot volleyed home by Bobby Chancellor. Could they find a winner? Once again, the impressive Prestwood was in and clumsily bundled to the floor deep inside the Brook box. Mlenze stepped up and brushed off the pressure to coolly slot home the penalty and winning goal with ten minutes to go. The visitors’ goals were scored by Bowhay, Myles Chalcraft, Jamie Easton and Ben Field.

In-form Ashley Yeoman scored half of Salcombe Town’s goals as they closed to within a point of Meadowbrook with a thumping 8-1 home win over Ivybridge Town Reserves. Joshua Harris scored twice for the Crabs with Charlie Barnes and Luke Milton also on target.

East Allington United lost their first league game of the season, beaten 3-2 at Broadmeadow. Broads scored through Chris Bennett, Malcolm Douglas and Chris Sargent with Justin Denning and Dan Bowles finding the net for the Pirates.

Buckland Athletic Development enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Brixham AFC Reserves. Joshua Clarke, Calum Fyfe, Tre Hansford and Charlie Morgan each found the net for Bucks with Garry Drew managing a consolation for the Fishermen. Joseph Rogers was also dismissed for the visitors.

Beesands Rovers picked up their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw at Newton Abbot ’66 and it was also all square at Moor Road where Ipplepen Athletic were held 1-1 by Plympton Athletic Reserves.

A Billy Clinch hat-trick helped Watts Blake Bearne to maintain their lead at the top of Division One. Cam Gill also scored in a 4-2 win over Stoke Gabriel Reserves. Unbeaten Kingskerswell and Chelston and Barton Athletic also won to keep pace with the leaders.

PERFECT START: Meadowbrook scored within two minutes to give them the advantage in Saturday’s five goal derby at the Dorothy Elmhirst. (c) Derek Castree

Unbeaten Meadowbrook Athletic fought off a Buckfastleigh Rangers comeback to maintain their pursuit of WBW (Solicitors) SDFL leaders Torbay Police last Saturday.

Brook took an early lead in this derby match, scoring within the first two minutes, and then doubled up on the stroke of half-time, the goalscorer finding the net on the second attempt after the Rangers goalkeeper had parried his first effort. Having also hit the post in the first half, the hosts were good value for their lead. Rangers needed a quick response in the second half and they certainly delivered it, scoring two great goals within three minutes of each other to bring the sides level. Both were from set pieces. The first, on 50 minutes, saw a free-kick on the right pulled back to a player on the edge of the area who shaped his shot nicely over the wall and into the net. The second was a powerful direct free-kick which again cleared the wall and left the home goalkeeper with no chance.

Both sides then had good spells of play and the tie could have gone either way until, on 62 minutes, Meadowbrook secured the points with a good move and neat finish. Rangers continued to battle as the rain started to come down and will probably feel they deserved a point.

Finn Roberts scored two of Meadowbrook’s goals with Liam Collings the other goalscorer. Rangers’ dead ball specialists on the day were Lewis Cox and Arren de Young.

Torbay Police show no sign of letting up. The Bees repeated their 5-2 scoreline in the reverse fixture away at Broadmeadow a week after beating Buckland Athletic Development 3-1 at Churston Grammar School. Max Prestwood scored twice on Saturday with Luke Dandy, Beck Hannah and Jack Turak also on target and Josh Hall and substitute Ben Chick netting for Broadmeadow. Prestwood, Jamie Bayliss and Marc Hagland were the golascorers the previous week with Owen Coldwell finding the net for Bucks.

Salcombe Town are also on a roll. Ashley Yeoman kept up his record of scoring in every game so far as The Crabs defeated Buckland 3-1 on Saturday, following their 4-1 home win over local rivals Beesands Rovers the previous week. Charlie Barnes and Fred Massey joined Yeoman on the score sheet with Tre Hansford on target for Buckland.

Brixham AFC Reserves are back to winning ways. Having lost two in a row prior to last week’s abandoned game at Ivybridge, the Fishermen triumphed 3-1 at home to Ipplepen Athletic, Ryan Walton with a brace and Liam McAuley also scoring.

Plympton Athletic Reserves’ inconsistent start to the season continued with their third loss of the season, 4-1 away at Newton Abbot ’66, following the previous week’s 2-0 victory at Buckfastleigh.

Beesands Rovers still seek their first Premier Division point as they experienced deja vu by once again losing 4-2 at home to Ivybridge Town Reserves who dispatched them from the Premier Cup earlier this month. Bradley Lowe scored twice for the Ivies with Macauley Conway and Gary Heasmen also on target; Jack Eades and Lewis Foot notched for the Bees.

Division One leaders Watts Blake Bearne are averaging more than six goals a game. They put nine past Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves on Saturday, Cam Gill adding another five to his tally and Billy Clinch and Matthew Elmore managing doubles; James Perrins scored a consolation goal for the home side. WBB weren’t the top SDFL scorers on Saturday though. That honour went to Barton Athletic who hit 12 past Dittisham United without reply. Sam Pyne scored five of the goals, Shane Essam netted twice and there were singles for Michael and Stephen Rohan, Casey Cooper and subs Mike Fieldhouse and Luke Reeby. Barton remain third behind Kingskerswell and Chelston who enjoyed a 5-0 home victory over Waldon Athletic Reserves. ‘Kerswell’s goals came from Alexander Easson (2), Ashley Beetschen, Ashley Grimes and, from the bench, Connor Davenport.

Darren Bastow rolled back the years to score twice for Division Two leaders Upton Athletic at home to Torquay Town. Bart Karkau also scored as Upton maintain their perfect start to the campaign with a 3-0 win.

Brixham AFC Thirds held on to their lead at the top of Division Three despite being held to a 2-2 draw at Furzeham Green by Newton Rovers Reserves.