WINNERS ALL: Stoke Gabriel Reserves and Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves both ended up on the winning side this week. (c) MiraclePR

East Allington United continue to lead the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier Division after a 4-0 home win over Newton Abbot ’66 in their first game for a month.

Any fears that the lack of action would have disrupted the momentum of the league’s leading goalscorer Finley Bullen were soon put to bed with the former Beesands player claiming a hat-trick. Dan Bowles also headed home for his fifth league goal of the season.

The win puts the Pirates three points clear of Torbay Police, who didn’t play. Ipplepen Athletic could have overtaken the Bees but instead found themselves on the receiving end of a battering by a Salcombe Town side who cruised to a second successive 8-0 victory. Ashley Yeoman put five past the Pens and is now just one goal behind Bullen in the league’s top goalscorers’ list. Additional goals from Charlie Barnes, Fred Massey and Kieran Stallard completed a flawless afternoon for the rampant Crabs.

Meadowbrook Athletic hold on to fourth place as they enjoyed a 4-2 win at Buckland Athletic Development. Owen Coldwell crossed for Tre Hansford to open the scoring for Bucks after just seven minutes. With 20 minutes gone, Brook got back on terms when former Buckland player Charlie Johansen won a one-on-one with the home ‘keeper. Anthony Goss then scored from the edge of the box on the brink of half-time to put Meadowbrook 2-1 up. Buckland nearly equalised early in the second half but three minutes after Bailey Clarke had missed a penalty, Johansen struck again to give the visitors a cushion. Clarke redeemed himself on the hour mark, poking home Matt Briant’s free-kick, but Meadowbrook’s James Thomas scored his side’s fourth, from a corner, with 13 minutes remaining to seal the points.

The reserve sides of Torbay Police and Ipplepen Athletic will compete in the Fred Hewings Cup final. Ipplepen sent Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves packing with an 8-0 thumping while the Police squeezed past Barton Athletic Reserves 4-3.

Broadmeadow STFC became the seventh team through to the quarter-finals of the George Belli Cup after a narrow 2-1 win at Buckfastleigh Rangers. Ben Beeson and Ben Wright netted for the visitors with Arren De Young on target for Rangers. Broadmeadow will face Brixham AFC Reserves in the last eight while Beesands Rovers and Plympton Athletic are due to compete for the last remaining quarter-final spot on Saturday.

Division One leaders Harbertonford failed to make the most of one of their games in hand on Saturday as they lost out 5-3 away at Kingskerswell and Chelston Reserves. A second half hat-trick from James Horrocks saw ‘Kerswell overcome a 2-1 deficit at the break. Their other goals came from Thomas Reeves and Joseph Wilkinson with Fords scoring through Dave Hatch, Mark Hancock and Sam Passmore.

The other two second tier games involved the bottom half of the table and produced 16 goals between them! Waldon Athletic Reserves scored four without reply against Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves while Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves won 7-5 at Watcombe Wanderers Reserves. Aaron Paget was on fire with a double hat-trick for the Rams who also scored through William Kempsford. Cory Brennan managed a brace for the Greens with Tyler Fewings, Joseph Molloy and substitute Ben Clark also finding the net.

In the Dartmouth Cup, goals from Ryan Langley and Callum Whiteoak saw Stoke Gabriel Reserves through 2-1 against Abbotskerswell who scored through Thomas Corben. Dittisham United left their league woes behind them to dispatch visiting Riviera United 3-2.

SICK SIXES: Newton ’66 are thumped 8-0 by dominant Salcombe Town. (c) MiraclePR

Salcombe Town added to last week’s cup joy with their first league victory of 2020, firing eight past Newton Abbot ’66 with no reply. The win moves the South Hams side into the top six of the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier Division.

Ashley Yeoman scored a hat-trick for the Crabs, Charlie Barnes put away a brace and there were goals for Joshua Harris, Luke Milton and Kieran Stallard. For the Sixes, it was their worst defeat of the season and will have been particuarly disappointing following their 1-1 draw with Torbay Police a week earlier.

The only other league game to get the green light was at the Galmpton War Memorial Ground where the Greens played host to Broadhempston United in a Division Two clash. Joe Massey scored twice for the home side in a 5-0 triumph which sees them move to within a point of unbeaten leaders Upton Athletic. The other goals came from Will Baker, Samuel Massey and, from the bench, Jack Thomson.

There were also two games played in the divisional cups.

Ivybridge Town Reserves claimed an impressive scalp in the George Belli (Premier) Cup as they knocked out title-chasing Torbay Police 4-1 at Erme Park.

It’s not often that a player scores a hat-trick yet ends up on the losing side yet that’s what happened to Ilsington Villa’s Matt Warman. Villa were away to Paignton Saints Reserves in the Lidstone (Division Two) Cup and found themselves trailing 2-0 at the break. Villa did stage a fight back in the second half but Saints kept adding more goals to cancel out Warman’s efforts and the game finished 5-3 to the home side. Shaun Cotton and Ian Simons scored twice for Saints with Jason Dingley also on target.

The top four in the Premier Division are all away on Saturday. Leaders East Allington United, who haven’t played for a month, are away at Newton ’66. Torbay Police will once again visit Ivybridge Reserves while Ipplepen Athletic have a trip to Salcombe and Meadowbrook Athletic play at Buckland Athletic Development.

Two more George Belli Cup games are also scheduled with Beesands Rovers hosting Plympton Athletic Reserves and Broadmeadow STFC visiting Buckfastleigh Rangers.

HAPPY CRABS: Salcombe Town (pictured here in a league game at Newton ’66) are into the last eight of the Belli Cup. (c) MiraclePR

Salcombe Town may be out of the Herald Cup but they still have the opportunity of some silverware after the Crabs knocked in-form Ipplepen Athletic out of the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL George Belli Cup on Saturday.

Ash Yeoman drew his first blank of the season but teammates Josh Harris, Fred Massey and Ben Tapper found the net as The Crabs edged the game 3-2. They will be looking to be the second South Hams club in a row to lift the trophy after Dartmouth AFC’s success last year.

Brixham AFC Reserves are also through after winning 4-2 at Herald Cup semi-finalists Buckland Athletic Development. Mark Griffiths netted twice for the Fishermen who also scored through Matt Constable and Callum Glew. Bailey Clarke and Calum Fyfe found the back of the net for the Yellows.

The only other game featuring top tier sides was played at Osborne Park with Newton Abbot ’66 holding title chasing Torbay Police to a 1-1 draw. The Bees had the best of the first half and duly went ahead when Colin Brown volleyed home an in-swinging Marc Hagland corner. But with the wind against them after the break, the tide turned dramatically with The Sixes piling pressure on Adam Blackburn’s goal. They got the luck they deserved when Tom Dare was penalised for handling the ball in the box following a goal-kick from the home side. Luke Turner stood up to dispatch the spot-kick and earn his side a valuable point.

There were no games played in Division One but two Dartmouth Cup ties did go ahead. Unbeaten Barton Athletic were favourites in the Torquay derby against a young Watcombe Wanderers Reserve side but to their credit, Watcombe competed well and lost out to only a single goal. In contrast, there were nine goals scored at Broadpark where Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves progressed into the next round by beating Waldon Athletic Reserves 6-3. Oliver Teague scored four of the Rams’ goals with William Kempsford and Cole Feasby joining him on the score sheet.

Unbeaten Upton Athletic extended their lead in Division Two with a convincing 4-0 home victory over Newton Rovers, Rui de Garces and Bart Karkau managing two apiece. Babbacombe Corinthians came through a battling affair at Windmill Hill to beat Ilsington Villa 2-1. Jordan Bradshaw and Joshua Swann hit the target for Corries with Dan Langford scoring for Villa.

There were some tight games in the Lidstone Cup with Newton Abbot ’66 and Galmpton United both squeezing through with the odd goal in five. Steve Vaughan, Tom Carne and Jono Ellis fired home for the Sixes as they eliminated Broadhempston United while Joseph Morey, Cally Riley-Lowe and Jordan Thomas saw Galmpton safely through against Torquay Town. Ipplepen Athletic Reserves enjoyed a bigger cushion as they knocked out Torbay Police Reserves 4-1.

No Third Division league fixtures survived but there was joy for Bishopsteignton United and Brixham AFC Thirds who both eased through their Ronald Cup ties. Bishops beat Kingsteignton Thirds 5-0 while the Fishermen scored four without reply against visiting Teign Village.

CLUB ON THE UP: Watts Blake Bearne are on the trophy trail and doing well in the league. (c)Miracle PR

Ten years ago, Newton Abbot side Watts, Blake & Bearne celebrated winning the double, picking up both the South Devon Football League Premier Division and Herald Cup. Three seasons later they had folded and were forced to regroup and endure the slow climb back up through the lower divisions.

Now known as Watts Blake Bearne AFC, the team are once again fighting for the top honours in the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL. On Saturday, two strikes by Matt Elmore and a single by Cam Gill earned the Division One high-fliers a place in the Herald Cup semi-finals at the expense of Premier Division outfit Salcombe Town. Luke Milton found the net for the Crabs but that will be scant consolation for the South Hams side who have never won the prestigious trophy.

There could yet be a new name inscribed on to the cup, Torbay Police claiming their semi-final place with a 1-0 home win over Meadowbrook Athletic. With the high winds causing problems, this was not a classic game and there were few chances for either side, Max Prestwood coming closest in the first half when his header from a corner was cleared off the line. The game was decided in the second half when Luke Dandy was pushed in the box. The Brook goalkeeper parried his spot-kick on to the post but referee Barry Hayward ordered the kick to be retaken due to player encroachment. Dandy didn’t pass up his second opportunity to break the deadlock and duly converted the penalty that saw the Bees through.

Holders Buckland Athletic are also through to the final four although it is the Development side tasked with defending the trophy Neil Snell and Marc Revell’s Reserves won last season. Bucks were clear favourites to win at Windmill Hill where they took on Division Two hopefuls Babbacombe Corinthians. However, it took them nearly the entire half to get their noses ahead with Charlie Morgan finally chesting down a cross and firing home after 38 minutes. The scoreline stayed at 1-0 until the hour mark when substitute Owen Coldwell put the game to bed with a quick-fire double.

East Allington United complete the semi-final line-up and will be aiming to scoop their third Herald Cup in four seasons following their back-to-back wins in 2017 and 2018. Finley Bullen struck twice in each half for the Pirates to end the hopes of their hosts Buckfastleigh Rangers. Luke Forward also scored for the visitors who won 5-0.

With the top two in cup action, Ipplepen Athletic took the opportunity to move level with Torbay Police on points by beating another in-form side, Brixham AFC Reserves, 4-2. Daniel Cummings’ Pens have now won an impressive seven games in a row.

Ivybridge Town Reserves will be pleased to have halted a trend in the opposite direction after they won 2-0 at Newton Abbot ’66 to bring a five game losing streak to an end.

Elsewhere, Chris Bennett and Andy Espley found the net for Broadmeadow STFC as they enjoyed a 2-1 home win over Plympton Athletic Reserves, Ryan Hart with the visitors’ strike.

FULL STEAM AHEAD: The Railwaymen of Stoke Gabriel Reserves moved up to second with a 3-0 home win over Kingsteignton Reserves. (c)MiraclePR

To browse and buy photographs from this game please visit the online gallery. Every purchase helps Ali to cover fuel costs and other associated expenses.

The WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier Division delivered an interesting twist last Saturday as Buckland Athletic’s Development side dented Torbay Police’s title ambitions with a comprehensive 4-0 victory.

Joshua Clarke crossed for Owen Coldwell to open the scoring after 16 minutes at the Denbury Playing Fields. Then, on 24 minutes, Fraser Wesley slotted into an empty net after a mistake at the back. Joshua Clarke provided his second assist of the afternoon on the hour mark as his corner was volleyed home by brother Bailey. Joshua then added his own name to the score-sheet with a 71^st minute drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

The result went down well with leaders East Allington United who didn’t play and remain a point ahead of the Bees having played just one game more now. Ipplepen Athletic, the division’s form side, stretched their winning streak to six games by beating bottom club Beesands Rovers 2-1 away. They are now in third place and just three points behind Torbay Police with a game in hand.

A close affair at the Dorothy Elmhirst Memorial Ground saw Meadowbrook Athletic narrowly claim the points with a 4-3 win over SDFL new boys Plympton Athletic Reserves, Ben Bowhay, Myles Chalcraft, Scott McRoy and James Thomas with the goals.

Brixham AFC Reserves are now four unbeaten after a comprehensive 5-1 triumph over struggling Ivybridge Town Reserves. Tom Hopper and Ryan Walton both bagged braces for the Fishermen with Matt Constable also on target.

Osborne Park was the scene of a ten goal thriller, Newton Abbot ’66 enjoying back-to-back wins by beating Broadmeadow STFC 6-4.

The top two in Division One went head-to-head at the Steve Jane Memorial Ground with both Harbertonford and Abbotskerswell beginning the afternoon on 27 points. The points were due to be shared when Fords’ marksman David Hatch picked up the ball on the edge of the area, drove into the box and slotted past the Abbots ‘keeper to win the game with five minutes to spare.

Stoke Gabriel Reserves moved up to second with an accomplished 3-0 victory over Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves. The Railwaymen were on top from the start and it took Callum Whiteoak just three minutes to fire his side into the lead. 15 minutes later, Whiteoak’s free-kick from the right found Ryan Langley who blasted the ball past Russell Faulkner for 2-0. Two minutes later, the game was all but over when Lewis Calf buried a header from another Stoke free-kick. Although the home side took their foot off the pedal a bit after the break, they always looked in control of the game.

Barton Athletic remain unbeaten and climbed further up the table with a 6-1 win over Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves in an eventful game at the Duckspond. Chudleigh Athletic Reserves also ran out 6-1 winners, against Waldon Athletic Reserves, with Gavin Lake netting a hat-trick, Tyler Brown scoring twice and Oli Williams with a single goal.

Watcombe Wanderers Reserves picked up their first points of the season as bottom club Dittisham United were unable to raise a side.

YEOMAN YET AGAIN: Ashley Yeoman has scored in every game for Salcombe this year – but his side lost 3-1 to Buckland Development this time out. (c) Derek Castree

East Allington United climbed back to the top of the WBW (SDFL) Premier Division on Saturday with their first win in three games, a 4-1 victory away at Meadowbrook Athletic’s Dorothy Elmhirst Memorial Ground.

A low first half strike from Fin Bullen, assisted by Luke Forward, and a Dan Hurrell header, from a Forward corner, gave the Pirates the perfect platform to secure the points in the second half. Danny Tucker then played Bullen through to slot home a cool second before Myles Chalcraft reduced the deficit for Brook. Forward completed a hat-trick of assists when his one-two with Rob Tapper ended with the latter’s cross-cum-shot in the back of the net.

The result places East Allington one point ahead of Torbay Police but the Bees have two games in hand. They were at home to Broadmeadow STFC in an all-Premier Division Third Round Herald Cup tie. The one-sided affair saw the Police hit eight without reply, Max Prestwood scoring four goals and the other goals delivered by Bobby Chancellor, Sonwabile Mlenze, Luke Dandy and man-of-the-match Liam Walton. The Police will play Meadowbrook in the last eight.

Ipplepen Athletic racked up a fifth straight win to climb into third in the table, beating Buckfastleigh Rangers 4-1 at Moor Road. This proved to be a popular scoreline with Brixham AFC Reserves and Newton Abbot ’66 both winning away by the same margin. Brixham defeated Plympton Athletic Reserves with Ryan Walton scoring twice and Andrew Deare and Reece Somers with one apiece; Matt Mazzoni netted for Plympton. Meanwhile, Callum Foskett put away a brace for Newton ’66 as they won at Beesands Rovers. Tom Lowe and Harry Noble also scored for the Sixes with Jack Eades getting a consolation for the Bees.

There was no surprise to see Ashley Yeoman on the score-sheet once again for Salcombe Town as his penalty gave the visitors the lead at Buckland Athletic Development. But that was as good as it got for the Crabs, with Fraser Wesley equalising before the break, Charlie Morgan hitting a rocket to put the Yellows ahead on 68 minutes and Calum Fyfe wrapping things up with two minutes to go.

Harbertonford and Abbotskerswell remain inseparable at the top of Division One after both sides won on Saturday. David Hatch was on fire for Fords, scoring five of his side’s goals as they hammered Paignton Villa Reserves. Samuel Passmore scored four goals and there were also strikes from Alex Boon and Robert Dart. A closer game at Abbots Park saw the home side beat Chudleigh Athletic Reserves 3-2 thanks to goals from Josh Moore, Thomas Barber and Aaron Knapman. Chudleigh’s goals were put away by Jack Lee and Daniel Yates. Watts Blake Bearne complete the top three after their 4-1 home triumph over Kingskerswell and Chelston. Cam Gill scored twice and there were goals from Billy Clinch, Matt Elmore and, for ‘Kerswell, substitute Russell Williams. Stoke Gabriel Reserves aren’t far behind in fourth. Ryan Langley netted four times for the Railwaymen as they trounced Dittisham United 8-0 away.

PENS’ PEN: Daniel Steer breaks the deadlock for Ipplepen with a penalty in their 2-0 home win over Ivybridge Reserves. (c) Derek Castree

Despite a largely dry end to the week, many of the sodden grass pitches in south Devon were unable to recover in time for Saturday’s WBW (Solicitors) leading to yet more postponements.

11 games did go ahead though and four of these were in the Premier Division. Torbay Police’s game at Buckland Athletic Development was called off giving East Allington United the opportunity to draw level on points by beating local rivals Salcombe Town at Poole Lane. Instead, the Pirates were held to a second consecutive home draw with four goals shared. James Ivatts scored for the home side with Fin Bullen also converting a penalty; Ash Yeoman and Charlie Barnes were on target for Salcombe with Yeoman keeping up his record of scoring in every league and Herald Cup game for the Crabs this season.

Charlie Johansen scored twice for third-placed Meadowbrook in a 3-0 victory over Newton Abbot ’66. Thomas Comyn also scored for Brook who reduced the gap between themselves and East Allington to five points with four games in hand.

In-form Ipplepen Athletic came through a tough test at home to Ivybridge Town Reserves to rack up their fourth victory in a row. After a battling opening half an hour, with both sides creating chances, Dan Steer broke the deadlock from the penalty spot. Moments earlier, Steer had been clattered by Ivies ‘keeper Jack Horswell leaving referee Martin Williams with little option but to award the spot-kick. Ivybridge had their chances to equalise after the break. Dale Stocker scurried back just in time to clear a goal bound effort just before the hour mark and the industrious Brad Lowe smacked the bar 15 minutes later. But Pens always looked dangerous up front and the move of the match nearly ended up in a second after Steer’s skilful turn, drive and through-ball was matched by substitute Damien Francis-Furnivall who beat his markers before chipping over Horswell. That last minute effort ended up on top of the net but seconds later, Ipplepen were celebrating a second, Stocker firing a low shot past the stranded goalkeeper and into the corner of the net.

A five goal encounter at the Duckspond ended in the visitors’ favour as Brixham AFC Reserves beat Buckfastleigh Rangers 3-2. Matthew Constable, Dalton Sanders and sub Alex McKerrell scored for the Fishermen with Steven Sutton and Declan Cowley, from the bench, netting for Rangers; the home side also saw Lewis Cox dismissed.

Only one game survived in Division One. Aaron Knapman scored the only goal of the game as Abbotskerswell came away from Paignton Villa Reserves with the points. Abbots move level with leaders Harbertonford.

In contrast, there were 22 goals scored in just three games in Division Two. Unbeaten Upton Athletic increased the pressure on leaders Galmpton United by thumping bottom club Kingsbridge and Kellaton United 8-2. Rui de Garces put away a hat-trick at Armada Park with Darren Bastow, Shaden Gagg, Luke Horrell, Rafal Jarosz and substitute Jordan Bastow all making the score-sheet. Paignton Saints Reserves reinforced their top three position by beating Torbay Police Reserves 4-2. Jamie Micklewright scored twice for Saints with Luke Pocknell and Brandon Kelly also on target. Johnathan Carter and Russell Cooper were the Bees’ goalscorers. Babbacombe Corinthians won 4-2 at home to Dartmouth AFC Reserves to move up to fourth.

There were also 20 goals scored in three games in Division Five with Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds winning the derby with Kingsteignton Athletic Thirds 6-0. Brixham AFC Thirds go level top with East Allington United Reserves after their 3-1 home victory over the Pirates and Torquay Town Reserves and Totnes and Dartington Reserves were inseperable as they fought out a 5-5 draw.

BACK ON TOP: Torbay Police came out on top of a seven goal thriller to reclaim their spot at the Premier Division summit. (c) MiraclePR

The battle between the top two in the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier Division could be an exciting one as Torbay Police ended East Allington’s short tenure at the top with a narrow 4-3 home win over Ivybridge Town Reserves, the team who lost to the Pirates a week earlier.

The Bees opened up the scoring when Bobby Chancellor set up Max Prestwood to volley home but the Ivies capitalised on some poor defending to equalise. The last word of the half went the home side’s way when the battling Zac Chancellor put his brother through to edge the Police into a 2-1 lead. Ivybridge were gifted a second equaliser after the break when home ‘keeper Chris Bashford misjudged a cross-cum-shot and the ball nestled into the net for 2-2. The home side then retook the lead for the third time when substitute Marc Hagland’s free-kick was headed in by Prestwood. When Liam Walton set up the industrious Curtis Clarke to fire home a left-footed belter, it looked to be all over for the visitors but they were rewarded for their efforts when a deflected shot went in to bring the game back to 4-3 and set up a nervy final minute.

The only other Premier game saw Newton Abbot ’66 end a four game losing streak with a 2-0 victory away at third-placed Plympton Athletic Reserves. Tom Lowe and Gordon Stevenson scored the goals which mean the Sixes have now completed the double over Plympton.

Five Premier teams were in Herald Cup action against lower division opponents and all of them made it through unscathed.

Meadowbrook Athletic made the lightest work of their task by smashing nine past Division Three side Bishopsteignton United without reply. Thoms Comyn led the scoring for Brook with a hat-trick and there were braces for both Myles Chalcraft and Liam Collings; Ben Field and Jack Johansen completed the rout.

Joshua Harris netted twice for Salcombe Town who dispatched Paignton Saints Reserves 5-0 at the Malborough Playing Fields. There was also the obligatory goal for Ash Yeoman along with strikes from Charlie Barnes and Fred Massey.

East Allington also progressed into the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Galmpton United. Mattias Bodman, Rob Tapper and Finley Bullen scored the Pirates’ goals with sub Kieran Dart on target for the Greens. Joshua Clarke scored the only goal at Armada Park as Buckland Athletic Development knocked out Upton Athletic.

Division One leaders Watts Blake Bearne are also in the last eight after a 6-2 triumph at Riviera United. Cam Gill claimed a hat-trick with Matt Elmore scoring twice and Jakeb Haywood-Cann also on target. WBB join Divison Two outfit Babbacombe Corinthians as the only non-Premier representatives in the quarter-finals.

Broadmeadow STFC completed the quintent of Premier winners in their delayed Third Round match at home to Barton Athletic. Barton pushed their hosts all the way in a 3-3 draw over 90 minutes but Broads netted an extra-time winner to set up a Fourth Round tie against the Torbay Police.