RANGERS ON THE RISE: Buckfastleigh have won three on the bounce. (c) Derek Castree

East Allington United will start the New Year at the top of the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier Division after winning 2-1 at home to Ivybridge Town Reserves on Saturday 28^th December.

The visitors took the lead in the first half but Finley Bullen struck after the break to equalise. It looked as if the points would be shared but when Andy Distin pointed to the spot in the last minute, Bullen was given the chance to clinch all three points. The striker didn’t disappoint and the Pirates start 2020 two points clear of Torbay Police who have a game in hand.

Something has clicked for Buckfastleigh Rangers recently. The Greens are now four unbeaten after a resounding 5-1 home victory over Broadmeadow STFC who also had Josh Goswell sent off. Steve Sutton netted twice, as did substitute Sam Johnston, with George Davidson their other goalscorer. Chris Bennett scored Broads’ consolation.

Johnston also popped up from the bench with a goal on Tuesday 17^th December as Rangers came from behind to knock an under-strength Harbertonford out of the Herald Cup 4-1. Sutton, Davidson and Ian Howse were also on target under the Duckspond floodlights as was Fords’ Kieran Brown who volleyed home Alex Boon’s corner for the unexpected opener.

Ten other teams will be battling to join Rangers in the quarter-finals on Saturday January 4th.

RANGERS RETURN: Buckfastleigh Rangers record their first league win since the first day of the season by beating Newton ’66 2-0. (c) Derek Castree

The weather took centre stage again last weekend and only one WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier Division game survived. It was played at the aptly named Duckspond, home to Buckfastleigh Rangers.

Rangers scored twice without reply against Newton Abbot’ 66 to secure their first league win since the opening day of the season. Declan Cowley and Darren Hughes scored the goals for Rangers.

With Windmill Hill one of the few playable pitches available, it was ironic that Dartmouth AFC Reserves were unable to raise a side to face Babbacombe Corinthians in the Herald Cup. As a result, Corries progress straight through to the last eight having played just one game (they had a bye in the first round).

Barton Athletic Reserves dispatched Brixham AFC Thirds 4-1 at Furzeham Green in the quarter-finals of the Fred Hewings Cup. Sam Pyne and Steven Rohan scored for Athletic along with Jordan Charlesworth and brother Connor (from the bench). Garry Drew managed a consolation goal for the Fishermen. Barton will play Torbay Police Reserves in February in the semis with the winners of that game taking on either Ipplepen Athletic Reserves or Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves in the final.

The only game in Division One saw Paignton Villa Reserves extend their unbeaten league run to four as they sent struggling Watcombe Wanderers Reserves to their ninth straight defeat. Wanderers scored three times but their main issue is clearly at the other end. Having shipped at least four goals in each of their previous eight league games, they conceded five this time. Joshua Washbrook scored four himself with Ciaran Farley Villa’s other marksman.

There were five goals and five goalscorers at Poole Lane as East Allington United Reserves extended their lead at the summit of Division Three. Jordon Eynon, Chris Jebb, Oliver Stainton, Finlay Watson and substitute Aidan Corcoran all made the score-sheet for the rampant Pirates to send Kingsteignton Athletic Thirds home empty-handed.

SHARING THE JOY: WBB scored 6 times with 6 different goalscorers as they defeated Riviera United away. (c) MiraclePR

Torbay Police still sit on top of the WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier Division but they are enduring something of a slump in form and could only manage a draw at struggling Buckfastleigh Rangers on Saturday.

Steven Sutton led the charge for the home side with a brace while Arren de Young also found the net. Goals from Matthew Bleakley, Zac Chancellor and substitute Max Prestwood ensured the Police left the Duckspond with a point.

Having picked up just two points in their last three games, the Bees have found their lead over East Allington United slashed to just a single point. The Pirates made it three wins and two clean sheets in succession as they scored two without reply at Brixham AFC Reserves, Luke Forward and Finley Bullen with the goals.

An important game at the top saw Salcombe Town reel in third-placed Plympton Athletic Reserves with a 2-1 victory at the Malborough Playing Fields. Ashley Yeoman kept up his record of scoring in every game so far with Lee Merchant the Crabs’ other goalscorer; Matt Mazzoni found the net for Plympton.

Meadowbrook Athletic haven’t played a league game since early October and they were in Herald Cup action again last weekend. Stoke Gabriel Reserves, who have been going well in Division One, managed to hold Brook to a 2-2 draw at the Dorothy Elmhirst but it was the Premier side which advanced to the Third Round, winning 5-4 on penalties.

After their surprise win over the Police a week earlier, Ipplepen Athletic made it two on the bounce on Saturday with a 3-0 home win over bottom side Beesands Rovers. Meanwhile, doubles from Callum Noyce and Calum Fyfe helped Buckland Athletic Development to a resounding 6-1 triumph over Newton Abbot ’66. Charlie Harding and Matthew Briant also found the net for Bucks.

After a poor start, Ivybridge Town Reserves are now enjoying a purple patch and made it three league wins in a row on Saturday. The Ivies edged a five goal affair 3-2 at Broadmeadow STFC to move above their opponents on goal difference.

Torbay Police Reserves will join Ipplepen Athletic Reserves and Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves in the semi-finals of the Fred Hewings Cup after they overcame stubborn first half resistance from Watts Blake Bearne Reserves to win 3-0 at Abbrook Park. Peter Andrews, Dan Beech and Keiran Crocker all scored for the Bees who will play the winner of Saturday’s clash between Brixham AFC Thirds and Barton Athletic Reserves in the final four.

Barton’s first team have made it through to the quarter-finals of the Firewatch Devon Senior Cup after winning 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Alphington Reserves. Barton will be the only SDFL side in with a chance of a county trophy after Upton Athletic crashed out 7-1 at Winkleigh in the same competition while Barton Reserves lost out 2-1 at home to South Molton in the A&S Devon Intermediate Cup.

The top three in Division One all won this weekend. Leaders Watts Blake Bearne beat Riviera United 6-2 at Whiterock with six different names on the score sheet: Cam Gill, Billy Clinch, Ant Williams, Matty Battishill, Luke Pellowe and Sam Stowell. Kingskerswell and Chelston hammered Dittisham United 10-0, Ash Beetschen with four goals, while Harbertonford defeated Watcombe Wanderers Reserves 5-0 at the Steve Jane Memorial Ground.

PREMIER SCALP: First Division leaders Watts Blake Bearne send Plympton out of their first ever Herald Cup. (c) MiraclePR

WBW (Solicitors) SDFL Premier leaders Torbay Police lost their unbeaten league record last Saturday while a rampant East Allington United took full advantage.

The Police were on top in the first half at home to Ipplepen Athletic but couldn’t convert their chances and came up against an inspired visiting goalkeeper. Despite their dominance, the Bees did look vulnerable at the back and conceded before half-time. When captain Luke Dandy was brought down in the box in the second half, he took the penalty himself and brought the hosts level. The Police once again looked the most likely but were caught out by a low, long-range free-kick and once more Ipplepen were in front. Then, a defensive mix-up resulted in a second penalty of the afternoon, this time for Ipplepen and the visitors fired home to earn a 3-1 victory.

Finley Bullen returned to haunt his former club Beesands Rovers as the East Allington goalscorer put four past the home side in an afternoon they will probably want to forget. Luke Forward also scored four times with Dan Bowles adding two to his tally in an emphatic 10-0 win for the Pirates who go second.

Brendan Boddy and Callum Glew made it back-to-back wins for Brixham AFC Reserves as they defeated Newton Abbot ’66 2-1 at Wall Park, Liam Ashwell with the Sixes’ effort. The remaining top tier game saw Ivybridge Town Reserves move above Buckfastleigh Rangers with their second league win of the season. Joe Algar, Adam Lake and Bradley Lowe were on target for the Ivies with Arren De Young and substitute Jay Barnard scoring for Rangers.

Salcombe Town ended Ilsington Villa’s cup run to take their place in the last 16 of the Herald Cup. Strikes from Ben Tapper, Ash Yeoman, Sam Inch, Joshua Harris and a Tom Smith own goal helped the Crabs to a deserved victory with a Jamie Beer free-kick consolation only for Villa.

Also into the hat are First Divison leaders Watts Blake Bearne after they dispatched Premier side Plympton Athletic Reserves 3-0 with goals from Billy Clinch, Cam Gill and Chris George. Harbertonford put two past Kingsbridge and Kellaton United without reply at the Loddiswell Playing Fields while Riviera United won 2-1 at Teign Village to also make the Third Round.

Meadowbrook Athletic are finally through to the Second Round after winning 2-1 at home to Paignton Villa Reserves.

A nine goal thriller in the Fred Hewings Cup saw Ipplepen Athletic Reserves beat Torquay Town Reserves 6-3 to go through to the semi-finals.

Kingskerswell and Chelston’s unbeaten start in Division One is over as they lost out 5-3 away to Stoke Gabriel Reserves who move above them into third spot on goal difference.

PIRATES PROGRESS: East Allington (here pictured in the 2018 Herald Cup final) move up to third in the Premier Division. (c) MiraclePR

Rain again disrupted play in the WBW (Solicitors) South Devon Football League with only three games fit to go ahead.

In the afternoon’s only league game, East Allington United moved up to third in the Premier Division with a 6-2 home victory over Ipplepen Athletic. A strike from James Ivatts and an own goal had given the Pirates a narrow 2-1 half-time lead before braces from Jamie Batchelor and Fin Bullen sealed the points in the second half.

The other two games were in the Herald Cup with Totnes and Dartington Reserves and Riviera United making the wise decision to move to the Ashmoor Sports Centre to get their delayed First Round tie out of the way. Division One side Rivi set up a Second Round tie at Teign Village by winning 3-1 against their Division Three opponents, their goals coming from Josh Passmore-Tarpey (a penalty), Callum Hale and substitute Matt O’Shea; Jake Osman netted for Tots, also from the penalty spot.

After defeating fellow Premier side Newton Abbot ’66 in the First Round, Ivybridge Town Reserves were sent out of the competition by Division Two outfit Babbacombe Corinthians at Windmill Hill. Jordan Bradshaw claimed a hat-trick for Corries with Joshua and Samuel Swann each scoring as Corries won 5-3.

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.