TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 7th FEB, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of WBB contributed by SDFL

On a Saturday where the rain reduced the South Devon grassroots football program to just one league game that had a massive effect at the top of division two; one Herald Cup tie that went the distance and two of our teams playing each other for a place in a county cup quarter-final, all played on artificial pitches.

Watts Blake Bearne are this week the toast of the South Devon Football League following a comprehensive 3-nil victory over Paignton Villa in the county Senior Cup at South Devon College (full report on Daves World). Goals from Fraser Hossack, Billy Robbins and Ant Williams have set up a quarter-final tie in Tiverton, where they will face Elmore Seconds who are not having a great season in their division having won only once at home so far. The achievement from WBB this season should not be overlooked, as it was just twelve months ago that they sat down with the league management to present a survival plan, and here they are looking forward to what may be ahead. At present, the quarter-final is due to be played on 21^st February.

In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries thought outside the box and were quick off the mark to hire the 3g at Paignton Community College to get a game played. The visitors East Allington United Seconds had a full squad available to choose from, and the extra players that were available clearly made a difference. Goals from Jake Blamey (2), Harry Witham and Sam Quick gave the Pirates a 4-1 victory that moves them up to joint fourth with Paignton Villa Seconds, and just one point behind Ivybridge Town Reserves. Corries are still in second place with two games in hand and a five point gap, but above them, Signal Box Oak Villa are now seven points clear having played one more game.

The one Herald Cup game that was played, courtesy of the artificial surface at Coach Road, was an all-Premier Division clash between Paignton Saints and Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds. The game was, as expected, a tight affair between the two teams sitting in fifth and sixth in the division. Saints were in front for a long period following a great strike from Jake Powell and looked as if they were going to run out 1-nil winners, but a late, late goal from Aiden Blackie sent the game into extra-time where neither defence could be breached, and a penalty shoot-out was going to appoint the first team into this season’s quarter-final. Even the shoot-out was a tense affair with Saints scoring all five and Spurs missing their fifth kick. With the weather as it is, Saints may have to wait for some time to find out who they will face for a place in the semi-final.

Games to hopefully catch on Saturday 14^th February:

Division Three side Galmpton United host Premier Division outfit The Windmill in a banana skin Herald cup fixture, and WBB face an Ashburton side in what could be a tasty tie. In the Premier Division, East Allington United host Newton Abbot ’66 who really need to get some games played, and Ilsington Villa play Kingsteignton Athletic in a game that normally provides Premier Division football at its best. The big game in Division Two features the top two teams, Signal Box and Babbacombe Corries, in a ‘don’t lose’ game for Corries, and in Division Three, South Brent become the latest team to try to get that unbeaten record from Kingskerswell.

All fixtures are on the SDFL Full-Time web page, cup games KO 2pm, league games 2.30pm.

Enjoy your grassroots football, weather permitting.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 3rd JAN, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of The Windmill contributed by SDFL

The Herald Cup brought 2026 into focus for South Devon’s footballers resulting in heartbreak, big scorelines and last minute controversy, with two recent finalists bowing out in the Second Round.

Premier Division Windmill were the headliners in the Herald Cup with a 14-1 victory at Division Four Broadhempston United; there were two goals each for Jack Biscoe, Miles Hunt, Ethan Jones and Corbin Mackin, but it was Brodie Simpson who stole the show with five goals to give the Plymouth side a safe passage into Round Three. Division One outfit Barton Athletic put in a good performance and scored through Oakley Hunt, but they were no match for Premier Side Lakeside Athletic who won 4-1 at Barton Downs in front of a decent crowd that must have been freezing.

The two all-Premier Division ties were always destined to end in disappointment for two of the teams, and both games cemented the thoughts that any team can beat any team in this division. At Broadpark, East Allington United thought they had equalised in the 94^th minute against Kingsteignton Athletic only for the assistant to flag an offside, and the goal was disallowed. Mathew Elwood put the Rams in front before Martin Finneron got the Pirates back into the game, but it was a side-footed shot from Jake Haywood Cann, four minutes from time, that eventually won the game for Kingsteignton after a second half full of missed chances from both teams, including a penalty save. Just across town, Newton Abbot ’66 said goodbye to a cup run after a pulsating game versus Chudleigh Athletic that went to extra time. Jake Cogavin scored a late winner for the visitors to save everybody from a penalty shootout. In the 90, George Davidson was on target for Chudleigh and Tom Lowe for Sixes who ended the game with ten players (full report and photos on Daves World). Premier Division Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves welcomed Division Four outfit Teign Village to the Rec, and the Villagers were no match for the league’s champions. Aiden Blackie, Mason Turpin, Jacob Wales and Dev Webb were all on target for Spurs in a 5-nil victory.

Paignton Saints firsts were taken all the way to a penalty shootout by Division Two side Babbacombe Corries at Coach Road. The teams were tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra-time, and with the first 12 penalties being superbly executed, it was Saints who won it in the end 7-6 and go into the hat for Round Three.

In the all-Division One tie, Bovey Tracey Reserves made short work of Paignton Villa with a 4-1 win that puts the Moorlanders into the hat, gives them yet another fixture to schedule and keeps them in three knockout competitions and banging on the door for promotion in what is going to be an exciting second half of the season for them. WBB are also through to Round Three following a tough afternoon against the Division Two leaders Signal Box Oak Villa. The home team just had the edge in an entertaining fixture, and a reminder that the visitors won the Plymouth Premier Division last season, so it was a good result for the Claymen at Abbrook Park.

In the few league games that were played, Waldon Athletic Thirds remain unbeaten in Division Four. A five-nil victory over Paignton Saints Thirds, with two goals each from Charlie Charlesworth and Elliot Glasser and a single from Daniel Omonuwa, was enough to keep the Clarets heading into mid-table as they have only played five games. Paignton Villa Thirds picked up three good points at Brixham Town Seconds to move into mid-table safety, whilst the home team have slipped back with only their third loss of the campaign.

In Division Three, Galmpton United moved within touching distance of the leaders with a comprehensive 7-1 win versus Ipplepen Athletic Reserves courtesy of four goals from Harley Hooper, two from Austin White and one from Jack Tribble; it starts what could be a happy New Year for the Galmpton faithful.

It’s always good to be able to report a team that has struggled for many years begin to turn a corner on the pitch and pick up some wins, and Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds had a great result with a 4-2 win versus Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds who remain in third place, whilst Rangers move into mid-table with their third win in four outings, which will give everybody at the club a bit of a lift.

In Division Two’s only league fixture, East Allington United Reserves battled out a 1-1 draw with Paignton Saints Seconds at Poole Lane; both teams remain in mid-table thanks to the point.

There were three games that beat the frost in Division One, and in the promotion contenders game, Mount Gould just had the edge over Brixham Town in a 4-3 thriller; strikes from Bentley Alcantara, Mohamed Kherras, Aaron Spear and Tyler Wark keep the Plymouth side on course for a second promotion in two seasons, whilst the visitors remain well placed just one point off the lead and will be there or thereabouts come May. Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds finally won their first game of the season with a hard fought 4-2 win at fellow strugglers Watcombe Wanderers; Nik Garrett was the hero for Spurs scoring all four goals at a bitterly cold Long Lane. Spurs remain second from bottom but are still in touching distance of Liverton United who picked up only their second win of the campaign against a young Buckland Athletic Reserves side, by five goals to four at Halford.

Games to catch on Saturday 10^th January:

Two standout games in the top division, and both are in Plymouth: Windmill will be looking to continue their form from 2025 into the new year when Newton Abbot ’66 pay a visit to Millennium Fields, and over at Ernesettle, Lakeside Athletic will face a stiff challenge when Newton Spurs visit looking to take some points back up the A38, both teams looking to keep in form in 2026. In Division One, there is a fascinating encounter at JC park: Brixham Town meet WBB in a third v first fixture, where just one point separates the two sides, and at South Devon College, Paignton Villa face Bovey Tracey for the second time in a week, this time in asecond v fifth league game, and the top of this division could look a lot different after these two games. In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries will be hoping that Paignton Villa Seconds do not become the first team to beat them in the league this season, and Harbertonford face an Ashburton side who have promotion firmly in their sights but will need to be at their best to come away from the Steve Jane Ground with any points.

There are a couple of potential banana skin games in the Herald Cup to watch: Division Two side Newton Rovers face Premier Division Ilsington Villa at Bakers Park, and South Brent, from Division Three, will fancy their chances when they host Premier Division strugglers Buckfastleigh Rangers at 2pm.

Enjoy your grassroots football in 2026.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 13th DEC, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves contributed by SDFL

Jayden Brent and Jake Powell may have shared the man of the match award as Paignton Saints sent the supporters home for a happy Christmas following their 6-1 home win versus the reigning champions, but make no mistake, this was a great team performance against a good Newton Abbot Spurs side.

On target for Saints were Joe Perry (2), Jake Powell (2), Brandon Kelly and Mynyta Cherneiski. The result sees Saints leapfrog Spurs and East Allington United into third place; Spurs drop to fifth, two points behind, but have two games in hand. Windmill returned to winning ways with a hard fought 3-1 win over Ilsington Villa who travelled to Plymouth without their top goalscorer who opted to play in an FA Vase game at Step 6. Brodie Simpson was the star man for the home team, netting twice, and Alex Photiou added to Villas woes with a well-taken goal to keep Windmill in a good place going into the new year. No other Premier Division games went ahead due to waterlogged grounds, but Totnes and Dartington had a shock defeat to Division One side Elburton Villa Reserves by 3 goals to 1 in the Herald Cup. Villa have not had much good news to share recently, as they lost their third team during the summer and the second team were relegated from the top division, so well done to them for being in the hat for the next round of the cup.

In Division One, Paignton Villa returned to pole position for the second time this season with a comprehensive 6-nil win over Liverton United, Tom Evans with a hat-trick. Seb Knight, Babbucarr Colley and Yahya Sulliman were all on target for Villa, and I am sure they will enjoy being at the top of the tree the week before Christmas in a Division where the top eight teams are still in contention for promotion. Beesands Rovers had a close call at bottom club Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds, but a 4-3 victory keeps the Bees just two points off of top place in fourth but, incredibly, with a negative goal difference that could be crucial come May. The goals were courtesy of a Jack Hopkins hat-trick and a single from Adam Keates. Watts Blake Bearne also had a good win on the road. A 4-1 win against Watcombe Wanderers keeps Wattsies in third place, and a victory at Bovey Tracey Reserves on Saturday 20^th December, in the only game on the day, would see them leapfrog Paignton Villa on to the top of the tree for Christmas. Bovey, on the other hand, would not move any places with a win but would be within three points of the top. There was an all-Division One Herald Cup tie played at JC Park, where Brixham Town faced Barton Athletic (match report and photos on Daves World). Liam Northcott and Oakley Hunt were on target for ten man Barton Athletic who were made to hang on to their 2-1 win for a place in the next round.

The game of the day in Division Two was at Ivybridge Town Reserves, where visitors Babbacombe Corries inflicted a second defeat in three weeks over the Ivies. This time, a 3-nil win was enough for the Torquay-based team to remain two points behind leaders Signal Box Oak Villa but with a game in hand. Paignton Saints Seconds had a good day at the office with a 5-nil win at Newton Rovers. The win opens up an eight point gap that leaves the bottom three adrift. Incredibly, Saints Seconds are fourth from bottom with a positive goal difference.

In Division Three, Galmpton United gave up their unbeaten tag by losing 4-3 to Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves in a pulsating game that was a credit to this level of football. Even with this loss, Galmpton stay in second place some eight points ahead of the Rams but now six points behind the unbeaten leaders Kingskerwell who won 5-nil at home to Ipplepen Athletic Reserves with goals from new signing Ben Carter, Alex Harding, Loius Horton, Gareth McEwan and Stephen Rohan. Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds and Stoke Gabriel TP Reserves slogged out a 2-2 draw at a treacle-covered Osborne Park where really a point was not what either of these teams needed, but Sixes are only three points behind second place going into the new year.

The big game in Division Four went the way of the visitors Teign Village with a fine 3-1 win at Chudleigh Athletic Seconds and another first loss of the season for the home team. A William Allen hat-trick won the game for Village and keeps them well placed in third, five points off the lead with two games in hand. Brixham Town Seconds also remain well placed in fourth following a 4-1 win at Kingsbridge and Kellaton United. The Fishermen are three points off second with two games in hand. That team are Bere Alston United who had a 9-1 win at Paignton Saints Thirds, and they look determined to hold on to their promotion spot in their first season in the SDFL. Barton Athletic Seconds also moved into a challenging position with a 6-nil win at bottom club Newton Rovers Reserves. The Torquay-based side are now just three points behind second place with a game in hand. This division now has five teams in the mix for two guaranteed promotion slots.

With Chudleigh Athletic Seconds and Galmpton United losing this week, it leaves just Waldon Athletic Thirds in Division Four and Babbacombe Corries in Division Two unbeaten, and Kingskerswell in Division Three with a 100% record.

Games to catch this week

Friday night football returns to Coach Road on the 19^th December in what is labelled Fair Play Friday. The event is hosted by Devon County Football Association and supported by the South Devon Football League to reward well behaved teams an opportunity to play under lights at no expense to themselves.

This week’s fixture is a Division Four encounter between Paignton Saints Thirds and Broadhempston United and has a 7.30 pm kick off. Whilst both teams are at the wrong end of the table and both could do with a win, incredibly, Saints are the second highest scorers in the division but have conceded the most goals. Broads, on the other hand, are the third lowest scorers in the division and have an equally leaky defence, so this could finish 6-6 or nil-nil. What is certain is a great night of pre-Christmas South Devon League football just before the festive break kicks in.

In Division One on Saturday 20^th, Bovey Tracey Reserves have been proactive in arranging a fixture versus WBB to get one of their three games in hand played. That has a 2.30pm kick off.

The SDFL would like to wish all players, coaches, supporters, volunteers and their families the very best for Christmas and a healthy and happy 2026.

Thank you all for what you do for grassroots football.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 29th NOV, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves contributed by SDFL

Sixteen games survive another soggy Saturday, and the last unbeaten record in the Premier Division blows away.

They say that the sign of a good team is retaining a title. If that is true, then Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves (pictured) took a giant step towards that target by inflicting the first loss of the season for Windmill F.C. (full match report with photos on Daves World). A 2 – 1 win for the home team, thanks to goals from Jacob Wales and Aiden Blackie, puts Spurs well-placed in third just two points behind Windmill and seven points off the lead with 3 games in hand, and not forgetting that two seasons ago, this would have been a league game at Step 7. Plymouth True Blues continue to set the pace but once again, it was no easy afternoon for the Gers; they were made to work for the points in a close 2 – 1 victory at Coach Road in the sunshine, whilst the result leaves Saints down in eighth place. They are only four points off of third with a lot of football to be played. East Allington United extended their good form with a comprehensive 4 – 1 win versus a good Kingsteignton Athletic side; the result moves the Pirates into that fourth place with a positive goal difference and incredibly, leaves the Rams third from bottom and needing to get their season back on track, possibly next week at the Windmill.

Only two league games went ahead in Division One, and Beesands Rovers jumped three places with a 2 – 1 home win over Buckland Athletic Reserves with goals from Adam Winkworth and Brad Williams. The result moves the Bees up to fourth place level on points with WBB who did not play. Paignton Villa also won by the same scoreline with strikes from Seb Knight and Sam Omara; the result puts Villa up into second place in a very open competition. In fact, Watcombe, in ninth, are only 4 points away from third place.

In Division Two, the grounds teams must have been on overtime as we had an almost full program of fixtures. Result of the day must surely go to Babbacombe Corries who won 8 – 1 in a second versus third game against Ivybridge Town Reserves at their new home in Long Lane; Corries remain one of only three unbeaten teams in all divisions and move a point ahead of their rivals with three games in hand and in good form. Ashburton are also in good form, and a 3 – 2 home win versus Harbertonford, with goals from Derek Cartmill, Brandon Hext and Kameron Pouladdej, keeps them well placed to challenge for honours. Signal Box Oak Villa continue to lead the division by two points from Corries, but they have played a game more. A 5 – 3 win versus Paignton Villa Seconds, with goals from Callum Austin, Joseph Haslam, Keiron Roberts and regular target man Jordan Rickards (2), keeps the Plymouth based side on top for now and, hopefully, enjoying the competition in their first season in the SDFL. The game of the day, in this division, had to be the basement battle at Armada Park where Upton Athletic faced Newton Rovers who had not won this season until today; 4 – 2 to Rovers was the final score in a game that could have ended 6 – 6, and like most games played on grass this week, was a treading treacle affair with not a lot of passing football; the result takes Rovers out of the bottom three for the first time this season and gives them some confidence moving forward.

In Division Three, Kingskerswell overcame another hurdle towards the divisional winners trophy; a 6 – 1 success at Waldon Athletic Reserves keeps them three points clear at the top with a game in hand and looking unstoppable for another season. The points difference could have been more had it not been for a last minute penalty at Osborne Park for second placed Galmpton United who looked to be heading for their first loss of the season when Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves came from a goal down to take the lead and hold on to it until the 96^th minute. A poor challenge in the ’66 penalty box gave the visitors the chance to save the day which they duly accepted after the ‘keeper saved the kick and Martin Luker was the first to get to the rebound. The final score was 2 – 2; Callum Foskett and Keegan Cooper were on target for Sixes. Totnes and Dartington Seconds picked up a good point in their game with Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds; this also ended 2 – 2 which keeps Tots on the bottom but just one point from mid-table where the Rams sit at present.

In Division Four, a single goal from Charlie Potter separated Bere Alston United from Brixham Town Seconds and moves them into second place, one point ahead of Teign Village but having played three more games. Chudleigh Athletic Reserves remain eight points clear at the top and did not play this week. Four of the bottom five played, and only Paignton Saints Thirds went home without any points. A 3 – 2 win for neighbours Paignton Villa Thirds moves them up three places and seven points clear of the wooden spoon. Broadhempston United and Kingsbridge & Kellaton United fought out a 2 – 2 draw in a soggy affair; Stuart Hannay and Daniel Wells were the target men for the Robins.

Games to catch on Saturday 6^th December

All eyes will be on the Premier Division where there are some early Christmas treats to be had in the form of some great fixtures all worth a watch.

Plymouth True Blues host Lakeside Athletic in a derby game where a win for the home team opens up a big gap between the two but an away victory is probably the result the other teams in the division would want; kick off is 2.30pm at Millbay Park. The other Plymouth based team with an interest is Windmill who host Kingsteignton Athletic who came very close to winning the home game a few weeks ago, and the Rams will be hoping to bring something in the form of points back up the A38. Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves face an Ilsington Villa team that have a bit of catch up to do, plus add in the fact that Spurs pipped them for the title back in May will add some festive spice to the game. Totnes and Dartington host Chudleigh Athletic in a must not lose game at the wrong end of the table to avoid being set adrift from the rest, and at Coach Road, Paignton Saints welcome East Allington United where both teams could jump into the top five with a win. The final Premier Division fixture is at Buckfastleigh Rangers who face a Newton Abbot ’66 team looking to bounce back and cement their position in the top three whilst the home team just need that first win.

Fixtures to catch outside the top division include Bovey Tracey Reserves’ visit to Barton Downs to face Barton Athletic in what will be a difficult game to win the points, and Watcombe Wanderers’ visit to Brixham Town will test the credentials of the Greens. In Division Two, Paignton Villa Seconds travel to a resurgent Ivybridge Town Reseves in what should be a good game, and Drake F.C. will have the pleasure of a Long Lane experience when they play Watcombe Wanderers Seconds. In Division Three, Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds become the latest team to try to take points from Kingskerswell who are in danger of running away with another divisional title. The big game in Division Four is at Teign Village where they face Brixham Town Seconds in a Second versus fourth fixture that should entertain the neutrals.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 22nd NOV, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Liverton United contributed by SDFL

With the wet weather once again taking its toll on South Devon’s grassroots football fixtures, this was a weekend where just ten games survived with nine of them having an impact on the teams in the bottom half of the divisions.

In the Premier Division, four of the bottom five teams played and two of them picked up valuable survival points. Totnes and Dartington gave up the lead at home to East Allington United in a 2 – 1 loss and had many supporters in disbelief that they were watching a relegation battle. Scott Troth opened the scoring for Tots only for Dan Bowles and Rob Tapper to hit the target for the Pirates. The win puts East Allington fifth from bottom but only three points from third; Tots, however, are now four points from safety and just need a win to boost confidence. They are level on points at the bottom with Buckfastleigh Rangers who cannot buy a win at the moment. They were level at the break in the fixture at in form Chudleigh Athletic, but two late goals sealed a priceless victory for the home team. George Davidson and Gavin Hammon scored the opening three goals, but those late winners came from Gavin and Jason Lake to move the Clarets four points clear and above Kingsteignton Athletic who had the day off.

There were no league games played in Division One, so it’s as you were with Brixham Town five points clear at the top but pre-season favourites Bovey Tracey Reserves and Mount Gould some way behind but with enough games in hand, and just cast your mind back to last season when Mount Gould were at one stage 23 points behind and then won eight games in a row. Will history repeat itself?

Division Two had three games that went ahead, and down at the bottom, Upton Athletic were made to suffer again: an 8 – 1 loss at the hands of East Allington United Seconds; Lee Prestage, Sam Quick, Faical Benazeza and Harley Witham were all on target for the home team. The result leaves Upton joint bottom with Newton Rovers who they play next Saturday at Armada Park. Ivybridge Town Reserves were certainly made to work for the points in a ten goal thriller at Coach Road; the 6 – 4 victory for the Bridgers moves them into second place above gameless Corries who may be two points behind but sit with three games in hand. Paignton Villa Seconds continue to impress, and a 5 – 2 win at home to Watcombe Wanderers Seconds puts them into fourth place and just one game from completing half of their fixtures.

Division Three could only offer one league game, and Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds dropped a couple of points in their quest to hang on to the coat tails of Galmpton and ‘Kerswell at the top. They had to settle for a 2 – 2 draw against a good Kingsteignton Athletic Second team in a squelchy affair at Osborne Park. Jordan Pidwell and Freddie Hulance were on target for the home team. The result leaves Sixes four points behind with no games in hand.

In Division Four, Chudleigh Athletic Seconds moved nine points clear of second placed Teign Village with a thumping 10 – 1 victory at Broadhempston United. Jack Salmons scored five and Jack Wills scored a hat-trick; Charley Forey also found the back of the net in the comprehensive win that sends out that ‘catch us if you can’ message. Waldon Athletic Thirds may only have played four league games but they are in recovery mode, and a 5 – 1 win versus bottom club Newton Rovers Seconds will give them some confidence to remain unbeaten; Leo Driscoll, Elliot Glasser, Marley Isaac and Kalyan Kurup were all on target for the Torquay-based team.

Cup update:

In the replayed Herald Cup fixture, Lakeside Athletic won the derby game versus Mount Gould by two goals to one in a fiercely contested game that did not end with the same number of players that started it. There was a big attendance at the Enclosure for a game that was described as very entertaining. Lakeside go into the hat for the next round which will be drawn on Monday 15^th December and will also be joined by Bovey Tracey Reserves who won their local derby against Liverton United (pictured) by three goals to nil; Sam Barnes, Alistair Chuchuk and Ben Goble were on target for Bovey.

In the County Premier Cup, Newton ’66 went out at the hands of Plymouth Marjon from Step 7 leaving Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves and Ilsington Villa carrying the SDFL flag into the last eight, and those games are on 16^th January.

Safely through in the Senior Cup are WBB who won a penalty shootout against Exeter opposition in City Raiders. But Buckland Athletic Reserves had a long trip home following a 5 – 1 loss at South Zeal.

In the Intermediate Cup competition, favourites Kingskerswell are through after a 7 – 2 win versus Exeter side Uplowman; they are joined by South Brent who had a walkover against Heavitree United and finally, Teign Village are also through following a 4 – 2 home win versus Exeter University Seventh team. I would just say a big well done to the club secretary that looks after seven teams. That must be a part-time job or a dissertation.

Games to catch on Saturday 29^th November:

In the Premier Division, and the game of the day should be at Newton Rec where Spurs Seconds face a Windmill team who remain unbeaten this season and with a 2.30 kick off, should draw a decent crowd. For those looking for a game in the west, then look no further than Mount Gould who will have their toughest league test when Bovey Tracey Reserves visit the Enclosure looking for three points in their quest for promotion, and Paignton Villa will be looking to keep their good form going when Watcombe Wanderers are the vistors to South Devon College. In Division Two, the delayed relegation battle takes place at Armada Park when Upton Athletic face Newton Rovers in a game that neither wants to lose, and its second versus third at Long Lane where Babbacombe Corries will welcome Ivybridge Town Reserves. In Division Three, it’s also second versus third at Osborne Park where the visitors Galmpton United will be looking to make this division a two horse race if they beat Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds, and sparks could fly at Kingskerswell when Liverton Utd Seconds visit the Bowl. In Division Four, Bere Alston United Reserves will need to leave home early for their trip to Brixham Town Seconds in a third versus fourth game that will be worth a watch.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 15th NOV, report by Alastair Muirden.

For the first time this season, the league management issued a wet weather protocol for clubs which affected the reduced league program of only 14 games, of which only four went ahead, and due to the County Cups competition being fixtured, this was also close to a washout with just five being played.

One year ago to the day, Plymouth True Blues had made it to the top of Division One, scoring three goals against Windmill. Fast forward 12 months, and they are now on top of the Premier Division thanks to scoring three goals against Totnes and Dartington. The result was testament to the quality of competition in this division where there is little to choose between top and bottom, and on another day, the visitors, who scored twice, could have got something from the game. On target for the Blues were Tyler Almond and super sub Lee Phillips who scored twice. Bliues move two points clear of Windmill and six clear of Newton Abbot ’66 in third, and interestingly, East Allington United, who are fifth from bottom, are 11 points behind but have four games in hand.

Ashburton took advantage of the non runners and cruised into fourth place with a 5 – 2 home win versus Paignton Saints Seconds thanks to goals from golden boot chaser Lee Grimshaw (2), Dan Steer, Sean Richards and Alex Hambly. The result leaves Saints fourth from bottom but on this form, they will be picking up enough points to be top of the bottom half of the division which at the moment, seems to be in two parts.

Incredibly, the game at Harbertonford went ahead where normally it only has to cloud over for the game to be off, but all credit to the volunteers who managed to keep the water in the river and flowing away from the pitch. A 1 – 1 draw against a good Paignton Villa Second team keeps both teams just five points off second place and more than capable of challenging as the season goes on.

In Division Four, the only game to survive was on the council owned Bakers Park, where Newton Rovers Seconds hosted Barton Athletic Seconds, and it was the Torquay based team who came away with the points in a 2-nil win that puts them joint third with Brixham Town Seconds and Bere Alston United Reserves; Rovers remain rooted to the bottom and could really do with a morale boosting win to set them up for the rest of the season.

County Cups:

Three games went ahead in the Premier Cup, and safely through to the next round are Ilsington Villa, who won at home to Sidmouth Town Seconds 7 – 3. Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves won the all South Devon game 5 – 2 at East Allington United, but one of the favourites, Lakeside Athletic, crashed out 4-nil at Appledore. Now that’s a long journey home.

In the Senior Cup, through to the next round are Bovey Tracey Reserves and Mount Gould who both got a walkover from North and East Devon clubs. Beesands Rovers came close but lost against Exeter opposition in a penalty shootout.

In the Intermediate Cup, Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds also lost in a penalty shootout in Exeter, but well done to Totnes and Dartington Seconds who won 1-nil versus mid Devon club Sandymere Blues thanks to a John Smith winner which they held on to for 76 minutes.

Golden Boot update:

The top three goalscorers in each division are: In the Premier, Callum Noyce of Ilsington Villa leads the way with 12 league goals followed by JJ Honeywell (Lakeside Athletic) and Gavin Lake (Chudleigh Athletic), both on 8.

In Division One, Bentley Alcantara of Mount Gould has 9 and team mate Ray Spear is on 8; Suliman Yahya of Paignton Villa has scored 7 times.

Division Two’s front runner is Lee Grimshaw of Ashburton with 11; Louis George of Drake F.C. and Jordan Rickards of Signal Box are both on 10 league goals each.

In Division Three, Ollie Critchlow of Kingskerswell is on 11 as is Harley Hooper of Galmpton United; Daniel Trzise of Stoke Gabriel TP is on 10 goals.

Division Four has the overall leader at the moment in Jack Salmons of Chudleigh Athletic Seconds who has found the net on 16 occasions so far, so well done to Jack. Lewis Reeman of Brixham Town is on 9, and Alexander Easson of Teign Village is in third place on 7 league goals.

Games to catch on Saturday 22^nd November:

These fixtures are subject to change to allow the postponed County Cup games to be played, so please check the full-time website before travelling to a game.

Whilst most games in the Premier Division are big, well-supported games, some just catch the eye as games that can shape the division. Chudleigh Athletic host Buckfastleigh Rangers in a November relegation battle!!! Out of form Ilsington Villa play Lakeside Athletic, who really can’t afford to lose again so early in the season; Newton Abbot ’66 travel to Windmill looking to become the first team to get the better of the Plymouth side; True Blues travel to champions and in form Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves in an attempt to keep their own winning run intact and Totnes and Dartington host East Allington United in a game where both teams could do with picking up three points.

In Division One, two of the top three meet at JC park where Brixham Town play WBB in what should be a cracker, and there is an all Division One derby in the Herald Cup at Bovey Tracey Reserves where Liverton United are the visitors. In Division Two, the top two meet at Long Lane where Babbacombe Corries meet Signal Box, who will be looking to be the first team to beat Corries this season, and in the same division, Ashburton will need to be at their best to come home from Drake F.C. with three points. In Division Three, there is a tasty tie at Osborne park where Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds meet Kingskerswell and get their chance to beat the runaway leaders for the first time, and finally, in Division Four, what could be the South Devon League equivalent of Truro playing Gateshead is Teign Village playing at Bere Alston in a second versus fourth fixture. Safe travels.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 8th NOV, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves contributed by SDFL

In the First Round of the flagship knockout competition, the results went with the form book much to the disappointment of the lower-ranked teams that took them to the wire. Division Three leaders Kingskerswell took Premier Division champions Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves to within four minutes of going to extra-time and could have won the game themselves had they been more clinical in front of goal. But it was the current champions who scored late on to take their place in Round Two with a 3 – 2 win with goals from Matt Williams (2) and Aiden Blackie (a full match report with photos are available on Daves World proboards for this fixture). Beesands Rovers also came close to knocking out Premier Division East Allington United in a South Hams derby, but the Pirates just had that bit extra and came through with a 2 – 1 victory. Dan Bowles scored both goals to give Geraldine the perfect birthday present and put the Pirates into Round Two. Division One Mount Gould took Lakeside Athletic to extra-time in a game that ended 1 – 1 after 90 minutes. Unfortunately, they went straight to a penalty shootout, which is not in the rules, so they will have to replay the fixture. Teign Village of Division Four claimed their place in the Second Round with a 5-nil win over Waldon Athletic Seconds from Division Three; they replaced the first team that withdrew from the competition, but the whole club have been struggling of late so the form book would have favoured the Villagers. There were two all Division One games in the cup, and WBB booked their place with a tough 4 – 2 win versus Watcombe Wanderers, but over in Brixham, the game against Barton Athletic was abandoned due to a serious knee injury that required the services of an ambulance, so that game will likely be replayed. In the all Division Two cup game, Babbacombe Corries remain unbeaten and their impressive start to the season reached new heights with a 5 – 1 win against a good Drake F.C. side who return to Plymouth hoping for a longer stay in the divisional cup when it starts.

For the second week in a row, result of the day goes to Chudleigh Athletic; goals from Gavin Lake and Riley Snell dug out a great 2 – 2 draw at Ilsington Villa who have dropped five points in their last two games and are now six points off the lead which is still held by Windmill, who also had a good win by 3 goals to 1 at Kingsteignton who have not had the best starts to November and could do with a win to get back into mid-table. Plymouth True Blues remain in second place just one point behind their neighbours. With Ilsington dropping points and Spurs and Lakeside on cup duty, Newton Abbot ’66 slipped into third place with a hard fought 3 – 1 win over Paignton Saints who have been on a bit of a run recently; goals from Liam Ashwell, Callum Foskett and Cody Monk sealed the deal for Sixes who have only dropped 6 points so far, and it remains a very open competition.

There were no league games in Division One, but Signal Box took advantage of Corries being on cup duty by moving into top spot with a 7 – 1 thrashing of East Allington Reserves; strikes from Jake Cribb, Joe Haslem, Harley Mitchell, Paul Thompson and a double from a name that seems to get on the team sheet most weeks: Jordan Rickards. Harbertonford had an unexpected victory at home to promotion contenders Ivybridge Town Reserves; goals from Isaac Phillips and Zach Tiddy secured three valuable points for the Fords who move into mid-table, whilst Ivies stay third, three points off the lead.

At the top of Division Three, Galmpton United moved to within one point of the unbeaten leaders Kingskerswell with a great 5-nil victory over an experienced Liverton United side that won the reverse fixture just four weeks ago, and two of the promotion outsiders, Stoke Gabriel TP and Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds, had to settle for a 1 – 1 draw that neither wanted but would probably settle for as both are capable of beating anybody on their day, and both sit in mid-table this week. Ipplepen Athletic Reserves picked up points for the second week in a row. This week it was a nil-nil draw versus Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds in a game that neither could afford to lose, so another 22 happy customers will probably be happy with the point.

In Division Four, Chudleigh Athletic Reserves took advantage of their closest rivals being on cup duty by beating Paignton Villa Thirds by 4 goals to 1 at Kate Brook; the win puts the Clarets six points clear of Teign Village and eight points clear of Brixham Town in third. They had the long journey to Bere Alston United, and whilst they contributed to a great game of football, they were on the wrong side of a 5 – 4 result. Ryan Smale scored a hat-trick, and a brace for Callum Mitchell moved the home team into fourth place on goal difference. Broadhempston United had a good win on the road against Barton Athletic Seconds; a 2 – 1 win moves the Broads seven points behind Bere Alston with three games in hand. Paignton Saints Thirds had a good win at home to Kingsbridge and Kellaton United; 7 – 1 was the final score and moves Saints level on points with Broadhemston. This week’s fact for the statos out there: after next week’s games, Saints Thirds will have played half of their games for the season, so well done to them.

Games to catch on Saturday 15^th November.

Once again, County Cup games take priority, but there are some great league games being played.

Lots of important fixtures at both ends of most of the divisions, but we can start with a tasty tie in the Premier Division at in form Chudleigh Athletic who host Windmill in what will be a difficult challange for the Plymouth side hoping to keep their good form going. In Division One, Watcombe Wanderers host Liverton United at Long Lane with both teams desperate to put some points on the board. Division Two has a couple of fixtures that stand out. At the top, Ivybridge Town Reserves host second top of the table Babbacombe Corries at Erme Valley, but my game of the day is a relegation blockbuster at Armada Park where the bottom two meet in a massive game for both Upton Athletic and Newton Rovers. A win for either would take them out of the bottom two, but a home win could leave the Rovers team adrift. In Division Three, Waldon Athletic face Galmpton United at Windmill Hill, and in Division Four, there is a repeat of last week’s game, that had nine goals at Brixham Town, when Bere Alston United make their longest trip of the season to the seaside. All of the above games have a 2.30pm kick off.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 1st NOV, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of The Windmill contributed by SDFL

Paignton Villa turned on the style for the crowd in the first of three Fair Play fixtures at Coach Road. The game produced lots of tricks and treats and both teams not only contributed to an entertaining game of football, Both agreed to donate the gate money to Plymouth and District Leukaemia Fund. On the pitch, Villa ran out winners by five goals to three thanks to goals from Yanya Suliman, Tom Evans, Charlie Thomas and Babbucar Colley. The win takes them into fourth place, just one point off of the top two, and whilst Beesands slip down to sixth place, they are only three points off the top in what is a very close division. The SDFL would also like to thank DCFA for hosting the fixture which is one of three games that are being offered to teams with an exemplary discipline record.

The SDFL Premier Division is looking a bit different now that the Waldon Athletic effect has been actioned. The withdrawal of Torquay’s only Premier Division team has left Barton Athletic in Division One as the highest ranked grassroots team in Torquay to play in the SDFL, and whilst the league and club have spent a month or more trying to save the first team from pulling out of the competition, the bottom line is that it is difficult to attract players to play for a struggling team or expect second or third team players to step up to play in what is a tough division with good teams.

On the pitch, there are only four points separating the top seven teams, and it’s a Plymouth first and second this week with unbeaten Windmill leading the way following a 5 – 2 win over Totnes and Dartington, and right behind them are True Blues who were held to a 2 – 2 thriller at Kingsteignton Athletic who drop to eighth place but can beat any team on their day. On target for the Rams were Tom Reeves and Finlay Wood; Alfie Cole scored both goals for the visitors. Lakeside Athletic got back to winning ways, and a 4-nil home win versus a new look Buckfastleigh Rangers side keeps them well-placed albeit having played more games. Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds had a game on their hands and had to settle for what was a good point for them and Paignton Saints in an entertaining 1 – 1 scoreline at the Rec. The result of the day in the top division goes to Chudleigh Athletic who may remain at the wrong end of the table but a 5 – 2 home win versus a good East Allington United team, with goals from Gavin Lake, Riley Snell, Kia Stocker and Gavin Hammon, keeps them off the bottom on goal difference; but here is one for the statos out there: Chudleigh are joint bottom, having dropped nine points, but Lakeside are fourth from top having dropped 11 points!!!

At the top of Division One, Brixham Town have moved five points clear following a 6 – 4 win at Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds. Incredibly, it was one each at half time, but eight second half goals turned a drab affair into an entertaining second 45 minutes, and in the only other game played in this division, Barton Athletic overcame Watcombe Wanderers by five goals to four and both stay in mid table in this very close competition. Full report and photos available on Daves World proboards.

Babbacombe Corries remain on top of Division Two; a comprehensive 12 – 2 win over Upton Athletic keeps them a point ahead of the three chasing Plymouth based teams. Signal Box had a good win at Paignton Saints Seconds; a 4 – 1 scoreline, with goals from Jordan Rickards, Jake Cribb and Callum Austin, ensured the points were heading down the A38. Ivybridge Town Reserves came out on top in the derby game against Drake F.C. The final score was 1-nil and keeps the Ivies three points ahead of their rivals. Paignton Villa Seconds moved into the top half of the table with a 5 – 3 victory over winless Newton Rovers at Bakers Park. This division has three teams at the bottom who could each do with a win, and the week after next, Upton Athletic play Newton Rovers which will give that opportunity to both teams.

In Division Three, it was all about the bottom half of the table where Ipplepen Athletic Reserves collected their first win of the season with a 3 – 1 success at Waldon Athletic Seconds to move them off the bottom on goal difference, and South Brent won the A38 derby game by two goals to nil at Buckfastleigh Rangers in a scrappy affair to move into sixth place and six points off the team behind them. Finally, Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves stay in contention with a comfortable 7 – 1 win against Totnes and Dartington Seconds at Osborne Park.

Division Four had a full program, and at the top, Chudleigh Athletic Seconds remain three points clear as a result of a 5 – 2 win at Kate Brook over Barton Athletic Seconds to keep their good form going. In the second v third game, Teign Village‘s momentum was reeled in by Brixham Town Seconds in a great game at JC Park. The Fishermen won 3 – 1 and move within two points of the Teign Valley side, and they have a game in hand. Just a mention for all the volunteers and players at Brixham Town who have stuck with the club through a few tough seasons and now seem to be enjoying their football again. A massive well done to you all. Bere Alston United had to settle for a point in their visit to the White Rock stadium where they faced a Paignton Villa Third team that held them to a 2 – 2 scoreline and, according to some accounts, had some good chances to win the game. Bere Alston remain in fourth place eight points off the lead, and Villa are fourth from bottom with games against the three teams below them in the month of November. Kingsbridge and Kellaton United also continue to pick up points. This week, they settled for a 1 – 1 draw versus Newton Rovers Seconds who remain at the bottom but will be pleased to put a point on the board. As for Kellaton, they remain in mid-table and are also enjoying their Saturday afternoons having stuck together through some tough seasons. Well done to Tina and Andy.

Games to catch on Saturday 8^th November.

Cup fever comes to the SDFL with some cracking ties that kick off at 2pm. Potential banana skins: Kingskerswell (Div 3) v Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds (Prem). Totnes and Dartington (Prem) v Elburton Villa Reserves (Div 1). Mount Gould (Div 1) v Lakeside Athletic (Prem). Waldon Athletic Seconds (Div 3) v Teign Village (Div 4).

Local Derbies: East Allington United (Prem) v Beesands Rovers (Div 1).

Brixham Town face Barton Athletic and WBB host Watcombe Wanderers, all from Division One. Babbacombe Corries face Drake F.C. in an all Division Two tie.

In the league games taking place, Liverton United play Bovey Tracey Reserves at 2.30, and worth a watch will be Signal Box at home to East Allington United Seconds. In Division Three, Galmpton United will be looking to put one over Liverton United Seconds who have already beaten the Greens this season, and finally, in Division Four, Brixham Town Seconds face the journey to Bere Alston, where they will have a tough challenge not to come home empty-handed.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 25th OCT, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Waldon Athletic at last season’s Herald Cup final contributed by SDFL

Herald cup 1st round draw gives three local derbies.

The first round of this seasons SDFL flagship knockout competition has produced some fascinating ties to look forward too. The draw, with a date to be confirmed, is:

Babbacombe Corinthians v Drake F.C.

Bovey Tracey Reserves v Liverton United

Brixham Town v Barton Athletic

East Allington United v Beesands Rovers

Kingskerswell v Newton Abbot Spurs Second

Mount Gould v Lakeside Athletic

Newton Rovers v Templer Way

Totnes and Dartington v Elburton Villa Reserves

Waldon Athletic Second v Teign Village

WBB v Watcombe Wanderers

All other teams have a bye into Round Two

At the time of writing there appears to be an issue with full time therefor league positions are unavailable to report.

This week in the SDFL Premier Division, Ilsington Villa suffered a shock 3 – 2 home defeat against East Allington United at Lewthorne Cross. Rob Tapper and Ben Taylor scored the goals for the Pirates; the result not only puts a dent in Villa’s ambitions, it moves the Pirates into a credible position to be considered challengers; it also opened the door for True Blues to set the pace, but in their derby game at Lakeside Athletic, neither could seize the moment and both settled for a point in a six goal thriller that was a credit to the standard of football being played in this division.

Paignton Saints picked up another three points and are growing in confidence. A comfortable four-nil win versus Buckfastleigh Rangers keeps Saints moving in the right direction and Rangers needing a win to move them away from the wrong end of the table. Newton Abbot ’66 slipped up with a 3 – 2 loss at Kingsteignton Athletic; goals from Sam Morgan, Ryan Toglaviari and Mathew Elmore secured three valuable points for the Rams in a close contest. Chudleigh Athletic lost again by the odd goal in three; this time it was Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds that took the points and seem to have found some form in recent weeks.

If the Premier Division is hotting up, then Division One is on fire; Brixham Town continue to win big games, and this week’s 5 – 1 victory versus Buckland Athletic Reserves was more valuable to the Fishermen than just the three points as one of their closest rivals Mount Gould had lost at home to Paignton Villa by 2 goals to 1 in another pulsating game that gets Villa looking upwards again. Bovey Tracey Reserves are also pressing in the top five following a 4 – 2 win against Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds thanks to goals from Ben Moyle, Owen Caldwell and Oliver Bourne. Beesands Rovers got back to winning ways at home to a Barton Athletic side that had a man sent off in a 3 – 2 defeat; the result sets up the Bees for their Friday night out in Newton Abbot.

In Division Two, most of the games went with the form guide; Babbacombe Corries had a good 3-nil win over top of the table Drake F.C. at Long Lane and Signal Box kept up the pressure on the top two with a comfortable afternoon against Harbertonford with six different players getting on the scoresheet. Ashburton won again, but this time they had to settle for a 1-nil win at Paignton Villa Seconds; the result keeps the Ashes just behind the leading three.

In Division Three, Kingskerswell continue to forge ahead and look unstoppable; a 5 – 2 win over promotion hopefuls Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Reserves, helped by a Kyle Doughty hat-trick, keeps them unbeaten at the top. Galmpton United got back to winning ways following a couple of indifferent results; a 4-nil win at Ipplepen Athletic, with goals from Harley Hooper, Jack Rowell and Jack Trimble, keeps the Greens in a good place.

The top two teams in Division Four both scored six goals in their respective victories; Teign Village won 6 – 1 against Broadhempston United and Chudleigh Athletic Seconds won 6 – 2 against Paignton Saints Thirds to set the pace in the division; Bere Alston United remain in close contact with the leaders thanks to a 3-nil win at Newton Rovers Seconds.

Friday night football returns to the SDFL this week as Paignton Villa host Beesands Rovers in a Division One fixture at Coach Road that has a 7.30pm kick off. The fixture is a reward for the positive behaviour that both clubs promote throughout the season and has been offered by DCFA as a full Coach Road experience for them to enjoy. Both teams have high hopes of challenging for promotion, and so far, both have topped the table since the season started, so if you are in need of a football fix this Friday, get along to Coach Road and support two great teams in search of three points.

Games to catch on Saturday 1st November.

My game to catch in the Premier Division is at Newton Rec where Newton Spurs Seconds play Paignton Saints. Just three seasons ago, this would have been a game in the pyramid, and both teams have had a mixed start to their second season in the top division, and no doubt both will be looking at this game as an opportunity to gain three points. In Division One, there is a local derby at Bovey Tracey Reserves when Liverton United make the short trip in search of some much needed points; Division Two also offers a local derby at Millbay park where Drake F.C. will play Signal Box in what will be a well-supported fixture, and Harbertonford travel to Watcombe Wanderers for what could be a tough afternoon for both teams.

Kick off is 2.30 Enjoy your grassroots football.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 13th SEP, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot ’66 contributed by SDFL

The Premier Division finally kicked off, a week late due to those County Cup games that were brought forward, but most were worth the wait.

In what was tipped as the game of the day turned out to be result of the day, as Newton Abbot ’66 sent Lakeside Athletic back to Plymouth empty-handed in what was only their second league defeat in three seasons. This was a great game of football, and the visitors were for long periods of the game the better of the two teams, but they could not finish in front of goal and ’66 did what they do best: they soaked up the pressure, played a lot of long balls and scored two goals against the run of play. Lakeside got themselves frustrated and it clearly affected their performance; Callum Foskett and Callum Crotty scored the goals for Sixes to give them a 2-1 home win to kick off their league season. And a special mention for man of the match Marc Graham who not only organised the Sixes defence when they were under pressure, he lifted the whole team to up their game. Not bad for a player north of fifty.

But it is Kingsteignton Athletic who sit at the top after game one following a belting 6-nil win over Waldon Athletic; Tom Reeves, Sam Morgan, Archie Law and Dan Rankin got singles and Mathew Elmore scored a brace to set the Rams on their way to a better start than last season. Plymouth True Blues have had a positive start to a first season in the Premier Division; they had to work hard to come away from Totnes & Dartington with a 4-2 win, and perhaps Russell Martin north of the border could do with some attacking ideas from his Plymouth worshipers. It was business as usual for Ilsington Villa with a very tight 2-1 win versus a Paignton Saints team who look like they could have a better season than last. Jack Langford and new signing Callum Noyce were on target for the Moorlanders.

In Division One, Beesands Rovers still lead the pack but were held to a 2-2 draw by Elburton Villa Reserves at Haye Road who were playing their first game of the new season. Alex Smith and Alfie Prowse were on target for the Bees who have had a positive start to the new term. Brixham Town got their season up and running at the second time of asking. A 5-1 win against Newton Spurs Thirds is a good result in anybody’s book. Tom Kelly, Macauley Dallow, Mark Griffiths and Lewis Booth were on target for the Fishermen. One of the pre-season favorites for promotion are Bovey Tracey Reserves, and an opening 4-1 win versus Watcombe Wanderers has got John Fleet’s side up and running for what could be a good season. Buckland Athletic Reserves also had a win on their opening day. A surprise 2-1 result against an experienced Liverton United team that already have 3 points on the board was a good result for a team that were struggling in the pre-season. WBB had to work hard for their 1-nil win at Paignton Villa, but it gets points on the board for the Claymen in what looks like it will be a tight division, with only three teams pointless after two weekends and Mount Gould have still to play.

In Division Two, Ashburton had a reminder that the higher you go the tougher it gets. They let a lead slip to lose at the hands of visiting Pirates, in the form of East Allington United Seconds, by 4 goals to 3, but it’s Drake FC and Ivybridge Town Reserves who lead the pack in the early weeks. Drake scored 7 goals against Harbertonford, courtesy of a Luis George hat-trick and aided by strikes from Alfie White, Scott Richards and James Chapman, whilst Ivybridge Town chalked up their second win of the season at the hands of Paignton Saints Seconds, by 2 goals to 1. New boys Signal Box had a shock defeat last week but put that well behind them, scoring 8 goals without reply against Newton Rovers: Jake Cribb and Joe Haslem both hit hat-tricks with Ben Wildman and Connor Brandon scoring one each. The final game in this division had a late twist before it kicked off. Both Paignton Villa Reserves and Upton Athletic arrived at Churston Grammar School only to find the pitch had not been marked out. Now, they could have all spent the afternoon in the Weary Ploughman enjoying some autumnal sunshine, but Jasmine Norton was having none of it. A couple of phone calls and off they all drove to Stoke Gabriel TP to get the game played on their second pitch, and after all that, Upton wished that they had stayed in the Ploughman as they lost 11-nil with Alex Narvidge netting four and Ashley Beetschen hitting a hat-trick. Now that’s grassroots football, and well done to both clubs for making it all happen.

Division Three is going to be a good competition and is already shaping up with seven teams having points on the board; the other five need to find a result before the distance opens up.

Templer Way are the big surprise team: after such a good season last term, they have lost their opening two fixtures, this time to Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds, by 3 goals to 2, thanks to strikes from Ashley Heyworth, Finley Lumgair and Jack Lee. Liverton United Reserves are the early pace setters, and a 4-1 home win versus Totnes and Dartington Seconds, with goals from Oliver West, Kye Graham and Simon Ross, overshadowed the fact that they played the last 20 minutes with 10 players. Kingskerswell remain neck and neck at the top following a 6-nil win at Ipplepen Athletic Reserves, and since they reformed, they have now won 23 games on the bounce. Also keeping an early pace are Galmpton United and Waldon Athletic Seconds. Galmpton enjoyed their first taste of victory with a 2-1 win over Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds, and Waldon Athletic put three points on the board with a fine 3-1 victory at South Brent thanks to Bailey Clarke, Josh Garside and Luke Lewis all finding the net.

Division Four is also shaping up to be a tight division with eight of the eleven teams having points on the board. Chudleigh Athletic Seconds lead the pack with their second win of the season. A 5-1 win at Bakers Park versus Newton Rovers Reserves is a comprehensive win and no doubt sends a message to the other teams. Waldon Athletic Thirds picked up three points in a hard fought game against a young Bere Alston United Reserves team who were experiencing a trip to Torquay for the first time; Marley Isaac scored the only goal of the game for the Clarets. Kingsbridge and Kellaton United also got their season up and running with a fine 6-3 home win versus Paignton Saints Thirds, and the points sees them slip into the lofty heights of fourth place after two games. The final game to be played in Division Four saw Paignton Villa Thirds and Brixham Town Seconds share the points in a 2-2 draw at White Rock. Tom Bintcliffe scored both Villa goals and both teams have a point on the board.

County Cups

There was more success for our teams playing delayed fixtures. Windmill FC travelled to Ottery St Mary (Step 7) and East Allington United had a day out in Winkleigh (Exeter), and both steered themselves into Round Two.

Games to catch on Saturday 20^th September:

If you are looking for a football fix before Saturday, the first Friday night game of the season kicks off at 7.15 at Newton Rec where Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves take on East Allington United in the opening Premier Division game for both teams.

There are a couple of Premier games that catch the eye. Firstly, a local derby at Millbay Park where Plymouth True Blues welcome The Windmill for a game that will attract a big crowd and no doubt some entertainment, and Totnes and Dartington play Kingsteignton Athletic who will be looking to stay on top of the top division.

In Division One, the standout games look to be at JC Park, where Brixham Town face Paignton Villa in what should be a colourful affair, and Beesands Rovers, who are getting used to winning again, travel to Long Lane to face Watcombe Wanderers.

Division Two also has a couple of stand out games. Ashburton lock horns with Drake FC for a fixture that last season was in Division Three and produced two great games, and Ivybridge Town Reserves have a semi-local derby against East Allington Reserves at Erme Valley.

In Division Three, South Brent are the latest team to try to beat Kingskerswell, and Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves face a Liverton United Reserves team that have started the season well.

Division Four offers one of the longest trips of the season for any SDFL team when Chudleigh Athletic Reserves travel to Bere Alston United Reserves for the first time, with both looking to keep a good start to the season on track, and Barton Athletic Reserves welcome Teign Village to Barton Downs.

All games have a 2.30pm kick off, and all fixtures are available to view on the league’s Full Time website.

Enjoy your autumnal Saturdays with the South Devon Football League!