CLOUD NINE: Kingsteignton celebrate winning their ninth Herald Cup after a late Paget strike ends Windmill’s bid to become first Plymouth side to lift it. © Al Macphee/MiraclePR

A late Aaron Paget strike won Kingsteignton Athletic their ninth Herald Cup, and their first for 20 years, while Buckfastleigh Rangers scored three away at Elburton Villa to clinch the Premier Division title.

The Herald Cup, sponsored by Torbay Clearance Services, pitted together two in-form teams at The Rec last Friday night. Kingsteignton had already secured the Division One title, while Premier Division outfit The Windmill had narrowly missed out on the Premier Division crown following a remarkable run of 12 straight league wins.

Lee France’s side were aiming to become the first Plymouth side to lift the Herald Cup but they made a nervous start to the game. In contrast, Kingsteignton went for the jugular from the start and soon found themselves with a chance to go in front after Tom Reeves was felled in the box. Up stepped Sam Barnes whose seventh minute penalty epitomised the confident start the Rams had made.

The Windmill began to settle into the game as the half wore on, and hauled themselves level with a penalty of their own, seven minutes from half-time. Goalkeeper Jay Osborn guessed the right way, but couldn’t prevent the goal as Windmill captain Mike Neal tucked the ball into the bottom left corner.

The second half was a much more entertaining affair with The Windmill ramping up the pressure and creating the majority of the chances. With eight minutes remaining, their cup hopes took a huge blow following a controversial incident on the touchline. Kingsteignton had played the ball forward only for Brennan Moore to catch the ball. Despite vigorous protests that the ball had gone out of play, the referee gave the free-kick to Kingsteignton and pulled out the yellow card. With Moore having already been booked in the first half, The Windmill found themselves a man down. Nevertheless, they continued to push for a winner, Ryan Walton’s low shot forcing Osborn into a save two minutes later.

With three minutes remaining, Walton attempted to play substitute Ben Woodman through. Kingsteignton intercepted the pass, broke away and put their sub Aaron Paget through on the right side of the box. With goalkeeper Dan Cork charging out towards him, Paget slid in and got his shot away. The ball crept in at the far post, and the Rams erupted in celebration.

As tempers frayed, Windmill lost first Neal, to the sin bin, and then Sam Doyle, to a straight red card, ending the game with eight men. Nevertheless, the team regrouped to sportingly applaud the winners at the end of the game.

Kingsteignton Manager Steve Workman admitted that he had gambled on a formation change at the end, putting three up front. “We were on the ropes round about the sending off and I thought if we couldn’t get hold of it, we were going to get caught at one stage or another. I thought, if we’re going to win it, let’s do it in 90 minutes. And that’s basically what we did.”

“We’ve had an amazing season, winning the league with a game to play,” said Kingsteignton captain Jason Jones. “These boys are a fantastic group of lads who work hard for each other. I couldn’t be prouder.” Kingsteignton will now play Chudleigh Athletic in each of their final three games, once in the league, once in Saturday’s Devon Senior Cup Final, and for a final time in the Dartmouth Cup final on 24th May at the Duckspond, home of Buckfastleigh Rangers.

Buckfastleigh travelled to Haye Road, Elburton on Saturday, knowing that only a win would be good enough for them to take the Torbay Clearance Services Premier Division title away from league leaders Brixham AFC Reserves. Despite early pressure from Elburton Villa Reserves, Ryan Lucassi opened the scoring for Rangers. Scott Allen then hit the bar for Villa, before Sam Lang gave Brixham hope with an equaliser before the break. But further goals from Josh Zimmerman and Luke Brown in the second half finally saw Rangers over the line.

The consolation for both Brixham and The Windmill is that their promotion to the Devon Football League has now been confirmed.

At Coach Road, also on Saturday, Ivybridge Town Development put on an impressive display as they recovered from a nightmare start to cruise to a 7-2 Devon Intermediate Cup victory, ending a seven year SDFL county cup drought.

A Sam Haggar header and an own goal saw Exeter side St Thomas Social Club two up after seven minutes. But the unfazed young Ivybridge outfit pulled one back on 29 minutes when Matt Goodwin beat the offside trap to slot home. Kai Foster scored a superb equaliser three minutes before the break, and Ivybridge took full control of the second half, Harley Battle, Craig Brenton (2), Ben Endean and Jamie Rose wrapping up a well-deserved win.

Earlier in the week, Bovey Tracey Reserves also enjoyed an emphatic cup win, beating Brixham Town Reserves 5-0 at Ipplepen’s Moor Road to lift the Les Bishop Cup. Captain Alistair Chuchuk broke the deadlock in the first half, rifling the ball into the bottom left, but both sides hit the woodwork before the break. The Moorlanders doubled their lead a minute after the restart, Ben Moyle doing well to find the net from just outside the box despite being off balance. Liam Halliday had a chance to narrow the deficit just after the hour mark, but his penalty was high and wide. Soon after, Jamie Farrer got in behind for Bovey and guided a superb lob over the onrushing Town goalkeeper. Ali Chuchuk wrapped up the win with a fourth on 76 minutes, and Brixham were denied even a consolation when a last minute effort was tipped over the bar by the Bovey goalkeeper. The fifth came in stoppage time, Brad Rooney’s out-swinging cross-cum-shot finding its way into the roof of the net.

The final divisional title will be decided at Abbrook Park on Friday evening, with Watts Blake Bearne Reserves hosting Brixham Town in a ‘winner takes all’ clash. Two goals apiece from Nathan Williams and James Moxon earned WBB the three points they needed at home to Totnes and Dartington on Monday night. Victory on Friday will win them the Division Three title. Any other result will see Brixham Town celebrate a league and cup double.

IVY LEAGUE: A talented young Ivybridge Development side lift the Fred Hewings Cup after a 5-1 win over Paignton Villa Reserves. © Derek Castree

The winners of the Herald Cup and Premier Division, both sponsored by Torbay Clearance Services, will be decided this weekend, with Kingsteignton Athletic taking on The Windmill in Friday evening’s cup final at The Rec (7pm KO), and Buckfastleigh Rangers looking to pip Brixham AFC Reserves to the league title on Saturday with a win at Elburton Villa Reserves.

The Windmill’s outside chance of holding on to top spot evaporated early last Saturday when it became clear that Salcombe Town were not going to be able to fulfil their fixture at Buckfastleigh. But it was Brixham who would end the afternoon in pole position following their 2-0 win at Ivybridge Town Reserves.

Lewis Perring scored twice for Watts Blake Bearne who defeated Newton Abbot ’66 3-1. Benjamin Berrow also scored for WBB with Lee Grimshaw responding for the Sixes who will finish seventh.

Ivybridge Town Development put on a top class performance at Totnes and Dartington F.C. last Friday night to beat Paignton Villa Reserves 5-1 and lift the Fred Hewings Cup, sponsored by Combined Roofing Contractors.

The Ivies drew first blood following a corner. Despite a valiant effort from Villa goalkeeper Adam Taylor to get the ball away, Gary Dickson found the net with a header. Taylor also got his hands to Ivybridge’s second goal after Matt Goodwin raced clear of the defence on the right and got a shot away. But Goodwin’s effort was too powerful and found the bottom left. Max Parnowski pulled off a superb save from Jay Horn at the other end, but the gap widened shortly afterwards when Lewis Dickson ran through the centre of the defence to latch on to a great pass before slotting coolly past Taylor.

If Villa had any hopes of a second half fight-back, they were cruelly put to bed a minute after the restart as Craig Brenton scored Ivybridge’s fourth. Following a decent spell, Tom Armstrong had the opportunity to pull one back for the Torbay side about five minutes later, but his shot from the edge of the box went just over the bar. As the match wore on, Villa continued to fight for a consolation, but it was Ivybridge who came closest to scoring, Taylor pulling off a fantastic save from a free-kick. With two minutes to go, Paignton Villa did find the back of the net, as Horn’s accurate free-kick beat the wall and nestled into the bottom right before Parnowski could move a muscle. Ivybridge responded immediately with a fifth goal, Brenton the goalscorer again.

“The big plan was for Martin Mitchell to take the lads all the way through from Under-10s at MAPs all the way to Under-16s, so all the credit has to go to Martin and Gary Dickson,” said Assistant Manager Andrew Moon

“To go from Under-16s straight into men’s football is a little bit daunting, but these guys have got into two cup finals this season, and we’ve narrowly lost out in another semi-final. I think we will end up finishing third in the league, so all-in-all a good season, I couldn’t ask for any more.

“I think it was done by half time, but we knew that if they scored, they were going to have a bit of a go. As I was walking off, I could hear their manager already trying to rally the troops.

We said to the boys, we don’t need to press the game. We can let them come on to us a little bit. We caught them a couple of times and put it to bed. But fair play to the guys, because they kept going and got that free-kick near the end.”

Ivybridge will now hope to go one better than Brixham Town last season and win the A&S Devon Intermediate Cup at Coach Road on May 14th. They take on St Thomas Social Club from Exeter, with kick-off at 2.30pm.

“We haven’t just been choosing our best team for these finals,” explained Moon. “We’ve got such a good squad that we’ve been mixing it around, so there are a couple of guys who will come in for the next one. It’s on the 3G, which will help us play football, so I will back us.”

Kingsteington Athletic will go into their Herald Cup final as Division One champions following their emphatic 5-0 victory over Paignton Saints at South Devon Sports Centre on Monday evening. Callum Leech scored twice for the Rams, who were four up by half-time, with Sam Barnes, Nathan Isaac and Jason Jones completing the quintet.

The win came hot on the heels of a 3-1 triumph over Saints in Saturday’s reverse fixture at Broadpark. Barnes again found the net in that game and was joined on the score-sheet by Ashley Dove and Ryan Tovagliari. Jake Powell responded for the visitors.

Having successfully appealed against a replay ruling, Ilsington Villa collected three points from their abandoned game against Torquay Town in February. This meant that Villa went into Saturday’s game at East Allington United with the title all but mathematically theirs. Dan Langford, who will finish the season as the league’s top goalscorer, added two more goals to finish just shy of a half century as Villa won 2-1, Fin Bullen responding for the Pirates. Torquay Town were held 3-3 at Barton Athletic Reserves, Simon Ross scoring twice and Simon Bracey also on target.

Division Three leaders Brixham Town won their last home game of the season 4-1 against Chudleigh Athletic Thirds. Paul Christie scored a brace, Stuart Pointon converted a penalty and Daniel Trezise found the net for Town, with Alfie Luscombe on target for Chudleigh. Brixham now prepare for a probable title decider away at Watts Blake Bearne Reserves on 20th May. WBB romped to a 7-1 triumph at Teign Village with James Moxon and Jakeb Heywood-Cann both scoring doubles. Ben Drinkwater, Matt Elmore and Nathan Williams also netted for the Claymen, while Mike Turner found a consolation for the Quarrymen.

Kai Burrel was the afternoon’s top scorer with half of Ivybridge Development’s eight goals against Discoveries Devon, as the Ivies target that third place finish in Division Four. Craig Brenton added a second brace in as many days, and there were additional goals from Callum Collings and Kai Foster.

Bovey Tracey Reserves and Brixham Town Reserves contest the Les Bishop Cup on Wednesday night at Moor Road, Ipplepen (6.45pm KO).

PROUD PIRATES: East Allington United enjoy the post-match buzz after winning the George Belli Cup. © Jessica Morgan Photography

A pearl of a goal from Fin Bullen proved enough to clinch East Allington United the George Belli Cup in Friday night’s competitive clash with Newton Abbot ’66 at Longcross, Dartmouth.

Good vision from Josef Sita set up the chance for Bullen who found space on the left before curling a shot into the top corner. That goal gave the Pirates the half time advantage, but they were rocked about an hour in when Justin Denning was shown a red card for a high challenge. Newton ’66 piled on the pressure, and fashioned some good chances, but Josh Pascoe almost made it 2-0 when his low drive was parried away. The Sixes won several corners and hit the crossbar in the dying stages, but East Allington stood firm to claim the prize.

“We’ve got a rich history in the cups,” said manager Luke Harvey. “For some reason, we always seem to find a way. Credit to the lads, because they’ve got a great spirit. Even when we went down to ten men, they didn’t stop fighting.

“It was a good, physical encounter. Both teams knew what was at stake. It was 90 minutes of hard work, and both sides were hungry for it. I thought Newton ’66 were organised, physical and strong, and they put us off our game for a little bit, but we managed to navigate our way through.”

Goalscorer Bullen was awarded the man of the match tankard by cup sponsor Manor Building Company, and Harvey agreed with the decision.

“His goal tally speaks for itself, and it has done for a couple of years now,” he said. “He’s a talisman for us. He’s still a young lad and is hungry for goals. He’s an absolute asset to the team and a great lad too. He deserves the man of the match award tonight.”

The Windmill kept their slim title hopes alive with a convincing 6-0 victory over Plymouth rivals Elburton Villa Reserves on Saturday, ending their opponents’ chances. Rhys Walton netted twice at Bull Point with Carlton Allen, Tommy Phillips, Andy Parker and Brennan Moore completing the scoring.

The Windmill end their league campaign with Tuesday evening’s must-win tie at Ivybridge Town Reserves. A victory at Erme Park would see Lee France’s men go into the weekend at the top of the Premier Division, hoping Saturday’s results go their way.

Brixham AFC Reserves will reclaim top spot with a win in their final game, also at Ivybridge, but Buckfastleigh Rangers, who are at home to Salcombe Town, still have the title in their hands. They will play their final game a week later, at Elburton.

Meadowbrook Athletic finished a tough season with a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Watts Blake Bearne.

Kingsteignton Athletic are back on course for a quadruple trophy haul after they comfortably won their Dartmouth Cup semi-final replay 4-0 at Broadpark. Aaron Paget scored twice for the Rams, with Sam Barnes and Louis Dickinson also on target. Paignton Villa will hope for a better outcome on Friday night, when their reserves take on Ivybridge Town Development in the Fred Hewings Cup Final at Totnes and Dartington FC.

Kingsteignton were also in action on Wednesday night. Victory over Waldon Athletic would have ended the Clarets’ title hopes and set up an enticing title showdown with leaders Paignton Saints Reserves. The teams will play each other twice over three days.

Barton Athletic Reserves will be in a cup final after all. Their replayed Lidstone Cup semi-final ended with a 2-0 victory over East Allington United Reserves.

A win at Ipplepen Athletic Reserves on Tuesday night would have seen Ilsington Villa go back to the top of Division Two. Villa won 3-1 at Dartmouth AFC Reserves on Saturday, with George Harris, Matthew Warman and Stephen Hobbs on target. Braces from Jamie Chamberlain and Simon Ross helped keep Torquay Town in pole position, Ollie Corderoy also scoring as Town beat Paignton Villa Reserves 5-0 at Barton Cricket Club.

Division Four champions Waldon Athletic Reserves lost out for only the second time this season with a 6-4 reverse at Brixham Town Reserves. Liam Halliday and Alex McKerrell scored two apiece, with Stephen Rohan also doubling up, for ten-man Waldon.

CLARETS CLINCH IT: Waldon Athletic Reserves become the first divisional title winners after a narrow win over Bovey Tracey Reserves in Division Four. © Al Macphee/MiraclePR

There are still four teams battling for the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL title following a ‘super Saturday’ of big games.

League leaders Buckfastleigh Rangers faced a daunting trip to Bull Point to face in-form The Windmill who knew they needed a win to keep their faint title hopes alive. The Plymouth side earned the points they needed with Rhys Walton scoring twice in a 5-1 win. Ben Woodman, Michael Neal and Ashley Walker also found the back of the net for the Herald Cup finalists, with Steve Sutton getting Rangers’ goal.

Brixham AFC Reserves also had a tough fixture, travelling to East Allington United who had trounced therm 5-1 the previous week. But the Fishermen overcame the Pirates this time around, winning 4-3 to return to the top of the division. East Allington are next in action at Dartmouth AFC on Friday night, where they take on Newton Abbot ’66 in the final of the George Belli Cup (7pm KO).

Elburton Villa Reserves knew that anything but a win at home to Salcombe Town wouldn’t realistically be enough. They won 3-1 with goals from Lewis Guest, Corbin Mackin and Cody Jones, Ben Tapper on target for Salcombe. Villa’s next game is a mouth-watering crunch tie at fellow Plymouth side The Windmill on Saturday – a game neither team can afford to lose.

Ivybridge Town Reserves recorded another impressive home win, beating Watts Blake Bearne 2-1 at Erme Valley, Sam Stevens and Bailey Tingley with their goals.

Paignton Saints Reserves hauled themselves back to the top of Division One with a narrow 2-1 home victory over title rivals Chudleigh Athletic Reserves. Connor Stewart and Sam Winstanley were on target for Saints, wiith Joe Potter responding for Chudleigh.

In the division’s only other game, Harbertonford celebrated their first league win since October with a 6-1 thrashing of bottom side Kingskerswell and Chelston. Sam Passmore had his shooting boots on, scoring four of the Fords’ goals, David Hatch and Jordan Baggott also netting. Frank Major put away ‘Kerswell’s consolation goal.

Ilsington Villa have one hand on the Division Two trophy after winning 3-0 at title rivals Torquay Town. Jack Dixon, Matthew Warman and George Harris struck to condemn Town to their first league loss of the season.

Babbacombe Corinthians won their final home game of the season 7-2 against Barton Athletic Reserves, with Lee McArthur and Ben Nickells both putting away braces. Curtis Marshall, Joshua Easterbrook and Connor Charlesworth also scored for the hosts.

Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds beat SGT Police Reserves 4-2 in a Thursday night game at The Rec, while goals from Jamie McGuinness and Steeve Yava secured Watcombe Wanderers Reserves a 2-0 win at East Allington United Reserves in their final away game.

Brixham Town are still unbeaten at the top of Division Three after a comfortable 5-0 win over Broadhempston United, who end their season with just a point to their name. Harry Chastney doubled up for Town, Stuart Pointon scored from the spot, and Shane Pike and Jack Thomson also celebrated goals. Kingsbridge and Kellaton United battled out a 1-1 draw with Teign Village in their penultimate game, while Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves picked up an easy three points with Liverton United Reserves unable to raise a side.

Waldon Athletic Reserves became the first SDFL side to win their division following a 1-0 home win over Bovey Tracey Reserves. Terry Hunter scored the decisive second half goal that took the Clarets over the line.

In-form Paignton Villa Reserves edged a five-goal Fred Hewings Cup semi-final tie at home to Chudleigh Athletic Thirds. Ashley Beetschen, Charlie Thomas and Jack Wilkinson found the net for Villa with Christian Williams and Matthew Rushton scoring for Chudleigh.

Villa will face Ivybridge Town Development in the final after the Division Four outfit dispatched Division Three side Watts Blake Bearne Reserves 6-1 at Erme Valley. Matthew Goodwin scored a hat-trick for the Ivies, with Callum Collings, Craig Brenton and Lewis Dickson joining him on the score-sheet.

The Fred Hewings Cup final will take place on Friday 6th May at Totnes and Dartington FC.

ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT: Brixham Town lift the Ronald Cup with a 3-2 victory over Totnes and Dartington. © Al Macphee/MiraclePR

In an exciting week of South Devon Football League action, Kingsteignton Athletic booked their place in the Herald Cup final, while Brixham Town lifted the Ronald Cup, their second trophy in as many seasons.

Division One title hopefuls Kingsteignton Athletic put in a solid, clinical performance against Division Two standouts Ilsington Villa at The Rec last Wednesday night, winning 3-1. They will play Plymouth-based Premier Division outfit The Windmill in the Torbay Clearance Services Herald Cup Final, which will take place on May 20th, also at The Rec.

The game could have turned out very differently had Dan Langford’s lobbed effort, just four minutes in, hit the target. Instead, the ball crashed agonisingly against the crossbar and was cleared from the goal-line by the Rams defence. After that early scare, Kingsteignton quickly settled and got stronger as the half wore on. Having already threatened from several set pieces, Kingsteignton opened the scoring on 22 minutes when Sam Barnes powered a header from a free-kick past Connor Gibson.

Mark Voisey doubled their lead in the 34th minute. Following some impressive midfield play, Voisey received the ball on the right before smashing it into the far corner of the goal. Just as Kingsteignton looked to be getting on top, goalkeeper Jay Osborn picked up a foot injury following a clearance, leading to a four minute pause in play. Ironically, Villa scored during first half stoppage time, Matt Warman pouncing after the Rams had failed to clear a cross.

Ilsington had the bulk of the chances at the start of the second half, with both Dan and Jack Langford threatening, but Kingsteignton had a huge chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty an hour in. Gibson saved Barnes’ initial spot kick, but the referee ordered a retake, only for Gibson to beat away Barnes’ effort again. With just over 20 minutes remaining, a Kingsteignton player went down on the edge of the box. The referee consulted his linesman but, to Kingsteignton’s frustration, they were only awarded a free-kick. Five minutes later, it was Villa’s turn to complain. Dan Langford unlocked the defence by dribbling into the box and laying off to a teammate. A last ditch challenge by Louis Dickinson brought him down, but the referee denied Villa a penalty. Voisey then sealed the win in the 81st minute with another clinical finish.

The action switched to Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police F.C. the next evening, with Brixham Town taking on Totnes and Dartington for the Bettesworths Estate & Business Agents Ronald Cup, the first of the league’s divisional cup finals.

Tots were looking to make amends for last season’s final loss against Brixham, and they soon found themselves in front, capitalising on a nervous start by the Brixham defence. Goalkeeper Cam Atkinson had already gifted Totnes a chance in the opening minute, forced into making a goal-saving tackle after missing a clearance. Two minutes later, he could only watch helplessly as a defensive blunder and unlucky deflection sent the ball goal-wards, Jake Osman bursting through to hasten its journey towards the back of the net.

Two goals in as many minutes turned the first half tide. On 31 minutes, James Spriggs’ save fell at the feet of Ben Ford who made no mistake with his shot. Immediately after the restart, Stuart Pointon’s deflected shot put Town in front. It looked as if Brixham would go into the second half with their noses in front, but Sam Ingham had other ideas. Four minutes into first half stoppage time, he fired a superb shot into the far corner of the net to level the scores.

Tots almost took the lead on 65 minutes, following another defensive mishap, but a determined Brixham Town defender drew cheers from the crowd with an impressive last ditch challenge to avert an almost certain goal. At the other end, there then followed a classic case of players not playing to the whistle. As both sets of players looked to the referee to make a decision on an incident, a Brixham player lobbed an effort towards goal. The ball hit the bar, but had it gone in, the goal would probably have stood.

Jordan Baxter and Jake Osman then had good chances to put Tots ahead, but it was Brixham who found a winning goal, Pointon receiving the ball on the edge of the box and hitting the target.

On Saturday, Brixham AFC Reserves passed up a golden opportunity to reclaim top spot in the Torbay Clearance Services Premier Division when they lost out 5-1 at home to East Allington United. Two goals apiece from Josh Pascoe and Aidan Corcoran, and a single from Matt Bodman earned the Pirates the points. Luke Manuell with a consolation for the Fishermen.

Leaders Buckfastleigh Rangers are now within touching distance of the title, but with trips to both The Windmill and Elburton Villa Reserves to come, there could be more twists before the end of the season. Villa, who play Salcombe this weekend, celebrated a vital win over Watts Blake Bearne, Scott Allen with both goals. The Windmill are also still in with a slim chance of the title following their home walkover against Meadowbrook Athletic. They will have to beat Buckfastleigh on Saturday to keep that dream alive. Brixham travel to East Allington United in their penultimate game.

Away from the title fight, Harrison Hardy scored twice as Ivybridge Town Reserves beat Salcombe Town 3-1 at Erme Valley. Alex Henniker also found the net for the Ivies, with Dominic Nott on target for the Crabs.

The Division One title race also opened up a little with Paignton Saints Reserves losing their unbeaten record at home to Upton Athletic. A Charlie Rowe brace, and a strike from Sam O’Mara helped Upton to a 3-1 win, moving them off the bottom and into positive points for the first time this season. Aaron Knapman scored for Saints.

As Saints stumble, Kingsteignton appear to be galloping into the final straight. The Rams scored eight without reply at Kingskerswell and Chelston, Ollie Kewell with five goals and Nathan Isaac, Jason Jones and Lewis Plackett also on target.

For now, Waldon Athletic and Chudleigh Athletic Reserves still occupy the top two spots. The Clarets didn’t play, but Chudleigh won 5-2 at Beesands Rovers. Gavin Hammon scored twice for the visitors, and he was joined on the score-sheet by Jordan Armstrong, Matthew Briant and Matthew Williams; Jack Eades and Thomas Harvey netted for the Bees. Liam Yeates and Harry Atkinson scored for their respective sides as Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves drew 1-1 with Paignton Villa.

A Pete Summerfield hat-trick helped unbeaten Division Two leaders Torquay Town to a sixth league win on the bounce, Town beating Barton Athletic Reserves 6-0. Simon Ross doubled up and Jamie Chamberlain also netted. Ilsington Villa bounced back from their cup heartache with a 2-1 win at Babbacombe Corinthians, Matt Warman and George Harris on target.

Elsewhere, a Sam Pyne hat-trick and Oliver Riches brace saw Watcombe Wanderers secure a 5-1 win at Ipplepen Athletic Reserves; Newton Rovers lost 2-0 at home to SGT Police Reserves and bottom club Paignton Villa Reserves warmed up for their Fred Hewings Cup semi-final against Chudleigh Athletic Thirds with a 3-2 victory at Dartmouth AFC Reserves, their second away win on the spin. Jack Wilkinson scored twice for Villa, with Joshua Barker their other goal-scorer. Oumar Rujbally and Richard Yeo responded for Darts.

In Division Three, Christian Williams scored both of Chudleigh Thirds’ goals in their 2-0 home win over Paignton Saints Thirds. Watts Blake Bearne Reserves, who face Ivybridge Town Development in the Fred Hewings semi-final, just about kept their title momentum going with a 4-3 home win over Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves. Teign Village picked up three points due to hosts Bishopsteignton United being unable to raise a side.

BATTLING PERFORMANCE: Division Two SDT Police Reserves put up a good fight, but it’s the Premier side who go through. © Paul Mirfin

The Windmill FC are aiming to become the first Plymouth team ever to lift the prestigious Torbay Clearance Services Herald Cup, after Lee France’s men saw off a brave challenge from Division Two side Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Reserves in last Wednesday’s semi-final at The Rec.

Both teams started well, but it was The Windmill who took the lead through centre-half Mike Cornew. Ash Walker played a great ball through to Andrew Crowmac, who squared it to Cornew who fired home to make it 1-0 just before half-time.

After their half-time team talk, the Windmill emerged determined to extend their lead.

“They probably played the best football they’ve played all season,” said France. “We played them off the park, and showed them we were the Premier side.”

First, Andrew Crowmac slotted through captain Mike Neal who scored from about ten yards, across the ‘keeper and into the corner. Pressing Stoke straight from the restart, the Windmill got the ball back quickly and put together a string of fast passes. Crowmac switched the ball from right to left for Carlton Allen to chest down the ball for Ash Walker to score a half volley.

“It was a really good goal actually,” said France. ” I wish everyone had been there to see it, because it was probably one of the best footballing goals of the season.”

SGT Police then got on top as the game reached its final stages. “We tried defending for the last 15 minutes where they came into the game and finally got their goal, which was deserved,” said France. “It was a good finish. He was one-on-one, smashed it across the ‘keeper, and it hit both posts and went in.”

The Windmill will play either Kingsteignton Athletic or Ilsington Villa in the final, with those sides facing off this Wednesday night, again at the Rec (7pm KO).

Should the Rams make it through, there will be added interest for one member of France’s family.

“My uncle, Dave Gaylard, played for Kingsteignton when they won it,” he explained. “He will be at the cup final, especially if it’s his old team, because he will see some familiar faces. He was telling me the other night that he’s got a winners’ medal, so he will show it to me if we don’t win one.

“My grandad, Mike Gaylard, used to run Woodlands, a really good Plymouth side back in the day. He won the treble – the Devon Cup, the Plymouth league and our league cup – in 1972. When I repeated the treble in 2018, my grandad wasn’t very happy about that. I’m just trying to break records in the family at the moment.”

Although the Herald Cup, which is approaching its centenary year, isn’t quite as well-known in Plymouth as it is in South Devon, France can relate to its importance.

“The P&D have the Premier Cup, which is exactly the same thing. It’s open to all the divisions,” he said. “Windmill has got to two finals but has never won the Premier, so it is a big deal for us to be in the Herald Cup final. We want our name on that trophy to put down a statement that we’re here to win trophies. We’re not here to mess around. We were gutted when we lost to Newton ‘66 in the Premier Division cup.

“We were unlucky not to win the Throgmorton Champions Cup at the start of the season, where we represented South Devon. We wanted to win it for both ourselves and South Devon, but we lost to Lapford, a Plymouth side, in the final.

“I had COVID, so I was sat at home screaming at the TV. Obviously we weren’t good enough, because we had so many boys out injured and through COVID. We lost 1-0, unfortunately, to a set piece.

Despite being ten points off the top, with four games remaining, France hasn’t yet given up hope of a top two finish in the league either, a result that could see them promoted to the Devon Football League.

“We’ve just signed a contract with Argyle to use their facilities, so we can meet the standard of that level,” revealed France. “Mount Gould v Windmill is probably the biggest rivalry in local Plymouth football, and the boys want the challenge of going there next season and maybe popping the league off them. But we’ve got to go up there with a good side first, and we’ve got to get in.

“I think the rule was that we had to finish in the top two of the SDFL, so we’ve got some work to do really. But we know that if Buckfastleigh drop points, and we beat them next week, then we’re right in it. Obviously, it’s in Buckfastleigh’s hands, but they have tough fixtures. We’re not pulling out of the league yet, not quite. Not while we can mathematically still win it. We know we’re in five cup finals, starting with Salcombe.”

France’s men duly won their home game with Salcombe 5-0, Crowmac with a brace and

Joe Ackerlay, Rhys Walton and Andy Parker all on target. But the other Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division game saw Buckfastleigh edge closer to the title by beating Watts Blake Bearne 5-2 at the Duckspond. Joshua Zimmerman doubled up for Rangers, with Luke Brown, Tom Moody and Charlie Morgan completing the scoring; Kieran Heale and Sam Stowell hit back for WBB.

Elsewhere, East Allington United and Newton Abbot ’66 made it through to the George Belli Cup final. Ben Bowhay struck twice for the Pirates as they beat Elburton Villa Reserves 4-2 at Poole Lane. Fin Bullen and Rob Tapper also found the net for the hosts, with Billy Tedder-Hart and Scott Allen on target for Elburton. Keran Fletcher and Jordan Pidwell scored for Newton ’66 as they narrowly ousted Ivybridge Town Reserves 2-1 at Erme Valley.

The first of the divisional cup finals will take place this Thursday evening, at Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police (7pm). The Ronald Cup, sponsored by Bettesworths Estate & Business Agents, is a repeat of last season’s tournament final between Brixham Town and Totnes and Dartington. Brixham made the final after Bishopsteignton United failed to raise a side for Saturday’s semi-final fixture.

In Division One, Paignton Saints Reserves look set for an imminent take over at the top following a home walkover against Buckfastleigh Rangers. Saints are now just a point behind Waldon Athletic who lost out 4-1 at home to Kingsteignton Athletic, who are also well-placed for a late title challenge. Ashley Dove scored twice for the Rams, Mark Voisey put away his 15th goal of the season, and Sam Barnes also notched. Lewis Eaton found a consolation for the Clarets.

Chudleigh Athletic are in third place after their sixth league win in a row, Matthew Briant’s goal enough to clinch the points at home to Upton Athletic. Goals from Harry Atkinson and Richard Malone saw Paignton Villa celebrate a decent home win over Beesands Rovers, Adam Winkworth scoring for the Bees.

Babbacombe Corinthians secured a top three finish in Division Two as they beat Ipplepen Athletic Reserves 3-2 away. Corries move level on points with Ilsington Villa, but Villa have five games in hand. A seven goal derby thriller went the way of Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds who beat Newton Rovers 4-3 at The Rec.

Jack Wilkinson and Ash Beetschen scored two apiece for bottom team Paignton Villa Reserves who stormed to a 6-0 victory at Barton Athletic Reserves. Jack Harman and Charlie Thomas also scored.

In Division Three, Jonathan Clyne bagged a brace in Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves’ 5-4 home win over Paignton Saints Thirds. Scott Troth also scored twice as Totnes and Dartington moved three points clear of opponents Teign Village with a 4-1 home win. Bradley Spriggs and Connor Rowbotham also scored for Tots, with Mike Turner scoring his 15th of the season for the Quarrymen.

Goals from Matthew Churchill and Christian Fleet secured Bovey Tracey Reserves a place in the Les Bishop Cup final, sponsored by Torre Trophies, on 7th May. The Moorlanders beat Ivybridge Town Development 2-1 away, with Harley Battle netting for the Ivies.

The Division Four title is still Waldon Athletic Reserves’ to lose, after the Clarets rattled in eight without reply at Newton Rovers Reserves. Sean Finch scored twice, with Waldon’s other goals coming from Bailey Clarke, Shane Essam, Lee Henriques, Stephen Rohan, Adam Townsend and Shane Roberts.

Oliver Teague and Gavin Lake traded doubles as Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves drew 2-2 with Watcombe Wanderers Thirds.