YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH LEAGUE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND LEARN HOW TO AVOID THOSE COSTLY FINES

Background

It greatly concerns the League Management Committee how much money clubs waste by having to pay fines for breaches of the rules that could be easily avoided if only club officials would study and adhere to the rules. Even though several hundred pounds are spent having sufficient Rule Books printed for every club secretary and every team manager to have one and that the Rule Book is also available on the League’s website it appears that these are not read by many club officials. To avoid wasting League funds, which are really the member clubs’ funds, we will not be having printed Rule Books this season. The Rule Book will still be on the website. Instead, we will be issuing a Guide for Club officials highlighting the most important rules around arranging and playing matches and the attendant administration which are the areas which lead to most fines.

More importantly we want to meet with all club secretaries, fixtures secretaries and team managers to comprehensively educate you all on the rules so you can avoid fines and keep more of your precious club funds which are likely to have suffered due to the pandemic.

Your club officials are invited to attend one of the Roadshows listed above. We request that your Club secretary emails League Secretary Alastair Muirden, sdflsec@outlook.com, with the number of representatives from your club who will be attending and your choice of venue. (Bars will be open at each venue) Please reply by the booking deadline shown above.

LEARN THE CORRECT PROCEDURES FOR:

• Dealing with “the League”
• Player registration
• Arranging fixtures
• Confirming fixtures to opponents and referees
• Postponements
• Club assistant referees
• Finding a stand-in referee
• Completing teamsheets and substitutes procedure
• Reporting results
• Submitting teamsheets
• Entering details on Full Time
• Referee reports

PLUS:

• Respect
• Problem solving
• Questions and answers

Phil Smith

Chairman TCS SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE

(THINK YOU KNOW IT ALL ALREADY? COME ALONG AND FIND OUT)

ROSY PAST. Roselands celebrate winning the Devon Intermediate Cup back in 2015. Can Brixham Town repeat the feat? ©MiraclePR

Despite the pandemic disruption, TCS South Devon Football League Division Three outfit Brixham Town could end the season with two trophies. They are due to take on Totnes and Dartington Reserves in the final of the Coast and Country Division Three Cup on Thursday evening but first on the agenda is this afternoon’s A&S Paving Devon Intermediate Cup final at Coach Road.

It is the first time an SDFL club has reached a county cup final since 2017 when Roselands lost out to Cronies F.C. in the Devon Senior Cup final. Should Town lift the trophy against Witheridge Reserves today (KO is at 2pm), they will end a six year county cup drought. In 2015, it was Roselands again who represented the league as they defeated Pilton Academicals 6-2 to lift the Intermediate Cup (which was then sponsored by Buddens Westinsure).

A year prior to that, the league had a bumper year of representation at county level with an all-SDFL Devon Premier Cup final between Watcombe Wanderers and Brixham AFC (Watcombe winning 2-0) and Dartmouth AFC lifting the Devon Senior Cup by beating Exwick Villa Reserves 4-2.

Officers from the league will be in attendance at Coach Road this afternoon hoping that Brixham Town can lift the cup and herald another spell of success for SDFL sides in the county cups.

EYE ON THE PRIZE: Ipplepen Athletic have their destiny in their own hands despite losing out 3-2 at home to Torbay Police in the Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup. ©MiraclePR.com

Torbay Police came out on top of a thrilling encounter at Ipplepen Athletic but it looks like it might be a case of too little, too late for the Bees in Group A of the Manor Building Company Premier Division.

Both sides were depleted coming into the fixture but it was Torbay Police who were the happiest at the interval, Kyall Hazlewood, Oakley Hunt and Bobby Chancellor helping them to a 3-1 lead with Lee Grimshaw scoring for Pens. The first half had taken its toll though and the visitors emerged for the second half with a makeshift midfield having lost three players to injury. When Brandon Hext reduced the deficit, it looked as if Ippepen’s young side might be able to take a point but the Police stood firm against a late onslaught and held on for the win.

The Bees are still mathematically in the race but they will require other teams to produce an unlikely combination of results to sneak into the semi-finals.

As for Ipplepen, their destiny is a lot clearer. Two wins in their final two games will see them through. Anything else and they will be out. They were due to travel to Buckfastleigh Rangers on Wednesday.

Buckfastleigh are already out after they were held 1-1 by visiting Meadowbrook Athletic. Substitute Sam Johnston scored for Rangers with Myles Chalcraft on target for unbeaten Brook.

With Abbrook Park succumbing to the heavy rain, the only Group B game, between Watts Blake Bearne and Newton Abbot ’66 was called off, leaving that group no further forward than the previous weekend.

With their 100% record intact, The Windmill FC look likely to qualify from Group C, especially considering their emphatic 6-0 victory over Barton Athletic on Saturday. In-form Rhys Walton opened the scoring for the Plymouth side after just eight minutes with the same player doubling up ten minuites later. Tommy Phillips volleyed in a third, three minutes into the second half, before captain Sam Doyle got his name on the score sheet. Walton completed his hat-trick for five before Phillips put the icing on the cake with a superb late strike.

East Allington United had already become the first Premier Division side into a semi-final after winning 4-2 at Elburton Villa Reserves on the Wednesday evening, Finley Bullen with a hat-trick and Dan Bowles also on target for the Pirates. Villa’s goals came from Harrison Jones and Thomas Swabey. Elburton and Ivybridge Town Reserves wrapped up the group action on Saturday, the Ivies taking an early lead en route to a 2-0 win at Haye Road.

Goals from Ryan Cossey and Jack Rendle had kept Upton Athletic’s qualification hopes alive in Group A of the Francis Clark Division One Cup as the Torquay side beat group leaders Galmpton United 2-1 last Wednesday evening, Samuel Massey scoring for the Greens. A repeat result at the Galmpton War Memorial Ground on Saturday would see them join Galmpton in the final four but the home side had other ideas, Massey and Oliver Groves on target in a 2-0 home win, a result that sees Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves make it through.

Ashburton and Beesands Rovers, who had both already qualified from Group B, faced off at the Loddiswell Playing Fields. The Ashes made it six wins out of six with Joshua Haycox and Nicholas Skinner netting in a 2-1 victory, Louis Brace with the Bees’ goal.

Kingskerswell and Chelston salvaged some pride with an emphatic 5-1 win at Abbotskerswell. Ashley Beetschen, James Horrocks, Frank Major and subs Ash Blackler and Lewis Cooper all celebrated goals.

Two wins in five days saw Ipplepen Athletic Reserves comfortably secure their place in the semi-finals of the Bettesworths Estate Agents Division Two Cup. Pens scored four times at Newton Rovers to win 4-2 and then repeated the feat at Broadhempston United on Saturday, 4-1 the final score at Headlands. Torquay Town ended their group stage with a 4-1 triumph at Newton Rovers but face a nervy wait to see if Rovers or Dittisham United, who have only played half of their games, can pip them to the Group A runners-up spot.

Things are a lot clearer in Group B with Ilsington Villa and Babbacombe Corinthians, who fought out a 1-1 draw on Saturday, comfortably through. Corries completed the double over Bishopsteignton United in midweek with a 6-1 win at Michaels Field, Harry Pavey, Curtis Marshall and Ryan Mellish with doubles apiece.

Damien Sobota scored a brace for Brixham Town as they completed their perfect campaign in Group A of the Coast and Country Division Three Cup with a 7-0 hammering of Kingsteignton Athletic Thirds. Brendan Boddy, Shaun Langdon, George Meredith, Josh Piper and substitute Rhys Dallow also contributed goals. Saturday’s rematch between South Brent and Teign Village should be one to watch after the sides battled out an 8-8 draw last weekend. Thomas Beer and Michael Turner each put away hat-tricks for the Quarrymen while Jamie Cudmore hit the net four times for South Brent.

Totnes and Dartington Reserves sealed their semi-final place with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Chudleigh Athletic Thirds in Group B. Kingsbridge and Kellaton United may be out but they signed off in style with a 6-1 win at Torquay Town Reserves at Long Lane.

Watts Blake Bearne Reserves can win Group C if they beat current leaders Liverton United Reserves at Halford on Thursday evening, a week since they put three past Newton Rovers Reserves without reply. Liverton are in prolific form at the moment though, having beaten Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves 6-0 last Thursday and Rovers 8-1 three days later.

PLUM TIE: Dittisham United (orange) in action at Torquay Town. The hosts won 3-1 but both sides could still make the knockout stages. ©MiraclePR

As the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL tournament approaches its climax, the Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup is still too tight to call, although Meadowbrook Athletic and Watts Blake Bearne share the honour of being unbeaten so far.

Brook completed the double over Torbay Police on Saturday. After a goalless first half, Thomas Comyn’s deflected shot, mid-way through the second, gave the visitors the lead. James Thomas wrapped things up with a goal from a counter-attack towards the end of the game.

The group is still wide open though and Ipplepen Athletic must surely be in contention after their 9-1 hammering of Buckfastleigh Rangers at Moor Road, Pens’ first win of the competition. Lee Grimshaw and Brandon Hext each scored twice, there were singles for Dom Mulligan, Elliott Simson, James Thompson and Shaun Wingrove and Rangers scored once at each end, Brett Easterbrook with their consolation.

In Group B, Watts Blake Bearne made it three out of three with a convincing 6-1 home win over Plympton Athletic Reserves, ending the visitors’ hopes of progressing. Matt Elmore scored a brace for Wattsies with Matt Battishill, Lee Pascoe, Cam Gill and Billy Clinch also on target.

In Group C, Sam Pyne and Stanley Goulding scored for Barton Athletic in their 2-2 draw with Salcombe Town at Long Lane, a result that keeps Salcombe’s faint qualification hopes alive..

In Group D, just two games remain with Elburton Villa Reserves at home against East Allington United and then Ivybridge Town Reserves. Villa needing to win both of those games to qualify. East Allington lead the group despite crashing to a 5-1 loss at Ivybridge Town Reserves on Saturday, three days after beating the Ivies 3-1 at Poole Lane.

Samuel Massey’s second half strike at Broadpark the previous Tuesday had already secured Galmpton United’s semi-final spot in Group B of the Francis Clark Division One Cup. Opponents Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves are almost home and dry following their 1-1 draw at home to Chudleigh Athletic Reserves on Saturday, Jason Jones and substitute Gareth Hammon trading goals.

Upton Athletic can still pip them to the post but will have to beat Galmpton both home and away to do so.

Beesands Rovers join Ashburton as the qualifiers from Group A following their comfortable 5-1 victory over Kingskerswell and Chelston. Louis Brace, Jack Eades, TJ Lang, Adam Winkworth and sub Joe Craig all hit the mark as did Kamil Piwonski for ‘Kerswell. Ashburton are on course for a perfect group stage after Abbotskerswell were unable to raise a side.

Torquay Town kept their slim qualification hopes alive in Group A of the Bettesworths Estate Agents Division Two cup by beating Dittisham United 3-1 at Barton Cricket Club. Richard Blaynee, Simon Ross and Aaron Underhill found the net for the hosts who have to beat Newton Rovers on Saturday to have any chance of making the cut. Rovers defeated Broadhempston United 2-1 with goals from Bradley Doyle and Nigel Vass and Ryan Hedges netting for Broads. The Robins had beaten Torquay in midweek with Adam Coxell, Christopher Drewell and Dan Penny on target. Underhill was again the goalscorer for the visitors. Unbeaten Ipplepen Athletic Reserves had a lay day but still lead the group.

In Group B, Ilsington Villa picked up two more wins to secure their place in the last four. Jack Langford and Matthew Warman were on target in a 2-0 Tuesday evening home win over Bishopsteignton United and Saturday’s opponents, East Allington United Reserves, were unable to raise a side.

Babbacombe Corinthians are in pole position for the second qualifying spot after they collected four points in their last two games. Sean Coulson and Harry Pavey earned Corries a share of the spoils at East Allington on Bank Holiday Monday, Tyler Stevens with both of the Pirates’ goals. The Torquay side then beat Bishops 3-1 on Saturday with Curtis Marshall, Ryan Mellish and Joshua Swann all finding the net.

Brixham Town have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Coast and Country Estate Agents Division Three Cup with a 2-0 triumph at South Brent in Group A. Kingsteignton Athletic Thirds were eliminated as they lost out 3-0 at Teign Village.

Totnes and Dartington Reserves will host Chudleigh Athletic on Saturday to see who takes top spot in Group B after both sides won last week. Joe Potter and Harry Allen ran riot for Chudleigh Athletic Thirds, scoring seven between them in a 9-2 win over Torquay Town Reserves. In a much closer affair, Tots edged Kingsbridge and Kellaton United 3-2 at the Foxhole Ground.

Unbeaten Watts Blake Bearne Reserves still lead Group C besides not having a game last week. Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves, who had drawn 1-1 with Liverton United Reserves on the Wednesday night, got their noses in front at Steps Cross when Liam O’Connor put away a rebound from a penalty against Newton Rovers Reserves. But Matthew Gill responded for Rovers and that game ended one apiece too. Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves drew 2-2 with Liverton in the other weekend game.

DOUBLE SIXES: After winning 3-1 at Osborne Park (pictured), Newton Abbot ’66 complete the double over Plympton Athletic Reserves with a 3-2 victory at Lee Moor. ©MiraclePR.com

The Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League joined fellow leagues and clubs across the country in silencing their social media accounts over the Bank Holiday weekend. The national campaign was organised by the footballing community as part of a drive to stop online abuse and discrimination against players and others connected to the game.

On the field, Ashburton became the first side in any division to guarantee themselves a semi-final place as they defeated Kingskerswell and Chelston 3-1 in Group B of the Francis Clarke Division One Cup to leave their opponents all but eliminated. Tom Arnold, Callum Noyce and Jack White put away goals for the Ashes with Ash Beetschen grabbing a consolation. Beesands Rovers are one win from the knockout stages following their convincing 4-0 victory at Abbotskerswell. Joe Craig scored twice for the Bees with Louis Brace and William Garner also on target.

In the Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup, Torbay Police picked up their second win in a row to go top of Group A. Dan Pagett scored twice for the Bees in a 4-2 victory over Buckfastleigh Rangers. Oakley Hunt scored for the third game in a row and was joined on the score-sheet by Bobby Chancellor. Steven Sutton scored his third goal of the season for Rangers with substitute James Drew their other goalscorer.

The other Group A game, between Meadowbrook Athletic and Ipplepen Athletic was abandoned early in the second half.

Despite goals from Lewis Andrews and Ross Rice, Plympton Athletic Reserves once again failed to get points on the board in their Group B game against Newton Abbot ’66. Gregory Allen, Sean Boldick and George Dodge found the net for the Sixes at Lee Moor as they ran out 3-2 winners.

In Group C, Rhys Walton and Carlton Allen doubled up as The Windmill FC came from behind to beat Salcombe Town at Malborough Playing Fields. Trailing 3-1 at the break, the Plymouth side turned it on in the second half to win the game 6-3, Michael Neal and Tommy Phillips also contributing goals.

East Allington United were also in prolific mood in Group D, beating visiting Elburton Villa Reserves 7-1. There was a blast from the recent past as the Pirates unleashed Simon Hannaford from the bench, the forward scoring twice in ten minutes. Luke Forward also managed a brace with Dan Bowles, Mattias Bodman and Dan Hurrell completing the rout. Villa had earned themselves a point in midweek though with Alex Photiou netting in a 1-1 draw at Ivybridge Town Reserves.

Back to the Division One Cup and Sam Massey and Max Prestwood were on target for Galmpton United in Group A as the Greens narrowly beat Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves 2-1 to extend their 100% record to three games; Tom Reeves was on target for the Rams. Upton Athletic and Chudleigh Athletic, also from Group A, played each other twice in four days, both games taking place at Armada Park. Rui de Garces scored twice and there were goals from Bart Karkau and Kevin Orrell as the Torquay side won the midweek game 4-2. Alistair Chuchuck and Jordan Armstrong responded for Chudleigh. Chuchuck then scored four times on Saturday as Chudleigh bounced straight back to win 5-3, James Stafford also finding the net. Jamie Lane notched twice for Upton with Jack Rendle their other goalscorer.

Unbeaten Ipplepen Athletic Reserves top Group A of the Bettesworths Estate Agents Division Two Cup after racking up two wins in five days. Pens overcame Torquay Town 4-1 at Barton Cricket Club on the Tuesday night before scoring three without reply at home to Newton Rovers on Saturday. Dittisham United heaped more misery on Torquay Town as they beat them 4-2 at Shinners Meadow.

In Group B, Watcombe Wanderers Reserves and Ilsington Villa contested another closely fought game on Thursday night. After previously drawing 0-0 at Lewthorne Cross, Villa’s Matt Warman finally broke the deadlock at Long Lane with the only goal of the game. There was more home disappointment for Watcombe on Saturday as Curtis Marshall’s hat-trick helped Babbacombe Corinthians to a 5-1 win. Harry Pavey and Jordan Bradshaw also celebrated goals with Jed Turner scoring for the hosts. Bishopsteignton United picked up their first win with a 3-1 win over East Allington United Reserves. The Pirates still seek their first victory but did pick up a second point at home to Babbacombe on Easter Monday. Tyler Stevens scored twice for the home side with Sean Coulson and Harry Pavey responding for Corries.

Macauley Dallow dispatched a hat-trick for Brixham Town at Kingsteignton Athletic Thirds as the Torbay side made it four wins out of four in Group A of the Coast and Country Estate Agents Division Three Cup. Doubles from Shaun Langdon and Stuart Pointon and a single Brendan Boddy strike cemented an emphatic 8-0 win.

In Group B, Chudleigh Athletic Thirds’ Christian Williams also scored a hat-trick in his side’s 5-2 triumph over previously unbeaten Totnes and Dartington Reserves. Spencer Taylor and Jack Lee also found the net for Athletic with Ben Allen and Scott Troth on target for Tots.

Watts Blake Bearne Reserves top Group C after picking up four home points in four days. The Claymen were held 1-1 in a midweek game by Liverton United Reserves with Danny Harry and Ben Towler trading goals. Goals from Daniel Hagan, Kieran Heale and Mark Perring then saw Wattsies beat Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves 3-1 on Saturday, Kristopher Chapman with a goal back for Corries. Newton Rovers Reserves and Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves visited each others’ grounds with Rovers completing the double over their neighbours. Connor and Martin Breslan each scored in the midweek game at Bakers Park as Rovers won 2-0. Connor Breslan then added another two goals to his tally and Nathan De’Ath also scored as Rovers won 3-1 at Osborne Park, Joshua Fox with the Sixes’ effort.