Our league are joining the social media boycott from 3pm on Friday 30 April to 11:59pm on Monday 3 May, in response to the ongoing and sustained discriminatory abuse received online by players and many others connected to the game.

CUP CONTENDERS? Meadowbrook Athletic (red) scored two late, late goals to stay unbeaten while Torbay Police picked up a first win. (c)MiraclePR.com

After two defeats in their opening fixtures, Torbay Police enjoyed a good home win against Ipplepen Athletic in Group A of the Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup, one of four Champions League-style tournaments put on by the South Devon Football League.

Oakley Hunt added another two goals to his tally and Marc Hagland found the back of the net in a 3-1 victory, Elliott Simson with a goal back for the Pens. Torquay United’s comeback against Notts County may have been impressive but it wasn’t a patch on Meadowbrook Athletic’s late show at home to Buckfastleigh Rangers. Goals in each half by Steven Sutton had Rangers on course to top the group. But Brook were given a lifeline with a last minute penalty which was coolly dispatched by Liam Collings. Then substitute Michael Powell marked his first start of the tournament by firing home a stoppage time equaliser to lift the home side to the top of the group.

Watts Blake Bearne made it two out of two in Group B as they scored five with no reply at Osborne Park. Cam Gill put away a hat-trick for the Claymen with Billy Clinch and Sam Peardon also adding goals. Sam Stowell also made a valuable contribution with a crucial penalty save.

Luke Reeby took his Barton Athletic side to Salcombe Town for both side’s opening Group C game and came back with three goals and three points. Pete Summerfield, Sam Pyne and Toby Woodmore scored for the Blues in a 3-0 victory.

In Group D, a late goal from Ivybridge Town Reserves saw them clinch the win against Elburton Villa Reserves. The group, which also contains East Allington United, is now finely poised with all three teams on three points with two games played.

It was a good week for Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves in Group A of the Francis Clark Division One Cup as they picked up six points against Upton Athletic in two games to go top. Harry Payne and Tom Reeves struck on Tuesday evening to give the Rams a 2-1 win at Broadpark, Gary Doyle with a goal back for the visitors. On Saturday, Payne’s first half goal proved enough for his side to take the points at Armada Park. Galmpton United are just behind the leaders after their 6-2 triumph at Chudleigh Athletic Reserves on the Wednesday night. Liam Ford and Sam Massey scored two goals each with Richard Ridley and Jordan Thomas also finding the net. Alastair Chuchuck managed a brace of his own for the hosts.

Ashburton are looking unstoppable in Group B and ran riot at Abbots Park on Saturday, scoring 12 against hapless Abbotskerswell. Callum Noyce scored an incredible eight times for the Ashes with Jack White adding two and Kameron Pouladdej and Joshua Haycox completing the rout. Marco Armbruster did manage to get the Abbots on the score sheet. The other group game was a 1-1 draw between Kingskerswell and Chelston and Beesands Rovers, Alexander Easson and Jack Eades with the goals.

Ipplepen Athletic Reserves lead Group A of the Bettesworths Estate Agents Division Two Cup following a narrow home win over Broadhempston United. Newton Rovers are yet to drop a point though as they overcame Torquay Town 4-2 in a Tuesday evening clash at Barton Cricket Club. A double from Curtis Bond and singles from Guney Uven and Kyle Willoughby earned Rovers the points with Aaron Underhill and Shane Isaac on target for Town. Rovers were denied the chance to go top on Saturday after an injury caused their home game against Dittisham United to be abandoned.

Ilsington Villa top Group B after coming from behind against Babbacombe Corinthians at Lewthorne Cross. Curtis Marshall had given Corries an early lead from the penalty spot but Dan Langford equalised before the break and then popped up with the winner with ten minutes remaining. Babbacombe had secured three points earlier in the week with a 3-0 home win over Watcombe Wanderers Reserves. Marshall was again amongst the goals as were Jordan Charlesworth and Lee McArthur. Watcombe bounced back from that loss by beating East Allington United Reserves 4-1 away on Saturday. Matthew Hill netted twice for the Greens and was joined on the score-sheet by Alex Harding and Cory Brennan. James Bennellick put through his own net for the Pirates’ goal.

Brixham Town won a close game against South Brent to maintain their perfect start in Group A of the Coast and Country Estate Agents Division Three. Goals from Macauley Dallow, Brendan Boddy and substitute George Meredith saw Town edge the game 3-2. James Cudmore and Jono Ellis notched for the visitors who ended the game with ten men after Ethan Smith was sent off for a second yellow card.

Totnes and Dartington Reserves and Watts Blake Bearne Reserves lead groups B and C respectively after maintaining their 100% starts. Tots scored two without reply at Torquay Town Reserves with Jordan Dowsett and Jake Osman both scoring before the break. Wattsies hammered Newton Rovers Reserves 8-1 at Abbrook Park.

Jamie Chegwin scored in the first minute at Michaels Field to Give Teign Village the lead against Kinghsteignton Athletic Thirds in Group A. Sub Ryan Warrington equalised for the Rams as the game finished all square. Joe Potter scored twice and Jack Lee was on target at the Loddiswell Playing Fields as Chudleigh Athletic Thirds pulled off a 3-2 win against Kingsbridge and Kellaton United in Group B. Tyler Kendall stepped up from the bench to grab the winner for Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves as they beat Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves 1-0 at Windmill Hill in Group C. The Sixes were playing their second game in three days after drawing 2-2 at Liverton United Reserves on the Thursday night. Darren and Kevin Fisher had each scored for the visitors in that game with Kieran Crocker and substitute Daniel Benson finding the net for Liverton.

BATTLING DISPLAY: Torquay Town dug in to earn a point at Ipplepen Athletic Reserves in the Bettesworth Estate Agents Division Two Cup. (c)MiraclePR.com

In line with FA guidelines, the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL divisional cup tournament games were brought forward last Saturday afternoon to avoid a clash with the funeral of Prince Philip.

After missing a hatful of chances in their opening game, Torbay Police were hoping to be more clinical in their Manor Building Company Premier Cup Group A game at Meadowbrook Athletic. Things were looking promising for the Bees when Zac Chancellor was upended in the box and Oakley Hunt successfully dispatched the penalty kick after just 10 minutes. With Sam Chorley and Bobby Chancellor looking dangerous up front, the Police looked most likely to score next but it was Brook who made the most of their chances with goals either side of half time from Myles Chalcraft and Thomas Comyn, 2-1 the final score.

Watts Blake Bearne made a winning start to their Group B campaign with a 1-0 victory at Plympton Athletic Reserves, Luke Pellowe with the decider.

The only other Premier Division Cup game was at Poole Lane where East Allington United got their first points on the board with a 2-1 win over Ivybridge Town Reserves in Group D. Finley Bullen scored twice for the Pirates to make it three goals in two games for him.

Ashburton made it two wins out of two in the Francis Clark Division One Cup as they enjoyed a 3-1 home victory over Beesands Rovers. Callum Noyce struck twice and ack White found the net for the Ashes with Lewis Foot putting away the Bees’ consolation. In the other Group B game, Grant Fisher and Aaron Knapman celebrated goals as Abbotskerswell pulled off a narrow 2-1 win at Kingskerswell and Chelston, Lewis Cooper with a goal for the hosts.

Chudleigh Athletic Reserves head Group A courtesy of a midweek draw and a home walkover. A brace from Alastair Chuchuck and a Benjamin Hamilton-Hill goal saw Chudleigh earn a share of the spoils against visiting Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves on Tuesday 13^th. Harry Payne, Daniel Eustice and Jason Jones netted for the Rams. On Saturday, Harbertonford were unable to raise a side with Chudleigh duly benefiting from three points.

In Group A of the Bettesworth Estate Agents Division Two Cup,Torquay Town put in a battling defensive performance against a technically superior Ipplepen Athletic Reserves to earn a deserved point at Moor Road. After taking a first half lead through Aaron Underhill, the visitors fought off a series of determined attacks before succumbing to a Luke Spence penalty goal on the hour mark after a handball in the box. Town received a further blow, six minutes from time, after a player was sent off for a second yellow but they held on to maintain their unbeaten start.

Newton Rovers got off to a winning start in Group B as goals from Curtis Bond and Nigel Vass brought them a 2-0 victory at Broadhempston United. Ilsington Villa rediscovered their shooting boots at Bishopsteignton United. Two goals from Dan Langford and singles from Jack Langford and Thomas Rush led Ilsington to a 4-2 triumph at Michael’s Field.

There was plenty of action in the Coast and Country Estate Agents Division Three Cup with five games going ahead. Brixham Town and South Brent lead the way in Group A after successive wins. Town scored twice at Teign Village through Stuart Pointon and Daniel Tucker and also kept another clean sheet. Brent went one better with a 3-0 home win over Kingsteignton Athletic Thirds.

Totnes and Dartington Reserves also added to their winning start by beating Kingsbridge and Kellaton United 4-1 at the Loddiswell Playing Fields. This week’s hat-trick hero was Scott Troth with Jake Osman also netting for Tots. The other Group B game saw 11 goals scored as Chudleigh Athletic Thirds grabbed the three points at Torquay Town Reserves, Christian Williams with a hat-trick in a 6-5 triumph. Harry Allen, Joe Potter and Spencer Taylor also came up with goals for Chudleigh with Mark Blagdon scoring twice for town. Daniel Cartwright, Kieran Hutchings and James Scott also contributed goals for the hosts.

In Group C, Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves bounced back from their opening day defeat as they beat Newton Rovers Reserves 2-0 at Bakers Park, a second consecutive home loss for Rovers.

UP FOR THE CUP: Newton Rovers Reserves and Liverton United Reserves battled it out at Bakers Park in the Coast and Country Estate Agents Division Three Cup. ©MiraclePR

The TCSSDFL’s long-awaited Champions League style divisional cup tournaments kicked off last Saturday afternoon with 46 teams all hoping to lift the trophy for their division in a few week’s time. The winners will also receive £100 prize money as a gesture from the league.

Buckfastleigh Rangers, Newton Abbot ’66, The Windmill FC and Elburton Villa Reserves top their respective groups in the Manor Building Company Premier Division Cup after picking up three points each.

The Windmill had the easiest start to the tournament with Salcombe Town unable to field a side for their Group C clash. In Group A, Buckfastleigh returned from Broadley Lane with the points after scoring three without reply against Torbay Police. Declan Cowley, Russell Jones and Zachary McLean found the net for Rangers.

Newton Abbot ’66 also scored three times in a lively Group B game at Osborne Park which saw both themselves and visiting Plympton Athletic Reserves reduced to ten men after an altercation at the start of the second half. The Sixes’ goals came from Tom Lowe, Gordon Stevenson and Callum Foskett with Ryan Webber on target for the visitors.

The highest scoring game in the Premier Division Cup was in Group D where Elburton Villa Reserves beat East Allington United 5-3 at Haye Lane. Jake Beer scored twice for the hosts and was joined on the score-sheet by Alex Photiou, Dan Barnes and Dylan Merchant. Luke Forward also managed a brace, for the Pirates with Finley Bullen their other goalscorer.

Meadowbrook Athletic earned a decent point away at Ipplepen Athletic in Group A. Brook’s Liam Collings opened the scoring in the first half but Pens got back on terms before the break. The biggest incident in the second half was an acrobatic clearance off the line from Meadowbrook’s Myles Chalcraft as the game ended 1-1.

Following a successful return to competitive football, league chairman Phil Smith said, “I hope that the League’s goodwill gesture of funding prize money of £100 for each of the winners of the four cup competitions will give an added incentive to clubs to do their best to progress.

“After many years of service on the League Management Committee and even longer as a player, manager and referee, this is the first time I know of the League doing this. We hope it adds some extra excitement and a much needed ‘feel good’ factor.”

Smith and League Secretary Alastair Muirden also thanked Manor Building Company, PKF Francis Clark, Bettesworths Estate Agency and Coast and Country Estate Agency for their sponsorship which will pay for the new cups and medals.

Galmpton United and Ashburton picked up where they had left off in 2020 with comfortable wins in the Francis Clark Division One Cup. Will Baker, Toby Edmundson, Samuel Massey, Callum Nightingale and Max Prestwood all got their names on the score-sheet as Galmpton defeated Chudleigh Athletic Reserves 6-1 at the War Memorial Ground in Group A. The Ashes put Kingskerswell and Chelston to the sword in Group B with a 7-1 away victory.

Beesands Rovers also had a productive away day in Group B, storming into a four goal lead at Abbotskerswell with Joe Craig scoring twice, Jamie Watts heading home a corner and substitute Louis Brace curling home a fourth with his first touch of the ball. Abbots pulled one back through a freak own goal before Lewis Foot’s free-kick crashed against the bar and in for the Bees’ fourth. Abbotskerswell had the last word with a goal from the penalty spot as the game finished 5-2.

Chudleigh were back in action on Tuesday evening, taking on Kingsteignton Athletic at Kate Brook. Alistair Chuchuck scored twice for the home side with Benjamin Hamilton-Hill also finding the net. The Rams battled their way to a point though thanks to strikes from Harry Payne, Dan Eustice and Jason Jones.

Upton Athletic got off to a winning start in Group A, away at Harbertonford. After knocking on the door few times in the first half, Bart Karkau and Kevin Orrell produced second half goals to claim the points. Between those goals, Jordan Baggott put away a penalty for the Fords but the Torquay side were deserving winners.

Torquay Town and Ipplepen Athletic Reserves won their openers in Group A of the Bettesworth Estate Agents Division Two Cup. A Simon Ross hat-trick helped Town to a 5-2 home triumph over the Robins of Broadhempston Town while a single first half goal at sunny Shinners Meadow was enough for the Pens to overcome Dittisham United.

In Group B, East Allington United Reserves and Bishopsteignton United shared eight goals at Poole Lane. Meanwhile, Ilsington Villa were held to a 0-0 draw by Watcombe Wanderers Reserves who had a goal chalked off in the first half.

Brixham Town swept aside the challenge of Teign Village in Group A of the The Coast and Country Estate Agents Division Three Cup. There were braces from Lewis Booth, Harry Chastney and Macauley Dallow as Town won 7-0. Jordan Dowsett scored a hat-trick for Totnes and Dartington Reserves as they beat Torquay Town Reserves 4-1 in Group B.

In Group C, Ben Drinkwater scored both of Watts Blake Bearne Reserves’ goals as they won 2-0 at Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves. Liverton United Reserves were rewarded for a quick start at Bakers Park; Ryan Duke’s tidy third minute finish against Newton Rovers Reserves was the only goal of the game.

At around 8pm tonight (Monday 15th March), the TCSSDFL committee will hold the draw for the Group Stage (first round) of the 2021 divisional cups. The draw will be publicised live on the league’s Twitter account https://twitter.com/sdfl2020

The clubs of the TCS South Devon Football League have voted to return to competitive action before the summer with a ‘Champions League’ style tournament in April and May the preferred option.

Every club took the opportunity to have a say in how the season would conclude by choosing one of four options presented to them. While a minority of clubs opted for no further games until next season, 77% did want to see a return to competitive play in one form or another.

The most popular option (with a 36% share of the vote) was to expunge the current league season and start afresh with a series of divisional cup tournaments comprising mini leagues followed by knockout stages to determine the trophy winners.

As a result, the TCS SDFL have now adopted this proposal and circulated the competition rules to the clubs.

The first fixtures will be arranged for Saturday 10th April. This follows the expected lifting of national outdoor sports restrictions on March 29^th.

We note the UK Government’s announcement on Monday 4 January with regards to the new national COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown.

As a result, the impact on ‘non-elite’ football in England will include the suspension of fixtures and training across the following with immediate effect:

·         Steps three to six of the National League System

·         Tiers three to seven of the Women’s Football Pyramid

·         Regional NLS feeder leagues

·         Barclays FA WSL Academy League (unless under elite status)

·         FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs (unless under elite status)

·         All indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football, including under-18s (except organised outdoor football for disabled people, which is allowed to continue)

·         Vitality Women’s FA Cup (which is currently classified as ‘non-elite’ at this stage in the competition)

It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the Government’s new national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and we implore everyone to follow these. 

Dialogue will continue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, leagues, competitions and County Football Associations and we will provide further updates for the 2020-21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup, Buildbase FA Vase and ‘non-elite’ football when relevant.

We would like to thank the football community once again for its hard work, resilience and understanding during such an incredibly challenging period.

Photo ©MiraclePR

Good Afternoon All.

Hope you are all staying safe and looking forward to a different kind of Christmas. Whoever said that it would all end in Tiers could not spell very well !!!

I wanted to update our member clubs on what progress has been made and the current situation at the Christmas break.

COVID. Since the start of the TCS SDFL season we have had 11 positive tests from players or officials and two players have had to isolate through being in contact with a person who tested positive.

As a result of this, 31 games have been postponed but the good news is that all concerned have made a full recovery.

LEAGUE SEASON. As last season had to be curtailed due to COVID, the Committee put a restructure to member clubs which was agreed at the AGM. We were able to do this as we had nine new applications for membership which allowed us to put some clubs into respective divisions to create competition across the league.

A number of people have told me that we have the most competitive Premier Division that we have had for years and if you look at the results for 5th December you will see that there were only six games played but in two of them a team in the bottom three beat a team in the top three. That’s competition.

THE FUTURE. In the current climate, we can only do what we are allowed to do and we are further forward than most other leagues.

We have 22 playing Saturdays left plus light evenings for seven weeks after the clocks change so you can check how your own club sits with games but here are some examples:

Premier. Broadmeadow have 18 games to play. That means four spare Saturdays with no mid-weeks.

Barton Athletic have 23 games to play. That means no spare Saturdays and one mid-week at the moment.

Div One. Upton Athletic have 12 games to play. That means ten free Saturdays and no mid-weeks (they could be on the beach by Easter).

Kingsteinton Athletic / ‘Kerswell and Chelston/ Harbertonford and Waldon Athletic have 16 games to play. That means six free Saturdays and no mid-weeks.

Div Two. Ilsington Villa have 14 games to play. That means eight free Saturdays and no mid-weeks.

Torbay Police 2nds have 18 games to play. That means four free Saturdays and no mid-weeks.

Div Three. Six teams have 19 games to play. That’s only three free Saturdays and WBB 2nds have 23 games still to play so mid-weeks will be needed at Abbrook Park.

The Management Committee have decided to delay a decision on our cup competitions until March as there is no point starting them sooner in case we are forced into another lockdown and we feel it’s more important to concentrate on the league games. I would also say that we have not forgotten the clubs that are still in last season’s competition.

I also want to wish good luck to our teams that have decided to enter the County cups that start on 2nd January.

That just leaves me to wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a safe new year and thank you for what you do for your club (I am wishing for a vaccine jab and a dry winter)

Stay Safe

Alastair Muirden

Secretary – South Devon Football League

Photograph (c) MiraclePR

Ahead of the restart of the TCSSDFL on Saturday 5th December, the League Secretary, Alastair Muirden has provided the following statement:

“Hope you are all well and looking forward to some outdoor activity.

“Following the latest Government announcement that Devon will be in Tier 2, the FA have stated that we are able to restart our SDFL season on Saturday 5^th Dec.

“You will note that the fixtures are up to date on our website and you will be notified of the officials in the normal way.

“We are asking every Club to take a moment to revisit their COVID protocols before Saturday and update anything that needs to be done as it has all been unused for a month.

“Can I remind all clubs that if you decide to use changing rooms then the recommended segregation should be applied.

“If you are fortunate enough to have a clubhouse it should remain closed apart from a one way system to use the toilets if that is the only access point.

“All positive COVID tests relating to your club should be reported to myself as soon as possible as it gives us more time to move fixtures around.

“Once again, I would thank you for what you do for SDL football. Let’s try to keep everybody safe and enjoy some football.”