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.

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.