Newton ’66 are a step closer to back-to-back Herald Cup finals. Photo © Al Macphee/MiraclePR. Report by SDFL.
Most clubs returned to either league or cup football this weekend as the break in the weather allowed groundstaff to repair the damage caused by the recent wet spell.
In the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division, Waldon Athletic were made to work hard for their 1-nil victory over East Allington United who are in the unusual position of being third from bottom and in desperate need of a win to boost the confidence; George Stahlmann scored the only goal of the game which sees the Torquay team move into a respectable fifth place in the division. The other Premier Division teams played their second round fixtures in the Torbay Clearance Services-sponsored Herald Cup; there were no shock results, but Broadhempston United from Division Four put in a real shift at Premier title contenders Beesands Rovers, where the home team ran out 4 – 1 winners in the end. In the all-Premier Division clash at Chudleigh, the home team knocked out Morley Rangers, but it took them extra-time to score 3 goals; Jack Lee, Louis Hooper and Charlie Forey scored them. They also had an extra player as Morley’s top scorer Dalton Brammer was sent off for foul play. Also safely through to Round Three are Newton Abbot ’66 with a 4-nil win over Babbacombe Corries; Joe Clark-Farley set them on their way with a hat-trick, and Callum Foskett added one to see off the Division One team. Harbertonford were unable to raise a team to visit Premier Leaders Ilsington Villa, and Paignton Saints were given a taste of what may be to come for them next season when they hosted Buckfastleigh Rangers. To their credit, they made last season’s Premier Division runners-up work for their place in the Third Round; in the end, Rangers were a bit stronger than Saints and a 2-1 win for the visitors was a fair result. Louis Moody and Ryan Clarke were on target for the Greens.
In Division One of the Torbay Clearance Services League, Totnes and Dartington had a great result on their trip to the seaside to take on joint league leaders Brixham Town, coming away with a 3-nil win courtesy of strikes from Ryan Walton (twice) and Harrison Hardy. There was also a cracking game at Long Lane, in a local derby, where hosts Watcombe Wanderers and Buckland Athletic Reserves cancelled each other out in a 2-2 Draw; Luca Staniforth and Abdulsalim Benmaloud got the goals for the young Bucks. Ivybridge Town Reserves join 3 other teams on 15 points at the top of the league courtesy of a tight 2-1 win over bottom club Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds.
The only game in Division Two saw East Allington United Seconds move to the top of the division with a 4–1 victory over Ipplepen Athletic Seconds.
In Division Three, South Brent continue their good start to the season following promotion; a 4–1 home win against Paignton Saints Thirds moves them into second place in the division. Jono Ellis, Josh Miller and Will Poundall secured the points for Brent. At the other end of the Division Three table, Waldon Athletic Thirds secured a valuable 2-nil home win at Cricketfield Road against a stubborn Kingsbridge and Kellaton side who had chances to win the game but on the day failed to take them. The result leaves the South Hams side still looking for their first win of the season.
The unusual story of the day unfolded at White Rock where the fixture between Paignton Villa Thirds and Barton Athletic Seconds had to be abandoned. The pitch at White Rock is a designated landing spot for the Devon Air Ambulance which needed to land to deal with a incident close by. Liverton United returned to winning ways, and to the top of Division Four, with a 2-nil home win against Watcombe Wanderers Thirds; Curtis Milford scored both the goals to secure the points for the Halford club. Chudleigh Athletic Seconds moved into fifth place, in what is a very open division, with a 3–1 win at Bakers Park against Newton Rovers Seconds; the game was effectively over, but Sam Bird scored a consolation for the home team.
With a look forward to the fixtures on Saturday 18th November:
The teams outside of the Premier Division can look forward to the Second Round of the Fred Hewings Cup which is a knockout competition for reserve teams only; there are also a few outstanding Herald Cup games that offer top of the table games, potential banana skin games and local derbies to be played.
My game of the day is in the Herald Cup at the Western Counties ground in Bovey Tracey where Newton Spurs Seconds are the visitors. They currently sit on top of Division One whilst the hosts are top of Division Two and will be looking to take a Division One team’s scalp following their defeat to Paignton Saints in the Devon Senior Cup two weeks ago. Also in the Herald Cup, there is a tricky game for Premier Division strugglers East Allington United when they visit the Kia Stadium to take on Stoke Gabriel TP Seconds who sit in second place in Division Three; another potential banana skin fixture is at Foxhole in Dartington where the Division Three side Totnes and Dartington take on the Premier Division’s bottom side Brixham AFC Reserves who will be looking to win their first game of the season.
For all other games, click on Full Time and search South Devon Football League to see who is playing where. Just a reminder: the cup games kick off at 2pm. Enjoy your Saturday supporting grassroots football.