ONE FOR THE CAMERAS: A Paignton Villa Reserves player attempts the spectacular in their 1-0 home loss to East Allington United Reserves. Al Macphee/MiraclePR
The long-awaited Herald Cup quarter-final derby between Newton Abbot ’66 and Watts Blake Bearne finally took place at Abbrook Park on Saturday afternoon, with goals from Liam Ashwell and Joe Clark-Farley getting the Sixes over the line in a bruising encounter.
Kingsteignton Athletic are two wins away from the Torbay Clearance Services Premier Division title following their 5-1 win over bottom club Paignton Saints Reserves at Coach Road. Dan Rankin and skipper Jason Jones scored two apiece with Stephen Payne also on target for the Rams. Tom Hanley scored the Saints’ consolation.
Upheaval in Group A of the Belli (Premier Division) Cup, due to several rule breaches, has seen holders East Allington confirmed through to the semi-finals and a four way battle for the remaining place. Saturday’s action was all in Group B though. Buckfastleigh Rangers ended Elburton Villa Reserves’ hopes with a convincing 6-1 victory at the Duckspond. Tom Moody scored twice for the hosts and was joined on the score-sheet by Steve Sutton, Charlie Morgan, Luke Brown and George Davidson. Sam Lang was on target for Villa. Alfie Luscombe doubled up for Chudleigh Athletic in their 4-1 win over Waldon Athletic, but victory has come too late for qualification. Gavin Hammon and Aiden Brown also weighed in with goals for the hosts, while Joseph McFarlane scored for Waldon.
Goals from Jack Eades and Adam Winkworth helped put Beesands Rovers on the brink of the Division One title as the Bees won 2-0 at home to Harbertonford. Rovers just need one more win in their last three games to seal the championship, but Morley Rangers and Ilsington Villa are not out of contention yet. Rangers kept up the pressure with a 4-0 home win over Paignton Villa, Dalton Brammer with a hat-trick and Corbin Mackin also finding the net.
Upton Athletic won Group A of the Dartmouth (Division One) Cup despite losing out 2-0 at Torquay Town. Babbacombe Corinthians kept their qualification hopes alive with victory over Ilsington Villa in Group B. A Curtis Marshall brace and Ryan Mellish goal helped Corries to a narrow 3-2 victory, Jack Langford and Jack Dixon on target for Villa. Babbacombe still have to win at Beesands Rovers in their final game to have any chance of squeezing into the top two.
Brixham Town lead a tight race for the qualification places in Group A of the Lidstone (Division Two) Cup following their 2-1 win at Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds. Ben Rowe, Jack Johansen and Zach Norton struck for Totnes, Dartington and Meadowbrook in a narrow 3-2 win over SGT Police Reserves, securing their place, alongside Watcombe Wanderers, in the semi-finals. There was nothing to play for but pride at South Devon Sports Centre, home of Paignton Villa Reserves, where a first half Rob Hutchings strike proved enough for East Allington United Reserves to clinch the win.
Hat-tricks from both Shane Essam and Adam Townsend saw Waldon Athletic Reserves book their place in the semi-finals of the Ronald Cup with a game to spare, the Clarets banging in six second half-goals in an 8-2 triumph at Chudleigh Athletic Reserves. Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves are almost through following their 3-1 win over Ipplepen Athletic Reserves in the other Group B game.
The winner takes all Group B Les Bishop (Division Four) clash between Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves and Liverton United went Liverton’s way after a seven-goal thriller at Windmill Hill, Joshua Passmore-Tarpey with the second half winner. Broadhempston United claimed the second qualification spot in Group A with a 4-1 win away at Newton Rovers Reserves, Andrew Muller with two goals for the Robins.
South Brent’s 2-1 win at Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves keeps them in the mix for the Division Four title.