ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT: Brixham Town lift the Ronald Cup with a 3-2 victory over Totnes and Dartington. © Al Macphee/MiraclePR
In an exciting week of South Devon Football League action, Kingsteignton Athletic booked their place in the Herald Cup final, while Brixham Town lifted the Ronald Cup, their second trophy in as many seasons.
Division One title hopefuls Kingsteignton Athletic put in a solid, clinical performance against Division Two standouts Ilsington Villa at The Rec last Wednesday night, winning 3-1. They will play Plymouth-based Premier Division outfit The Windmill in the Torbay Clearance Services Herald Cup Final, which will take place on May 20th, also at The Rec.
The game could have turned out very differently had Dan Langford’s lobbed effort, just four minutes in, hit the target. Instead, the ball crashed agonisingly against the crossbar and was cleared from the goal-line by the Rams defence. After that early scare, Kingsteignton quickly settled and got stronger as the half wore on. Having already threatened from several set pieces, Kingsteignton opened the scoring on 22 minutes when Sam Barnes powered a header from a free-kick past Connor Gibson.
Mark Voisey doubled their lead in the 34th minute. Following some impressive midfield play, Voisey received the ball on the right before smashing it into the far corner of the goal. Just as Kingsteignton looked to be getting on top, goalkeeper Jay Osborn picked up a foot injury following a clearance, leading to a four minute pause in play. Ironically, Villa scored during first half stoppage time, Matt Warman pouncing after the Rams had failed to clear a cross.
Ilsington had the bulk of the chances at the start of the second half, with both Dan and Jack Langford threatening, but Kingsteignton had a huge chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty an hour in. Gibson saved Barnes’ initial spot kick, but the referee ordered a retake, only for Gibson to beat away Barnes’ effort again. With just over 20 minutes remaining, a Kingsteignton player went down on the edge of the box. The referee consulted his linesman but, to Kingsteignton’s frustration, they were only awarded a free-kick. Five minutes later, it was Villa’s turn to complain. Dan Langford unlocked the defence by dribbling into the box and laying off to a teammate. A last ditch challenge by Louis Dickinson brought him down, but the referee denied Villa a penalty. Voisey then sealed the win in the 81st minute with another clinical finish.
The action switched to Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police F.C. the next evening, with Brixham Town taking on Totnes and Dartington for the Bettesworths Estate & Business Agents Ronald Cup, the first of the league’s divisional cup finals.
Tots were looking to make amends for last season’s final loss against Brixham, and they soon found themselves in front, capitalising on a nervous start by the Brixham defence. Goalkeeper Cam Atkinson had already gifted Totnes a chance in the opening minute, forced into making a goal-saving tackle after missing a clearance. Two minutes later, he could only watch helplessly as a defensive blunder and unlucky deflection sent the ball goal-wards, Jake Osman bursting through to hasten its journey towards the back of the net.
Two goals in as many minutes turned the first half tide. On 31 minutes, James Spriggs’ save fell at the feet of Ben Ford who made no mistake with his shot. Immediately after the restart, Stuart Pointon’s deflected shot put Town in front. It looked as if Brixham would go into the second half with their noses in front, but Sam Ingham had other ideas. Four minutes into first half stoppage time, he fired a superb shot into the far corner of the net to level the scores.
Tots almost took the lead on 65 minutes, following another defensive mishap, but a determined Brixham Town defender drew cheers from the crowd with an impressive last ditch challenge to avert an almost certain goal. At the other end, there then followed a classic case of players not playing to the whistle. As both sets of players looked to the referee to make a decision on an incident, a Brixham player lobbed an effort towards goal. The ball hit the bar, but had it gone in, the goal would probably have stood.
Jordan Baxter and Jake Osman then had good chances to put Tots ahead, but it was Brixham who found a winning goal, Pointon receiving the ball on the edge of the box and hitting the target.
On Saturday, Brixham AFC Reserves passed up a golden opportunity to reclaim top spot in the Torbay Clearance Services Premier Division when they lost out 5-1 at home to East Allington United. Two goals apiece from Josh Pascoe and Aidan Corcoran, and a single from Matt Bodman earned the Pirates the points. Luke Manuell with a consolation for the Fishermen.
Leaders Buckfastleigh Rangers are now within touching distance of the title, but with trips to both The Windmill and Elburton Villa Reserves to come, there could be more twists before the end of the season. Villa, who play Salcombe this weekend, celebrated a vital win over Watts Blake Bearne, Scott Allen with both goals. The Windmill are also still in with a slim chance of the title following their home walkover against Meadowbrook Athletic. They will have to beat Buckfastleigh on Saturday to keep that dream alive. Brixham travel to East Allington United in their penultimate game.
Away from the title fight, Harrison Hardy scored twice as Ivybridge Town Reserves beat Salcombe Town 3-1 at Erme Valley. Alex Henniker also found the net for the Ivies, with Dominic Nott on target for the Crabs.
The Division One title race also opened up a little with Paignton Saints Reserves losing their unbeaten record at home to Upton Athletic. A Charlie Rowe brace, and a strike from Sam O’Mara helped Upton to a 3-1 win, moving them off the bottom and into positive points for the first time this season. Aaron Knapman scored for Saints.
As Saints stumble, Kingsteignton appear to be galloping into the final straight. The Rams scored eight without reply at Kingskerswell and Chelston, Ollie Kewell with five goals and Nathan Isaac, Jason Jones and Lewis Plackett also on target.
For now, Waldon Athletic and Chudleigh Athletic Reserves still occupy the top two spots. The Clarets didn’t play, but Chudleigh won 5-2 at Beesands Rovers. Gavin Hammon scored twice for the visitors, and he was joined on the score-sheet by Jordan Armstrong, Matthew Briant and Matthew Williams; Jack Eades and Thomas Harvey netted for the Bees. Liam Yeates and Harry Atkinson scored for their respective sides as Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves drew 1-1 with Paignton Villa.
A Pete Summerfield hat-trick helped unbeaten Division Two leaders Torquay Town to a sixth league win on the bounce, Town beating Barton Athletic Reserves 6-0. Simon Ross doubled up and Jamie Chamberlain also netted. Ilsington Villa bounced back from their cup heartache with a 2-1 win at Babbacombe Corinthians, Matt Warman and George Harris on target.
Elsewhere, a Sam Pyne hat-trick and Oliver Riches brace saw Watcombe Wanderers secure a 5-1 win at Ipplepen Athletic Reserves; Newton Rovers lost 2-0 at home to SGT Police Reserves and bottom club Paignton Villa Reserves warmed up for their Fred Hewings Cup semi-final against Chudleigh Athletic Thirds with a 3-2 victory at Dartmouth AFC Reserves, their second away win on the spin. Jack Wilkinson scored twice for Villa, with Joshua Barker their other goal-scorer. Oumar Rujbally and Richard Yeo responded for Darts.
In Division Three, Christian Williams scored both of Chudleigh Thirds’ goals in their 2-0 home win over Paignton Saints Thirds. Watts Blake Bearne Reserves, who face Ivybridge Town Development in the Fred Hewings semi-final, just about kept their title momentum going with a 4-3 home win over Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves. Teign Village picked up three points due to hosts Bishopsteignton United being unable to raise a side.