CLASH OF THE THIRDS: Watcombe Thirds claimed the points with a 3-1 victory over Barton Athletic Thirds at Steps Cross. © Al Macphee/Miraclepr.com
The TCS South Devon Football League enjoyed a bumper weekend in the county cups with all four remaining teams making it through to their respective semi-finals.
In the Robert Williams Estate Agents Devon Senior Cup, goals from Chris Barnett and Kelsey Leech saw Kingsteignton Athletic through 2-1 against Newton St. Cyres. Chudleigh Athletic will join the Rams in the hat after they defeated Torrington Reserves 2-0 at Kate Brook, Joe Potter and Jordan Armstrong with the goals. Teignmouth Reserves and Topsham Town Reserves were the other quarter final winners.
The last SDFL team to lift the Senior Cup were Dartmouth in 2014, with Roselands the last team to make the final, losing out to Cronies FC in 2017.
Waldon Athletic Reserves put three past Falcons without reply to make the semi-final of the A&S Paving Devon Intermediate Cup. Wayne Bergin, Stephen Rohan and Adam Townsend found the net for the Clarets. It was a closer affair at Erme Park where Ivybridge Town Development edged out Bickleigh 3-2. Lewis Dickson scored twice for the Ivies with Matthew Goodwin also on target. St Thomas Social Club and Starcross Dons also made the final four.
The last South Devon Football League side to lift the Intermediate Cup were Roselands in 2015 although Brixham Town came close last season with a narrow loss to Witheridge Reserves in the final.
The top two both won in the TCSSDFL Premier Division. A second half winner from Mitch Thomas saw Brixham AFC edge a close game against Salcombe Town at Wall Park. The Fishermen have another tough game, away at the Windmill FC, on Saturday.
Steve Sutton scored twice for Buckfastleigh Rangers in a comfortable 4-1 victory over Ivybridge Town Reserves.
Things were going well for third-placed East Allington United away at Haye Road, as goals from Ben Bowhay and talisman Simon Hannaford put them two up against Elburton Villa Reserves. But Villa came storming back and were 3-2 up by the break. The Plymouth side carried on where they left off after the break, eventually running out 6-2 winners, a result which moves them above the Pirates into third place. Scott Allen scored twice for Villa with Jake Beer, Marley Cunningham, Corbin Mackin and Billy Tedder also finding the net. Elburton play Salcombe away in their next game.
Cameron Gill netted twice for Watts Blake Bearne as they won their first league game in three to climb back into the top six. Jamie Orchard also scored for The Claymen in a 3-0 triumph at Meadowbrook Athletic.
Newton Abbot ’66 ran riot at Osborne Park with Darren Fisher, Keran Fletcher and Joe Clark-Farley each bagging hat-tricks in a 12-0 mauling of Barton Athletic.
With Harbertonford unable to raise a side, Paignton Saints Reserves moved top of Division One with a home walkover win. The only other games in the Division saw Beesands Rovers beat Buckfastleigh Rangers 4-0, Jack Eades with a brace, and Paignton Villa enjoy a 3-0 victory away at Kingskerswell and Chelston.
Torquay Town and Ilsington Villa warmed up for Saturday’s big Division Two showdown at Lewthorne Cross with emphatic away wins. Connor Preston scored five times for Torquay Town and Simon Ross put away a hat-trick as Town demolished Watcombe Wanderers Reserves 11-0 at Long Lane.
Villa pulled off a 6-0 win away at Paignton Villa Reserves with Dan Langford scoring a hat-trick, keeping him top of the league goalscoring charts. There were goals all over the division with Barton Athletic Reserves and Newton Rovers scoring five in victories over Ipplepen Athletic Reserves and Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds respectively. East Allington United won 2-1 away at Dartmouth AFC Reserves, while Babbacombe Corinthians returned from SGT Police Reserves with the three points.
Unbeaten Brixham Town still lead the way in Division Three following a 2-0 win away at Liverton United Reserves. Brendan Boddy and Stuart Pointon scored the goals.
Two goals each from Ben Drinkwater and Matt Elmore helped second-placed Watts Blake Bearne Reserves to a 5-1 home win over Broadhempston United. They increase their lead over Newton Abbott ’66 Reserves to eight points after the Sixes lost out 2-1 at Totnes and Dartington Reserves. Teign Village closed the gap on the top three with an 8-1 home win over Bishopsteignton United, Mike Turner scoring three. Paignton Saints Thirds scored four without reply against visiting Kingsbridge and Kellaton United.
Christian Williams terrorised Torquay Town Reserves at Barton Cricket Club. The Chudleigh Athletic Thirds player scored seven of his side’s goals in a 10-2 thrashing.
It was a day of hat-tricks in Division Four. Bovey Tracey Reserves cemented their position at the top with a convincing 4-0 win at South Brent. Alistair Chuchuk bagging a hat-trick in that game. Brixham Town Reserves moved up to third, Daniel Trezise’s treble helping his side to a 5-0 triumph over Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves.
Gavin Lake earned Watcombe Wanderers Thirds the points at Barton Athletic Thirds with a ‘perfect’ hat-trick at Steps Cross. The game sprung to life in a frenetic end to the first half which saw three goals scored in three minutes. Lake slotted into the bottom left with his right foot to break the deadlock, on 43 minutes, after good build up play by Watcombe. A minute later, he got on the end of a cross to head the Greens two up. Despite desperate attempts to clear off the line, Barton then got a goal back on the stroke of half-time. Watcombe restored their cushion on 68 minutes, the rebound from Corey Price’s saved shot guided into the back of the net by Lake’s left boot.
Finally, Connor Charlesworth scored a hat-trick at Decoy Park as Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves defeated winless Discoveries Devon 4-1.