Tag: fred hewings cup

newton abbot spurs reserves

Cup glory for Spurs Thirds!

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 11th APR, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves contributed by SDFL

Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds may have been the highest-ranked team to qualify for the Fred Hewings Cup, but Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds not only contributed to a great final, they took the eventual winners all the way to a penalty shootout on Friday night at Buckfastleigh.

The scoreline after 90 minutes was 2-2, with Frank Orynik and Rhys Fewings finding the net for Spurs after Jono Ellis and Russ Ellis had given Sixes the lead. With no further goals in extra-time, the neutral supporters were going to to be the only people who were looking forward to a penalty shootout, and Spurs were more clinical with the kicks, winning 3-1 and being able to have an evening of celebration to offset their league season.

Saturday’s games were full of shocks and bruises, so let’s start with the bruises; in the Premier Division’s knockout Belli Cup, the Plymouth derby between True Blues and Lakeside Athletic lived up to the pre-match billing with True Blues needing to find true grit to come back from three-nil down at the break to force extra-time and then take the tie in a dramatic penalty shootout, where they scored all five spot kicks; Bayley Williams, Ashley White and George Davey were the second half scoring heroes for the Blues, who finished the game with ten players. Lakeside still have another cup semi-final to look forward to next week and will be hoping for better fortune against WBB.

The other Belli Cup game went with the form book when Windmill booked a place in their divisional semi-final for the second consecutive season, with a  3-1 victory over a much-improved Buckfastleigh Rangers side; all the goals came courtesy of Brodie Simpson, who is certainly having a great season when it comes to finding the net.

In the Division One Dartmouth Cup, Elburton Villa Reserves had a bruising home win versus Watcombe Wanderers by five goals to three to add yet another fixture to their gruelling April and May game program, where they are going to have to arrange to play three times each week to avoid not finishing their fixtures. Bovey Tracey Reserves, another team with a lot of league games to play, also had a good result against a Liverton United side that was made up of reserve team players due to non-availability; Bovey ran out 5-2 winners with strikes from Ben Moyle, Ollie Bourne, Owen Caldwell and Rory Wolfe.

Babbacombe Corries progressed in the Division Two knockout with a 4-1 win against Harbertonford thanks to Kieron Sweet, Joshua Hills, Jordan Bradshaw and Jack Cousins.

The Division Three Ronald Cup game between the two runaway leaders went the way of Kingskerswell by one goal to nil. The game would have been every neutral’s wish for the final, and Galmpton United certainly made the home team work for the victory in a game that was a credit to this level of football.

The Division Four cup had just one game, and Barton Athletic Seconds, who have had a great season, came very close to a cup upset versus the league leaders Chudleigh Athletic Seconds; in a very entertaining game at Barton Downs, the game ended 2-2 after full and extra-time, and it was the visitors who were more composed in front of goal, winning the shootout 3-1.

In the Torbay Clearance Services Premier Division, Ilsington Villa’s title hopes were dented in a one-nil defeat to East Allington United in a fantastic game of football that brought out the best in the Pirates and in Finn Bullen, who remains one of the top strikers in the competition. Chudleigh Athletic and Newton Abbot ’66 shared the points in a 1-1 draw in a game that both teams could have felt more comfortable with all three points, but sometimes, you need to keep a full complement of players on the pitch to do that; it was reported to have been a stop-start, messy affair which saw three sin bins. Totnes and Dartington will be no doubt glad to see the back of this season and press the reset button after this week’s 9-1 loss at the hands of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves (pictured). The Tots have struggled all season to put two sides out, which is such a shame for the Belli Cup holders with a great club ethic to be struggling to attract young players at this time. Spurs are still in with a chance of a top three finish. Paignton Saints remain in a positive mood, and a 2-1 win at Kingsteignton Athletic heaps more worries of a season end relegation battle for the Rams, which would have been unthinkable in any other season.

In Division One, Watts Blake Bearne continue to plough through whoever is put in front of them, and a 10-2 demolition of Brixham Town will have a different effect on both teams. Ashton Sowerby was a hat-trick hero for the Claymen, and after a great first half of the season, the Fishermen find themselves struggling to put out two teams each week as players seem to find other activities on a Saturday. That seems to be the way it is at the moment. Mount Gould are also one of the teams to beat in this division, and Paignton Villa came close. The final score was one-nil to the Plymouth-based team thanks to a single strike from Jake McLean that takes them a step closer to another promotion. At the other end of the table, Buckland Athletic Reserves continue to improve, and another three points this time, versus Beesands Rovers, by three goals to one, will give the young Bucks every hope of staying in Division One.

In Division Two, Signal Box Oak Villa moved three points closer to the league title with a comprehensive five-nil win at Bakers Park against Newton Rovers, and Ipplepen Athletic Reserves produced a shock result in beating Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds by three goals to nil. The Pens will be glad to get some more points on the board, but they remain one of five teams that could go down a division. Paignton Villa Seconds and Drake shared a 1-1 draw in a game that was played without a referee, and both remain contenders for a top three spot (full report on Daves World), and Paignton Saints Seconds put a dent in the hopes of Ashburton with a 4-3 victory in a tough game for all.

Finally, congratulations to Kingsbridge and Kellaton United in Division Four, as they picked up another three points in a three-nil home win versus Broadhempston United to put them in contention for a mid-table season, which would be a welcome break from the recent seasons of struggle for the family-run club. Well done to Tina and Andy, and thank you for what you do for South Devon football.

Game to catch this week:

Herald Cup semi-final, kindly sponsored by Torbay Clearance Services: Friday 17th April at Buckland Athletic FC with a 7pm kick off. Can WBB, from Division One, cause a cup shock when they face a Lakeside Athletic side bruised from a Belli Cup defeat in what should be a great advert for South Devon League football. There is plenty of parking, and a full bar and food service will be provided by the host club.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

the windmill dartmouth cup winners 2025

Midweek Premier results from the competition that keeps on giving

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 5th APR, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of The Windmill contributed by SDFL

The much awaited meeting between two of the division’s title contenders did not disappoint, and in yet another game in the Torbay Clearance Services league that could well have been played at a higher level, Lakeside Athletic and Ilsington Villa eventually shared the points in a 3-3 thriller and hand a slight advantage to Windmill who continue to lead the division.

At the other end of the division, the relegation places are far from decided as Buckfastleigh Rangers continue their rich vain of form with a 4-1 win over fourth placed East Allington United at Poole Lane. In Division One, Bovey Tracey Reserves had a big midweek win at home to Brixham Town, by ten goals to nil, and effectively remove the Fishermen from the promotion race.

Last week, I wrote about the joy and pain experienced in playing in the Herald Cup, and that continued into this weekend as WBB had the joy and Chudleigh Athletic had to suffer the pain in the delayed quarter-final. The game ended 4-4 after 90 minutes, and with neither side able to conjure up a winner in extra-time, the dreaded penalty shoot-out went in favour of the Claymen, who scored four times to knock out their Premier Division opponents and progress to the semi-final where Lakeside Athletic lay in wait; the dates for the semis remain to be confirmed as the abandoned Paignton Saints v East Allington Unitted tie has still to be played.

In the Premier Division, Windmill (pictured) continue to lead the pack, and a fine 4-1 victory over Paignton Saints, courtesy of a Brodie Simpson hat-trick, keeps the Plymouth-based team as the team to beat and leaves Saints’ season hinging on that Herald Cup game.

Lakeside Athletic will be glad to see the back of Totnes and Dartington after their latest battle ended in a 2-2 draw; the Tots have taken four points from Athletic this season and dented their title hopes while, of course, picking up a valuable point in their own hopes for survival. Plymouth True Blues got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 5-1 win at Newton Abbot ’66. Five different players got on the scoresheet, and True Blues remain on course for a top three place. Ilsington Villa continue to plug away at the points shortfall between themselves and the top three, and enjoyed a hard-fought 3-2 win against Kingsteignton Athletic, where the referee had a busy afternoon, but goals from Dan Langford, George Dixon and Jamie Soper keeps the Moorlanders chasing a league and cup double.

In the Division One cup, Barton Athletic slipped up in a 3-1 loss at Watcombe Wanderers; goals from club stalwart Sean Finch, Ollie Dowell and James Smith ensured that the Greens go into the semi-final to save their season. Paignton Villa also bowed out of the Dartmouth Cup at the hands of Elburton Villa Reserves, who are also chasing a league and cup double.  Mount Gould continue to put pressure on the top three, and a good 4-1 victory at Beesands Rovers probably puts the Bees out of the promotion race as they are running out of games to play. Bentley Alcantara, Ray Spear and Billy Eccles won the points for the Mounties. Brixham Town finally won a game after a torrid run of form since the turn of the year. A 2-1 victory at Buckland Athletic Reserves will give the Fishermen some hope of a strong run in to the end of May.

In Division Two, Signal Box Oak Villa are just nine points away from claiming the divisional title following a hard-earned victory at East Allington United Seconds with a 4-2 scoreline. Jordan Richards was a hat-trick hero, not for the first time this season, and there was a single strike from Ryan Willis. Drake FC and Ashburton fought out a 2-2 draw at Manadon, a result that neither of these two promotion contenders would have wanted. Kameron Pouladge was the man of the match for Ashes with both goals. Ivybridge Town Reserves and Paignton Villa Seconds also shared the points in a 1-1 stalemate and remain just outside the top three. In the divisional cup, Babbacombe Corries progressed at the hands of Paignton Saints Reserves with a one-nil scoreline thanks to Kieron Sweet.

In the Division Three and Four cups, Kingskerswell, Harbertonford, Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves, Ipplepen Athletic Seconds, Galmpton United and Bere Alston Reserves all made it through in their respective divisional cups.

Game to catch this week:

As we enter cup final season, the opener is the Fred Hewings final which serves up a Newton Abbot derby game between Spurs Thirds and ’66 Seconds at Buckfastleigh Rangers on Friday evening with a 7pm kick off. Spurs are the highest ranked team in the knockout competition for reserve teams, but they have not had the best of seasons in Division One, currently sitting at the foot of the table; ’66 have had a decent season in Division Three and currently sit just in fifth place but are typical of any side from ’66 and that is that they are difficult to beat; although there are two divisions between the teams, depending on how the divisions finish, this game could in fact be a league fixture next season. There is plenty of parking, and a full bar and food service will be available.

Enjoy your grassroots cup finals.

fred hewings cup final 2024 paignton saints reserves

Saints Clinch Fred Hewings Cup as Watcombe Draw a Blank

Report and photos contributed by SDFL

At last, spring finally kicked off and allowed most South Devon League footballers to get back to some normal Saturday afternoon activity even if the going was still good to soft on Grand National day. The first cup final of the season went ahead courtesy of the hard working ground staff at Buckfastleigh Rangers where Watcombe Wanderers Reserves took on Paignton Saints Reserves for the Fred Hewings Cup; this is the knockout competition which is restricted to all reserve teams in the league and this year’s competition was kindly sponsored by Combined Roofing Services.

watcombe wanderers reserves simon ross fred hewings cup final 2024
Watcombe’s top scorer Simon Ross couldn’t find the target.

The game could have gone either way as both teams had chances that were not taken; it was end to end play and at times a bit frantic; the referee had a busy evening, issuing 6 yellow cards for mis-timed challenges, and the game had extra-time written all over it; that was until the 60th minute when George Keates received the ball 25 yards from goal, saw the Watcombe ‘keeper off his line and took his chance with a fine strike.

Watcombe continued to push and chance after chance went begging – just a reminder that last season, Saints were in the Premier Division and Watcombe were in Division Four, and that bit of extra experience held out for Saints to celebrate the first South Devon League cup final of the season with a firework display.

paignton saints reserves george keats fred hewings cup 2024
Saints’ Ryan McGee won man of the match.

Elsewhere in the catch up cup games Newton Abbot ’66 and Waldon Athletic had a mammoth tussle in the semi final of the Belli cup at Osbourne Park, 2 – 2 at the end of full time and extra-time where Waldon were reduced to 10 men and ’66 just edged the penalty shootout to claim a cup final berth to look forward to. Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves, who themselves are enjoying their football again after a couple of seasons of struggle, possibly sent out a message to next season’s Premier Division teams by thrashing Elburton Villa Reserves 5 – 1 in the Herald Cup to progress to the quarter-finals. Bovey Tracey Reserves also had a comfortable afternoon at home to Barton Athletic; a 7 – 1 demolition job secured their place in the Les Bishop final and a league and cup double is still on the cards for the Moorlanders. Liverton United first team booked a place in the semi-final of the Ronald Cup with a 6 – 2 victory at Totnes and Dartington and their reserve team came out on top with a 2 – nil win against Drake FC, and they will play in the Les Bishop final against Chudleigh Athletic Seconds who beat Barton Athletic 5-nil with goals from Ben Hill, Kai Stocker, Christian Williams, Daniel Martin and super-sub Lloyd Hitchins.

In the Premier Division of the Torbay Clearance Services League, it looks like it is now Ilsington Villa’s title to lose; a 2-nil home win against their nearest rivals Morley Rangers, thanks to goals from Jack Dixon and Matt Warman, leaves them with 7 games to play and they would have to lose 3 of them to be caught. The other massive scoreline from this division was between the bottom two teams and it was Brixham AFC Reserves who have given themselves some hope with a fine 5 – 1 home win versus WBB; with 5 games left to play, the two teams just above them, East Allington and Chudleigh, need another 2 wins to be safe.

In Division One, Paignton Saints and Ivybridge Town Reserves continue to thunder on and are both now 8 points clear of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves who have a lot of midweek games to fit in during the next 6 weeks. Saints won 3-nil against Totnes and Dartington, who are now out of the promotion race, and Ivybridge Town had a close game at Watcombe but just got over the line thanks to goals from Joe Truelove and Kyne Sanie; Brixham Town also dropped out of the promotion race; they lost 3 – 1 at Harbertonford who are probably safe from relegation with this win; Sebastian Looker and Jason Wilkes were on target for the Fords.

Division Two has been a fascinating competition and as it stands only Barton Athletic in fifth cannot go up or down; every other team in the top four can get promotion and the bottom 5 could be relegated; Bovey Tracey remain favourites with games in hand, but pre-season favourites Paignton Saints Seconds, with just 4 games to play, need to win them all and hope that Newton Spurs Thirds slip up. East Allington United Seconds are in third place and face Bovey Tracey Reserves next in the league.

In Division Three, there were wins for Stoke Gabriel TP and South Brent that keeps them in mid table, but both could squeeze into a promotion spot. Stoke beat Kingsbridge and Kellaton for the second time in 7 days; a Daniel Trezeze hat trick and singles from Adam Blackburn and Paul Christie completed the rout, and South Brent, who lost in midweek, just got the better of Newton Abbot ’66 reserves with a 1-nil home victory. Brent are 6 points off the top two and have 2 games in hand. Elsewhere in this division, Teign Village got a much-needed win in their trip to the seaside; 3 – 2 was the final score at Paignton Saints Thirds.

As Division Four’s top three were on cup duty, Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds and Elburton Villa Thirds took full advantage and moved into a position ready to pounce. The Rams were comfortable 3 – 1 home victors versus Paignton Villa Thirds; Samual Arthurs scored twice and an own goal helped them into fourth place with 7 games to play; Elburton Villa moved into fifth place, just 3 points off a promotion spot with 2 games in hand; it’s definitely hotting up with 6 weeks for teams to get their outstanding games played.

Games to catch this week include the second South Devon League Cup final of the season which is the Les Bishop Cup final. This is the knockout competition for teams in Division Four. Liverton Utd Seconds will play Chudleigh Athletic Seconds at Buckfastleigh on Friday 19th April with a 7.30pm K.O.

On Saturday 20th April, my game of the day is at Broadpark where Premier Division champions Kingsteignton Athletic take on Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves from Division One for a place in the Herald Cup semi-final; get there early !!! Also playing in their league cup, Watcombe Wanderers Seconds welcome Liverton Utd first team to Long Lane for a game that could go to the wire, but a cup final is the prize. Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds are also in cup action at their chosen home ground Chuley Road, Ashburton, where Paignton Saints Seconds will be looking to add to the silverware already collected.