Tag: paignton saints

Saints and Broads serve up a Christmas feast on fair play Friday

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 20th DEC, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Watts Blake Bearne contributed by SDFL

Was this really a game between two of the bottom three teams in Division Four? The pace and quality of the play had many of the 100 plus supporters scratching their heads for answers.

It took just two minutes for Saints to get the opening goal from Keiron Seatherton who went on to get the Man of the Match award, but they could only hold on to that lead for nine minutes until the other contender for Man of the Match, Dan Wells, equalised with a goal that would grace any fixture in any division. Saints were under a lot of pressure, and their full-backs were not up to speed with Broads’ Ben Muller, and just four minutes after, they drew level; Muller ran past three defenders and pulled the ball back to the edge of the box, where Dan Wells side-footed a curling shot into the top right-hand corner, and both sets of supporters could do nothing else but applaud the finish. With just 12 minutes on the clock, and the score already at 2-1, it was turning into a great game. With play end-to-end and and two more Saints goals from Keiron Seatherton and Darren Millea and, in first-half stoppage time, yet another equaliser from Stuart Hanney sent the supporters for a welcome hot chocolate, and at 3-3, all the talk in the clubhouse was about the quality of the goals, and it had the writer checking to see if his pre-match prediction of 6-6 was actually on his super six selection.

The dynamic of the game seem to change in the second half as Saints were clearly more used to playing on a 3g pitch, and the legs of the Broads players seemed to be getting heavy, and one or two challenges were either too early or too late depending on your speed. but the referee kept good control and did not need to show any cards to either of the two best teams on the discipline charts. Then came a managerial masterclass from Saints when Dylan Cousins was introduced from the bench and he not only upped the pace of the game for Saints, but went on to score two great goals to seal the win 5-3 for the home team in what was a night to remember for both outfits. The result puts Saints one of three teams on nine points, and whilst still third from bottom, they are the second highest goal scorers in the division. At the other end, they are the league’s highest conceders of goals having let in 58 which is 22 more than Broadhempston United who remain second from bottom, two points behind Saints but with four games in hand. Just one other stat is that Saints only have eight league games remaining to finish the season.

The only other league game played was in Division One where Watts Blake Bearne (pictured) climbed onto the top of the table for Christmas with a well-earned 4-nil win at Bovey Tracey Reserves; Jake Cuff, Cam Gill, Ashton Sowerby and Fraser Hossack were all on target for the Claymen who were good value for the win. Bovey lost their goalkeeper in the 51st minute with a red card following a moment of madness which gave them a mountain to climb. Bovey remain in fifth place. seven points off the lead but with three games in hand, and Wattsies leapfrog Brixham Town and Paignton Villa to lead the division by one point going into the Christmas break. This remains a very competitive division with eight teams still in the mix to gain promotion to the Premier Division

The second round of the Herald Cup has thrown up some great ties that will be fixtured for 3rd January with a 2pm kick off.

  • Newton Rovers (Div 2) v Ilsington Villa (Premier)
  • Ashburton (Div 2) v Bere Alston United (Div 4)
  • Paignton Saints (Premier) v Babbacombe Corries (Div 2)
  • WBB (Div 1) v Signal Box Oak Villa (Div 2)
  • Bovey Tracey Reserves (Div 1) v Paignton Villa (Div 1)
  • Kingsteignton Athletic (Premier) v East Allington United (Premier)
  • Buckland Athletic Reserves (Div 1) v Galmpton United (Div 3)
  • Kingsbridge/Kellaton (Div 4) v Ivybridge Town Reserves (Div 2)
  • Newton Abbot ’66 (Premier) v Chudleigh Athletic (Premier)
  • Broadhempston United (Div 4) v Windmill (Premier)
  • Barton Athletic (Div 1) v Lakeside Athletic (Premier)
  • Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves (Premier) v Teign Village (Div 4)
  • Ipplepen Athletic Reserves (Div 3) v Upton Athletic (Div 2)
  • Plymouth True Blues (Premier) v Stoke Gabriel TP (Div 3)
  • Harbertonford (Div 2) v Elburton Villa Reserves (Div 1)
  • South Brent (Div 3) v Buckfastleigh Rangers (Premier)

Enjoy your grassroots cup football.

the windmill dartmouth cup winners 2025

Signal Box score 17 in one of three games to survive the rain

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 6th DEC, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of The Windmill contributed by SDFL

Only three games survived another Friday downpour with the league issuing a wet weather protocol for the third time in six weeks.

In the Premier Division, Paignton Saints had a great result against East Allington United on the 3g at Coach Road (full report and photos available on Daves World) A 3-nil win, with goals from Cairo Broadway, Billy Reay and Brandon Kelly, moves Saints into fourth place and just three points off second place. A disappointing afternoon for the in form Pirates who remain in fifth place with the same points tally as Saints.

In Division Two, Upton Athletic travelled to the Manadon 3g to face an unforgiving Signal Box Oak Villa team looking to stay in pole position. The visitors travelled with the bare eleven and were reduced to ten early in the game through injury, and the home team went on to score every five minutes ending up with 17 on the score card. There were ten different scorers, but Callum Austin, Jordan Rickards and Finley Comerford scored hat tricks. The result puts Signal Box five points clear of Corries who have two games in hand. Upton remain bottom of the table, but fair play to them for travelling and doing their best in squalid conditions.

Division Four was able to offer Paignton Villa Thirds the chance to welcome Kingsbridge and Kellaton United to South Devon College in what was a game dominated by the wind. Villa secured their third win of the campaign with a fine 6-2 victory over the visitors from the South Hams; goals from Martin McHugh, two from Stuart McCauley and a hat-trick for Tom Bintcliffe leapfrogs Villa above the visitors into sixth place and just five points from second with a game in hand.

Another blank week will have many teams wondering when these games will be played and how many mid-week games will there be in April and May. Well, there are still 23 playing Saturdays until the end of the season, so if we look at the best and worst case scenario in each division to make it clearer: Premier – three teams have only played six games so have 16 still to play. If they do well in the cups, that could add another six games to the list, therefore it is possible that some may not need to rely on mid-week games. It also means that the division could probably take another five wet Saturdays until we need to have a closer look at the calendar. The best case are True Blues who are just one game short of playing half of their fixtures and have 12 league games to play in 23 weeks.

Division One is slightly worse off with three teams still having 17 fixtures to fit into 23 Saturdays. 2 of those teams, Bovey Tracey Reserves and Mount Gould, are likely to have seven or eight cup games as well to manage, so as we stand, those two are fairly sure to be playing mid-week or needing to find another pitch if theirs is not playable. The best placed team is Beesands Rovers who have 13 games left with 23 Saturdays to play them.

Division Two is the best division for games played. Half of the teams have either played half or are one short of playing half, so we don’t see any issues at the moment; only Watcombe Seconds have four more games but plenty of time to fit them into a Saturday.

Division Three is mostly looking fine at the moment with the top four teams having 11 or 12 games to fit in, and as they are the most likely to go further in the cups, they have no need at the moment to be thinking of mid-week games. Only Stoke Gabriel TP have five more games to fit in, but at the moment, this would take them up to 17 Saturdays and leave six free.

Division Four is also fine with seven of the 11 teams ahead of their fixtures, but Waldon Thirds have only played four games and have 16 still to play, and as they are one of two unbeaten teams, a cup run is not out of the question. They may need to switch some games to Windmill Hill to catch up. And whilst I realise that some folk will find this hard to believe, all of the above is subject to mother nature over which the SDFL has no control.

Games to catch (weather permitting) Saturday 13th December

There are some big games to look forward to this Saturday, and our Plymouth-based supporters will be spoilt for choice. Windmill (pictured) take on an Ilsington Villa side looking to get back amongst the front runners. This game is at Millennium Fields with a 2.30 KO, and just across the parkway, Lakeside Athletic meet Newton Abbot ’66 who have already taken three points in the home fixture, so Lakeside will be looking to win this game. True Blues are the other Plymouth based team facing decent opposition, in Kingsteignton Athletic, at Millbay Park also with a 2.30 KO. Whilst the Rams may be at the wrong end of the table, True Blues will know that they can beat any team on their day.

My pick of the day’s fixtures though is also in Plymouth, at Tothill Enclosure, where in Division One, Mount Gould welcome Bovey Tracey in what could well be a rehearsal for a Premier Division game next season. Both teams are going well and have plenty of games in hand to catch the front runners.

In Division Two, its third v fourth at Ivybridge Town Reserves, where Babbacombe Corries are the visitors just two weeks after winning the home game 8-1, so the Ivies will be looking for a better outcome at Erme Valley if the water stays in the river.

There is an attractive tie at Broadpark in Division Three, where Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds host a good footballing side in Galmpton United who could do with a few dry days to let them show their skills. but the current wet period could suit the home team.

The big game in Division Four is first v third at Kate Brook where Chudleigh Athletic Reserves face local rivals Teign Village in a no holds barred fixture, where a win for the home team could open up an 11 point gap at the top.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

ilsington villa sdfl premier division 2025

Villa edge St Martins as five SDFL clubs make it to Round Two of the Premier Cup.

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 6th SEP, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Ilsington Villa contributed by SDFL

The opening day fixtures were reduced to just 16 games to allow the County Cups to start. The games that SDFL teams were involved in produced 143 goals, plenty of talking points and a few shock results.

There were some disappointed teams this week who received a bye in the county cups but were not able to arrange a league fixture on the opening day of the season due to a number of reasons. In fact, no Premier Division games were played at all, and only three Division One games went ahead, but each of them involved a team that was either promoted from Division Two or relegated from the top division.

Beesands Rovers, fresh out of the Premier Division, set out their stall on opening day with a 3-1 victory at WBB. A double strike from Jack Eades was enough for the Bees to take three points on the opening day back to the South Hams. But it’s Paignton Villa who top the table after week one with a 5-2 win at newly promoted Barton Athletic, with five goals from five different players: Tom Evans, Tom Meyer, Charlie Thomas, Suliman Yaha and Ashlie Salmon all found the back of the net and forced the Villa supporters to be taking screenshots of the league table. The team that came up with Barton from Division Two, Liverton United, had a more fruitful start to the season with a hard earned 5-4 victory, at Halford, versus Brixham Town. Jack Shelton set Livvy on their way, but a hat-trick for last season’s golden boot winner Jamie Passmore sealed the deal for the home team. Graham Mercieca also got on the score-sheet in what was an entertaining game.

In Division Two, all eyes were on Long Lane where Watcombe Wanderers Seconds were going to be the first team to face last season’s Plymouth and District champions, and they not only faced them, they beat them by 5 goals to 2 thanks to a single Cam Kelly strike and an impressive four goals for Jamie Orchard in what was a great way for the Greens to get their season off to a flyer. Harbertonford, who very nearly went out of business during the summer, also got their season off to a positive start with a 5-3 victory against East Allington Utd Seconds; single strikes from Billy Bright and Keiron Hanson were surpassed by a hat-trick from George Condon to give Fords their first opening day win for three seasons. Newly promoted Drake FC took the points on opening day from their fixture against Paignton Saints Seconds, at Coach Road; a narrow 2-1 win was enough for the Plymouth-based team to enjoy the journey home. The final victors in Division Two were Ivybridge Town Reserves who won 1-nil at White Rock against Paignton Villa Seconds; following two relegations in a row, no doubt they will be delighted to get their season off to a good start and have something to build on. Villa will be disappointed not to find a goal, especially as they were a new set of goalposts; perhaps Kevin will get the old ones back out next week.

Division Three is tipped to be anybody’s division, and newly promoted Templer Way came a cropper at home against Liverton United Seconds who won 6-2 with goals from Oliver West and Simon Ross before Kye Graham helped himself to four goals. Chris Bennett and Brad Breslan were on target for the Bishopsteignton-based team who will reset and probably win more than they lose during the course of the season. Kingskerswell have not forgotten how to win: a 3-2 victory versus a young Kingsteignton Athletic Second side who made the more experienced team work for the points, and it may just be ‘Kerswell who have to call on some reinforcements to continue their rise. Stoke Gabriel TP just got the better of a Newton Abbot ’66 Second team that don’t lose many games during the course of a season; Daniel Triseze, Adam Blackburn and Elliot Osman were on target for the Bees in a 3-2 win that sets them off and running in what will be a tough campaign. South Brent were the other team that made a positive start to their season: a 1-nil home win against a young Ipplepen Athletic Second team, thanks to a single strike by Taylor Kasitz, was a tonic for Brent who, for the past few seasons, have got behind with fixtures and, like a lot of clubs, have worked hard behind the scenes to keep a team in the town going, so well done to all at South Brent. The other game that was played in this division was fortunate to have an experienced referee in charge. Galmpton United, playing their first game back in the SDFL for three seasons, drew the game against Waldon Athletic Seconds 2-2, but they finished the game with ten players, and Waldon Athletic, who had 4 yellow cards, have come close to a county misconduct charge, so an expensive first day of the season for both clubs who have a point each on the league table.

Bere Alston United Seconds, the new boys in Division Four, got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over a stubborn Newton Rovers reserve team; goals from Adam Daymond and Joshua Hewes did the trick for the team that were playing in an under-16 league last season. Chudleigh Athletic Seconds top the division following a 9-1 thumping of Paignton Saints Thirds, and they will be looking to go one better this season after just losing out on promotion last term. Teign Village, who finished in third place last season, have also set out their stall for the new season with a 6-3 victory over Kingsbridge and Kellaton United. Whilst the visitors went home empty handed, they will be pleased to get one of their longest trips out of the way on the opening day. Elliot Glasser scored a brace in the final game to be played in Division Four at Cricketfield Road, where Waldon Athletic Thirds and Barton Athletic Seconds fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw in front of a decent crowd that preferred grassroots to Plainmoor and saved themselves £20 in the process.

The County Cups got underway this week, and there are high expectations for some of the SDFL teams to go all the way in all three adult competitions. Safely through to Round Two in the Premier Cup are Ilsington Villa, who beat St Martins (Exeter) 3-2; Newton Abbot ’66, who won on penalties versus Budleigh Salterton (Step 7); Chudleigh Athletic, who won 2-1 at Torridgeside Reserves (North Devon) and Paignton Saints, 5-1 winners at Totnes & Dartington.

In the Senior Cup, Elburton Villa Reserves and Mount Gould progressed comfortably, but Bovey Tracey Reserves made the long trip to Merton and scored 12 goals without reply.

In the Intermediate Cup, Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds also made it into the hat with a 3-1 win over Paignton Villa Thirds. The remainder of the first round ties are being played over the next two weeks, although there have been a large number of byes.

Games to catch on Saturday 13th September:

The standout fixture in the top division will be at Osborne Park where Newton Abbot ’66 face Lakeside Athletic in what will be a Premier Division christening for the Plymouth-based team against a Sixes side that are difficult to beat. In Division One, Elburton Villa Reserves welcome Beesands Rovers to Haye Road for a fixture that last season was played as a Premier Division game, and one of the pre-season favorites Bovey Tracey open with a home game versus Watcombe Wanderers. In Division Two, all eyes will be on Manadon Sports Centre where new boys Signal Box will be looking for an immediate improvement after losing their opening game. They are at home to Newton Rovers, and Ashburton, who enjoyed a promotion season last time out, face an East Allington United Second team who came very close to promotion themselves last season but lost on the opening day; this should be a good game to watch. Game of the day in Division Three is at Michael’s Field where Templer Way welcome Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds who will be no pushovers, and both will be looking to get points on the board after suffering defeat last week. Last season’s Division Four champions, with a 100% record, Kingskerswell travel to relegated Ipplepen Athletic Reserves who have made some interesting signings during the summer and, depending on when they are due at university, they could have a bearing on the outcome and that record. If you are looking for a game in Torquay, then look no further than Cricketfield Road where a very young Bere Alston United team will face Waldon Athletic Thirds in the game of the day in Division Four.

All fixtures are available on the league’s full time website, and they all KO at 2.30pm. With Torquay United and Argyle playing away from home, get out and support your grassroots football team!

kingsteignton athletic herald cup semi finalists 2025

Spurs Stay on Course for the Double

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 29th MARCH, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Kingsteignton Athletic, who drew 4-4 with East Allington this week, contributed by SDFL

The game of the day in the Premier Division George Belli Cup went the distance in the favour of Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves who edged out the current champions Ilsington Villa in a pulsating cup tie that needed extra time; 3 – 1 was the final score with goals from Jack Upshire, Luis Green and Lewis Jordain-Garner seeing Spurs into their first cup final since joining the league following a stint in the football pyramid. They will be joined in the final by Totnes and Dartington who, on the day, were too good for a weakened Paignton Saints side who made hard work of their afternoon. A 2 – 1 victory, thanks to goals from Ryan Walton and James Blackshaw, was more than enough to put Tots in the top division cup final on the 15th May, also for the first time since rejoining the competition from the football pyramid.

In the Premier Division, with two of the top three on cup duty, Newton Abbot ’66 had the chance to close the gap to just 3 points at home to bottom side Beesands Rovers but they got well and truly stung by the Bees: a 3 – 1 win for the South Hams team moves them off the bottom and gives them real hope of a great escape; strikes from Alfie Prowse, Jack Eades and Alex Smith has put a dent in the ambitions of ’66 and, following this latest defeat, Ilsington Villa only need one more victory to make sure that Sixes cannot catch them. In the other relegation fixture, Chudleigh Athletic and Elburton Villa Seconds shared 6 goals in a very entertaining game where a draw was a fair result, but not one either team wanted, and leaves them both teetering with Division One next season. East Allington United and Kingsteignton Athletic also ended with four goals being shared, and with a point apiece, both would probably be happy with a mid-table berth knowing that anybody can beat anybody in this division. I also would like to give a shout out to Finn Bullen of East Allington United who scored his 137th goal this week in 133 appearances for the Pirates; well done Finn. The final shock result in the Prem was at Windmill Hill where ambitious Waldon Athletic lost 2-nil to Buckfastleigh Rangers who themselves could finish in the top three. The Clarets are now 9 points from fifth place and, whilst they have a few games in hand, they desperately need to find some form.

Two Division One teams served up a classic at Bovey Tracey Reserves where the home team prevented the last standing Plymouth-based team from reaching the jewel in the SDFL cup program. A 3-2 win over promotion rivals Windmill is a great result, and goals from Ben Moyle, Ryan Stanbridge and Ben Goble sets up a Herald Cup semi-final against Kingsteignton Athletic on Tuesday 22nd April at Newton Rec with a 7pm kick off.

Plymouth Phoenix continue to be unbeaten and they crushed Buckland Athletic Reserves 11-3 thanks to a double hat-trick by David Moore who set them on their way to their first Dartmouth Cup semi-final since joining the South Devon League from the Plymouth and District competition; they will meet the winners of the Bovey Tracey Reserves v Paignton Villa game that gets played this weekend.

In the league, True Blues continue to be unbeaten after their 7 – 2 home win against a Watcombe Wanderers team who must be looking at the league position and asking how did that happen: they are level on points with Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds, third from bottom, and Paignton Villa together with Brixham Town could pulled back into this relegation scrap, and Villa only have two games to play against six for the other two. WBB have recovered well after their disbanding scare, and they continue to win the games against the teams around them; this week was a character-building exercise having been 2-nil down at the break to Newton Spurs Thirds, who went ahead thanks to Jack Taylor and Domanic Osbourne, Wattsies fought back with three second half goals to take the points and move safely into mid table.

The top of the table game in Division Two drew a big support and ended in a complete reverse of the scoreline when the teams clashed just seven days earlier; this week, it was the turn of Barton Athletic to inflict only the second loss of the season for Mount Gould in a 4-nil win that continues to make this division as open as it has been all season; goals from Zach Norton, Liam Walton, Dom Lavalee and an own goal takes the Torquay side 18 points clear at the top and reduces Mount Gould’s games in hand to nine. Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds had a great result in upsetting promotion contenders East Allington United Seconds by 3 goals to 1; Matt Maller, John Bovey and Isaac Potter were on target for the Rangers who won for only the second time this season, and with only four games to play, they will need to continue the same form to avoid the drop. Elsewhere, second from bottom club Ipplepen Athletic Reserves picked up their third win of the season at Bakers Park in a 4-2 win against Newton Rovers. The win brings them within touching distance of Upton Athletic who did not play. The situation at the top of this division is getting clearer by the week, but it is still between five or six teams: Barton Athletic, Mount Gould, Liverton, Watcombe Seconds and East Allington Seconds could all still finish top, but 2nd and 3rd placed Paignton Villa Reserves and Babbacombe Corries are running out of games with only 4 to play, so it looks like this competition will go to the end of May. In the division’s league cup semi-finals, Liverton United and Paignton Villa Seconds ended in a 2-2 draw and it was Liverton that held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out to progress to the Lidstone Cup final on Friday 25th April where they will meet Watcombe Wanderers Reserves who won 2-nil at Long Lane against Babbacombe Corries.

In Division Three, Drake FC took advantage of leaders Ashburton being on cup duty by leapfrogging them into pole position by beating a good Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves side by 3 goals to 1; Ben Ayre, Louis George and Kacper Gorecki were the points winners at Broadpark. Stoke Gabriel TP moved into 3rd place with a 10-3 demolition at Brixham Town Seconds who will be looking forward to a better season in Division Four; Daniel Tresize (3), Max Prestwood (4) and Adam Blackburn (3) did the damage at JC Park. Elburton Villa Thirds, who could also win this division, continue to be upwardly mobile; a 7-nil thrashing over a decent Liverton United Reserves side, who must have had their minds on an upcoming cup final, keeps Villa in fourth place with six games to play. Two teams in mid-table met at Windmill Hill where Waldon Athletic Seconds and Totnes and Dartington Seconds shared four goals and the points that keeps them both in the safety zone.

With Division Four almost done and dusted, thoughts turned to the Les Bishop league cup semi-finals that were closer than the form book predicted; Paignton Villa Thirds took Kingskerswell all the way in a pulsating game that ‘Kerswell just edged by 3 goals to 2 to reach the final on Thursday 17th April where they will clash with Templer Way who edged out Chudleigh Athletic Reserves by 5 goals to 4 in a game that went to extra-time; and Chudleigh had to play out the game with ten players. It is a credit to both of the finalists who have a different story to tell from making the step from Sunday morning football to disbanding to reforming and most importantly enjoying playing football again; well done to both team.

Games to catch on Saturday 5th April.

As you would expect at this part of the season, there are games to catch that would appear to have more riding on them, but at the end of the day its just another 3 points towards the team objective to win.

My pick of the games this week is at Broadpark where a Kingsteignton Athletic side will be licking their wounds and looking forward to stopping Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves surging towards the top of the table. There is also a tasty local derby at the Millennium Pitches where Windmill come up against an unbeaten True Blues team in the Dartmouth Cup; this is one of two chances for the Rangers boys to get their hands on silverware in their first season in the Torbay Clearance Services League. In Division Two, Liverton United meet East Allington Seconds at Halford in a fixture where both are in the mix for promotion and defeat for either could confirm another season in the same division. And in Division Four, Kingskerswell play their final league game at home to Newton Rovers Seconds where a win for the home team will secure a 100% record in their first season back in the South Devon Football League.

Cup Finals are on the horizon and the first is on Friday 11th April at Newton Rec with a 7pm kick off. Liverton Utd Seconds meet East Allington Utd Seconds in the Fred Hewings Cup. There is limited parking on site, but a full bar and food service will be available.

The following week, we have two fantastic games to offer: first up on Tuesday 15th April, again at Newton Rec, is Herald Cup semi-final number 1. Waldon Athletic versus East Allington United will kick off at 7pm; further details to follow in next week’s issue.

This is followed by the Les Bishop Final on Thursday 17th April; what a way to start your Easter weekend: Templer Way versus Kingskerswell with details to follow next week.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

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.