Tag: the windmill

the windmill dartmouth cup winners 2025

17 games survived a Friday downpour – and between them notched up 85 goals!

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 28th FEB, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of The Windmill contributed by SDFL

Windmill FC (pictured) extended their lead at the top of the Premier Division to four points when they quickly got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over fellow title contenders Newton Abbot ’66, with goals from Brodie Simpson and Louis Godwin. ’66 now find themselves third from bottom but with enough games in hand to move into second place should they pick up maximum points from them.

True Blues were in cup action against Division Two side Ipplepen Athletic Seconds and the Gers boys made easy work of the game by winning 9-1 and progressing to the next round of the Herald Cup. They stay in second place, but Lakeside Athletic completed a Plymouth one-two-three at the top once again, with a fine four-nil win over Paignton Saints, who slip back into mid-table and are one of five teams with a negative goal difference. The result of the day must be awarded to Chudleigh Athletic for their 5-1 win at Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves; George Davidson, Gavin Hammon, Sam Clarke and Hayden Cox did the damage, but both teams are still considered to be title contenders, although Spurs have lost a bit of ground. It is a great result for Chudleigh who remain a very difficult team to beat. In the basement battle, Kingsteignton Athletic put aside their disappointment of going out of the Herald Cup a week ago to beat Buckfastleigh Rangers by two goals to one thanks to goals from Tom Reeves and Matt Elmore that leaves the visitors and Totnes and Dartington adrift at the bottom.

In Division One, Paignton Villa stay in pole position by virtue of a superior goal difference of just one thanks to a 2-1 home win over bottom club Buckland Athletic Reserves in what is a very tight division and about to get a bit tighter at the bottom as Watcombe Wanderers failed to travel to Mount Gould, gifting them three points and likely to lose three points themselves. Watts Blake Bearne were the big movers in this division, up three places to second with a great two-nil win at Brixham Town thanks to goals from Jay Orchard and Ryan Clarke. Town now drop to fourth following another home reverse that could come back to haunt them, but with only five points separating the top six teams, this division will go to the wire. Beesands Rovers moved back into third place with a comfortable 10-nil win at Liverton United. The transfer of Louis Brace from True Blues back to Beesands went through in the morning of the fixture, and it took him just 14 seconds to pay back the transfer fee by putting the Bees in front. Brad Williams completed a hat-trick and Sid Baker, Joe Craig and Alex Watts also found the net. Liverton were reduced to ten players after just ten minutes when Oli Shelton was carried off with an injury, but he was walking again when the food came out.

Division Two is no longer as close as the other divisions as Signal Box Oak Villa moved 13 points clear with a tough 4-2 win at fellow contenders Ashburton. Callum Austin, Joe Haslem and Jordan Rickards were on target for the Plymouth side who now look unstoppable. East Allington United Reserves moved into third place with a close 2-1 victory over Harbertonford, and Paignton Saints Seconds moved up to fifth place with a two-nil win over Newton Rovers.

Galmpton United are the new leaders of Division Three following a thumping 11-1 win over bottom team Waldon Athletic Reserves who are one of three teams level on four points at the bottom. The Greens are now three points clear of Kingskerswell who remain unbeaten in the league, but ‘Kerswell have four games in hand. Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds showed just how much they have improved this season. A 3-3 draw with Stoke Gabriel TP keeps both teams in the lower part of mid-table and safe from the drop. However, SGTP will be hoping to put their games in hand to good use for a top six finish. In an all-Division Three cup game, Kingsteignton Athletic Seconds made it through to the semi-final of the Fred Hewings Cup with a close 2-1 victory at Totnes and Dartington Seconds. Mark Prowse scored both goals for the Rams who will need to wait for the semi-final draw on 16th March to find out who the opposition will be. Still in the competition, and as a Division One team, Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds are the favourites to lift the trophy. Also through to the semi-final are Barton Athletic Reserves from Division Four. They had a great result thanks to two goals from Alfie Butler that knocked out Division Three side Liverton United Reserves. Simon Ross scored a late consolation for Livvy, but the Blues held out against an experienced team that ran out of steam.

Division Four has a different look at the top as Paignton Villa Thirds moved into second place with a 2-1 win at Kingsbridge and Kellaton United. The result breaks up the Chudleigh Athletic Seconds and Teign Village dominance that has been in place since the start of the season. Brixham Town Seconds have moved up to fifth place and are only seven points from second, with three games in hand, thanks to a 4-1 win versus bottom team Newton Rovers Seconds at Bakers Park. The top six could all feature in the promotion race, and down in seventh place, Waldon Athletic Thirds remain unbeaten but have only played five games, which should be a concern for both league and club.

Games to catch on the first Saturday of spring!!

Some cracking games to watch on Saturday 7th March: In the top division, in-form Chudleigh will come face to face with The Windmill at Kate Brook, and there is a Newton Abbot derby at the Rec when Spurs meet ’66, and in the South Hams, East Allington United welcome Ilsington Villa to Poole Lane. In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries face Ashburton at Long Lane, which could be a game that tilts the favourites to finish in the runners-up spot, and in Division Four, its second versus first at White Rock when Paignton Villa Thirds meet Chudleigh Athletic Seconds.

Most of the divisional cups get started this week, and all fixtures are on the league’s full time webpage and in the relevant cup sections of this website.

Enjoy your grassroots football.

the windmill dartmouth cup winners 2025

All Plymouth Final Sees Windmill Victorious

TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 10th MAY, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of Dartmouth Cup winners, The Windmill FC contributed by SDFL

For the first time in the long history of the South Devon Football League, two Plymouth based teams reached the final of the Division One Dartmouth Cup. Plymouth Phoenix versus The Windmill, two teams that have enjoyed an extraordinary season in the league and county cup competitions, met at Buckfastleigh Rangers FC on Friday 9th May in what promised to be a treat for South Devon League followers. But I have to say they made the crowd wait for their treats.

The game started brightly enough with both teams having early moments in front of goal. Just 4 minutes in and David Moore had a header cleared off the line for Phoenix and, at the other end, Jack Briscoe was causing all sorts of problems for the Phoenix defence. But having two teams that are not used to losing had an effect on the game as they both cancelled each other out for a long period of time; Sam Doyle picked up an early yellow card for a poor challenge and in the 42nd minute, the Windmill supporters felt that Carlton Allen was fortunate to stay on the pitch following a challenge on Sam Wells in the Windmill goal, but the referee spoke to his assistant and they both agreed that it was worthy of a yellow card.

The second half was more competitive with both teams opening up for a win, and a few substitutions were made and a few more yellow cards were issued for poor challenges, but what was more noticeable was that Windmill were having the better chances and Phoenix could not deal with Jack Briscoe whilst at the back, Chey Hammond seemed to be covering a lot of ground to keep any Phoenix attacks under control; in the 67th minute, Briscoe had a header hit the underside of the bar and bounce on the line and just 2 minutes later, he had a blistering shot that went just over the bar, and Windmill were definitely knocking at the door. On 71 minutes, another Windmill attack came to nothing but as the Phoenix skipper tried to control the ball, it bounced up and hit his arm that was outstretched and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Louis Godwin who put the ball straight down the middle, and the Phoenix ‘keeper could do nothing to stop it. 1-nil Windmill. At this point, Phoenix threw everything at the game; Ashley White hit the bar from a free-kick, Jamie Grindrod got himself sent off for throwing the ball at somebody in the dug out, out of frustration, and at the other end with time running out, Jack Biscoe got his reward when he chipped the ‘keeper from close range to make it 2-nil to Windmill and ensure that it would be Glynn, Kevin and Cora that were taking the Dartmouth Cup back down the A38.

chey hammond the windmill dartmouth cup winners 2025

The sponsors for the Dartmouth Cup are Francis Clark Accountants, and they judged that the Windmill skipper Chey Hammond (pictured) was the man of the match and presented him with a commemorative glass.

In the Premier Division midweek games, Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves once again called on their resources, as did their opponents Waldon Athletic, but the Torquay side were off the pace and still suffering a Herald Cup hangover as Spurs took another step towards being crowned champions. Toby Pullman scored 4 of the 9 goals that puts Spurs 5 points behind Ilsington Villa with 2 games in hand.

Move forward to Friday 9th May and Newton Abbot Spurs are back in action again, this time against relegation threatened Chudleigh Athletic who were no match for the now favourites to become the SDFL champions for the first time in the history of the club’s 2nd team; a 5 – 1 victory, thanks to goals from Toby Pullman, Callum Noyce and Jack Upshire, leaves them with 2 games to win against Waldon Athletic and Totnes and Dartington. Meanwhile, Chudleigh only have 1 game to play, also against Waldon, where they need a win to give themselves a chance of retaining Premier Division status.

Ilsington Villa remain in pole position after their final game of the season, but Beesands Rovers will be mightily proud of holding the Moorlanders to a 2-2 draw at Loddiswell in the sunshine; Ilsington led twice but could not hold on to either lead; Jack Eades equalized from the spot in the first half and Adam Winkworth scored in the dying seconds to earn a point for the Bees. It looks like Beesands are still going to need a win from playing East Allington or Kingsteignton; that is depending on the outcome of the Waldon v Chudleigh game.

East Allington United must be wishing they could go back to the future with their their end of season form having only lost one of their last eight games; this week’s 4-1 victory over Totnes and Dartington sees the Pirates up to fifth place and a top four place is a possibility for this team who at Easter were 2 points off a relegation spot; there must be something in the water, or it’s Geraldine’s after game biscuits that has helped the team.

In Division One, the games are coming thick and fast for Phoenix who made the long trek to Brixham Town on Tuesday and came away with a 7-1 win thanks to 4 more goals for David Moore’s season tally of 36 so far. Phoenix are 6 points behind True Blues with 3 games in hand. In fact, Phoenix still have 5 games to play in the last two weeks of the season, and 2 of them are against True Blues.

Brixham Town closed out their season with a trip to face Bovey Tracey Reserves, and it ended with a disappointing 4-1 defeat for the Fishermen; on the flip side, Bovey are cemented in fourth place and could nick third if The Windmill slip up, and they both meet on the last day of the season. On target for Bovey were Ben Moyle, Ryan Stanbridge, and a worldy from Christian Fleet was the highlight of the afternoon.

The gap at the top of Division Two that Mount Gould have been working away at over the past few weeks is now down to 3 points; their midweek outing at Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds resulted in a 7-nil win helped by a Joshua Bance hat trick, and they are looking go joint top with a win at Watcombe Wanderers Seconds at the weekend which is exactly what happened; the 7-nil scoreline, thanks to 4 goals from Nathen Lang and a couple from Jack Trigger, was enough to put the Mounties top on goal difference, a point away from the formality of being crowned Division Two champions on their journey back to the football pyramid. The only other game in this division was at Halford where Liverton United had another good win; a 5-3 scoreline leaves them needing just two points to guarantee that spot; only East Allington Seconds, Paignton Saints Seconds and Watcombe Seconds can also finish third in what has been a great competition, but congratulations are due to Mount Gould and Barton Athletic who will be playing in Division One next term.

The top of the table game in Division Three was at Ashburton where they welcomed the only team that can beat them to the title in Elburton Villa Thirds. In a game that was a credit to this division, the visitors ran out 4-2 winners and the Ashes will have to wait another week until they visit Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds to get the win that is needed to clinch the division title. Elburton return to Plymouth with the points that take them to within one point of the runners-up spot should Ashes win at ’66. Should that not happen, then Villa can take the title with a win at South Brent and Paignton Saints Thirds. Now is probably not a good moment to mention that a league officer was at the Ashburton game with the Division Three trophy for presentation; perhaps he will stay away from the ’66 game!! Three other games were played in this division, and Liverton United Seconds made the trip to Brixham Town Seconds, and came away with a 3-1 victory; South Brent, who still have five games to play in the next 14 days, will have been disappointed to lose 1-nil at home to Stoke Gabriel TP, and Newton Abbot ’66 Seconds, who have had a really good season, beat Paignton Saints Thirds by 4 goals to 1; Macualey Kerr, Alfie Luscombe and Russell Ellis were on target for Sixes.

With just two weeks of the grassroots season left, it should be noted that only one of the South Devon Football League’s five divisions has a confirmed champion and runner-up, That is, of course, Division Four where Kingskerswell won the title with an unbeaten season and Templer Way finished second in their first season in Saturday football.

The Premier Division will be won by Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds or Ilsington Villa; the relegation spots will be Elburton Villa Reserves plus Beesands Rovers or Chudleigh Athletic.

Division One will be won by Phoenix or True Blues; runners-up will be either of them plus Windmill. The relegation spots will be Ivybridge Town Reserves plus Watcombe Wanderers, Paignton Villa or Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds.

Division Two will be won by Mount Gould, unless they concede 27 goals in their last three games, and runners-up will be Barton Athletic. The relegation spots will be Buckfastleigh Rangers Seconds and Ipplepen Athletic Seconds.

Division Three will be won by Ashburton or Elburton Villa Thirds. Drake FC could get runners-up if Elburton lose their last two games. The relegation spots will be Brixham Town Seconds and Paignton Saints Thirds.

I can tell you that the league management committee are delighted with how good the competition has been this season, and to have only one confirmed champion with 14 days of the season left would have been on all of their wish lists.

Games to catch this week:

The Premier Division George Belli Cup Final between Totnes and Dartington and Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds will be played on Thursday 15th May at Liverton United with a 7pm KO.

Spurs are still in the hunt for a league and cup double and start the game as favourites as they won their only league encounter 5-nil; they still have to play again in the league at the Rec. But Tots have had some good scorelines in their promotion season and having knocked out Waldon and Paignton Saints en route to the final, plus knowing that Spurs cannot use squad players, will boost their confidence of crowning off a good season. There is plenty of parking at Dartington and a full bar and food service will be available alongside Pauline’s famous pasties.

Enjoy your final two weeks of grassroots football.