BATTLING PERFORMANCE: Division Two SDT Police Reserves put up a good fight, but it’s the Premier side who go through. © Paul Mirfin
The Windmill FC are aiming to become the first Plymouth team ever to lift the prestigious Torbay Clearance Services Herald Cup, after Lee France’s men saw off a brave challenge from Division Two side Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Reserves in last Wednesday’s semi-final at The Rec.
Both teams started well, but it was The Windmill who took the lead through centre-half Mike Cornew. Ash Walker played a great ball through to Andrew Crowmac, who squared it to Cornew who fired home to make it 1-0 just before half-time.
After their half-time team talk, the Windmill emerged determined to extend their lead.
“They probably played the best football they’ve played all season,” said France. “We played them off the park, and showed them we were the Premier side.”
First, Andrew Crowmac slotted through captain Mike Neal who scored from about ten yards, across the ‘keeper and into the corner. Pressing Stoke straight from the restart, the Windmill got the ball back quickly and put together a string of fast passes. Crowmac switched the ball from right to left for Carlton Allen to chest down the ball for Ash Walker to score a half volley.
“It was a really good goal actually,” said France. ” I wish everyone had been there to see it, because it was probably one of the best footballing goals of the season.”
SGT Police then got on top as the game reached its final stages. “We tried defending for the last 15 minutes where they came into the game and finally got their goal, which was deserved,” said France. “It was a good finish. He was one-on-one, smashed it across the ‘keeper, and it hit both posts and went in.”
The Windmill will play either Kingsteignton Athletic or Ilsington Villa in the final, with those sides facing off this Wednesday night, again at the Rec (7pm KO).
Should the Rams make it through, there will be added interest for one member of France’s family.
“My uncle, Dave Gaylard, played for Kingsteignton when they won it,” he explained. “He will be at the cup final, especially if it’s his old team, because he will see some familiar faces. He was telling me the other night that he’s got a winners’ medal, so he will show it to me if we don’t win one.
“My grandad, Mike Gaylard, used to run Woodlands, a really good Plymouth side back in the day. He won the treble – the Devon Cup, the Plymouth league and our league cup – in 1972. When I repeated the treble in 2018, my grandad wasn’t very happy about that. I’m just trying to break records in the family at the moment.”
Although the Herald Cup, which is approaching its centenary year, isn’t quite as well-known in Plymouth as it is in South Devon, France can relate to its importance.
“The P&D have the Premier Cup, which is exactly the same thing. It’s open to all the divisions,” he said. “Windmill has got to two finals but has never won the Premier, so it is a big deal for us to be in the Herald Cup final. We want our name on that trophy to put down a statement that we’re here to win trophies. We’re not here to mess around. We were gutted when we lost to Newton ‘66 in the Premier Division cup.
“We were unlucky not to win the Throgmorton Champions Cup at the start of the season, where we represented South Devon. We wanted to win it for both ourselves and South Devon, but we lost to Lapford, a Plymouth side, in the final.
“I had COVID, so I was sat at home screaming at the TV. Obviously we weren’t good enough, because we had so many boys out injured and through COVID. We lost 1-0, unfortunately, to a set piece.
Despite being ten points off the top, with four games remaining, France hasn’t yet given up hope of a top two finish in the league either, a result that could see them promoted to the Devon Football League.
“We’ve just signed a contract with Argyle to use their facilities, so we can meet the standard of that level,” revealed France. “Mount Gould v Windmill is probably the biggest rivalry in local Plymouth football, and the boys want the challenge of going there next season and maybe popping the league off them. But we’ve got to go up there with a good side first, and we’ve got to get in.
“I think the rule was that we had to finish in the top two of the SDFL, so we’ve got some work to do really. But we know that if Buckfastleigh drop points, and we beat them next week, then we’re right in it. Obviously, it’s in Buckfastleigh’s hands, but they have tough fixtures. We’re not pulling out of the league yet, not quite. Not while we can mathematically still win it. We know we’re in five cup finals, starting with Salcombe.”
France’s men duly won their home game with Salcombe 5-0, Crowmac with a brace and
Joe Ackerlay, Rhys Walton and Andy Parker all on target. But the other Torbay Clearance Services SDFL Premier Division game saw Buckfastleigh edge closer to the title by beating Watts Blake Bearne 5-2 at the Duckspond. Joshua Zimmerman doubled up for Rangers, with Luke Brown, Tom Moody and Charlie Morgan completing the scoring; Kieran Heale and Sam Stowell hit back for WBB.
Elsewhere, East Allington United and Newton Abbot ’66 made it through to the George Belli Cup final. Ben Bowhay struck twice for the Pirates as they beat Elburton Villa Reserves 4-2 at Poole Lane. Fin Bullen and Rob Tapper also found the net for the hosts, with Billy Tedder-Hart and Scott Allen on target for Elburton. Keran Fletcher and Jordan Pidwell scored for Newton ’66 as they narrowly ousted Ivybridge Town Reserves 2-1 at Erme Valley.
The first of the divisional cup finals will take place this Thursday evening, at Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police (7pm). The Ronald Cup, sponsored by Bettesworths Estate & Business Agents, is a repeat of last season’s tournament final between Brixham Town and Totnes and Dartington. Brixham made the final after Bishopsteignton United failed to raise a side for Saturday’s semi-final fixture.
In Division One, Paignton Saints Reserves look set for an imminent take over at the top following a home walkover against Buckfastleigh Rangers. Saints are now just a point behind Waldon Athletic who lost out 4-1 at home to Kingsteignton Athletic, who are also well-placed for a late title challenge. Ashley Dove scored twice for the Rams, Mark Voisey put away his 15th goal of the season, and Sam Barnes also notched. Lewis Eaton found a consolation for the Clarets.
Chudleigh Athletic are in third place after their sixth league win in a row, Matthew Briant’s goal enough to clinch the points at home to Upton Athletic. Goals from Harry Atkinson and Richard Malone saw Paignton Villa celebrate a decent home win over Beesands Rovers, Adam Winkworth scoring for the Bees.
Babbacombe Corinthians secured a top three finish in Division Two as they beat Ipplepen Athletic Reserves 3-2 away. Corries move level on points with Ilsington Villa, but Villa have five games in hand. A seven goal derby thriller went the way of Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds who beat Newton Rovers 4-3 at The Rec.
Jack Wilkinson and Ash Beetschen scored two apiece for bottom team Paignton Villa Reserves who stormed to a 6-0 victory at Barton Athletic Reserves. Jack Harman and Charlie Thomas also scored.
In Division Three, Jonathan Clyne bagged a brace in Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves’ 5-4 home win over Paignton Saints Thirds. Scott Troth also scored twice as Totnes and Dartington moved three points clear of opponents Teign Village with a 4-1 home win. Bradley Spriggs and Connor Rowbotham also scored for Tots, with Mike Turner scoring his 15th of the season for the Quarrymen.
Goals from Matthew Churchill and Christian Fleet secured Bovey Tracey Reserves a place in the Les Bishop Cup final, sponsored by Torre Trophies, on 7th May. The Moorlanders beat Ivybridge Town Development 2-1 away, with Harley Battle netting for the Ivies.
The Division Four title is still Waldon Athletic Reserves’ to lose, after the Clarets rattled in eight without reply at Newton Rovers Reserves. Sean Finch scored twice, with Waldon’s other goals coming from Bailey Clarke, Shane Essam, Lee Henriques, Stephen Rohan, Adam Townsend and Shane Roberts.
Oliver Teague and Gavin Lake traded doubles as Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves drew 2-2 with Watcombe Wanderers Thirds.