PLUCKY ROBINS: Broadhempston come close to snatching a point but Paignton Saints Thirds hold on for a deserved win. © Al Macphee/MiraclePR
Torbay Clearance Services Division One outfit Kingsteignton Athletic moved a step closer to a second successive Herald Cup final with a 5-2 home win over Premier Division Buckfastleigh Rangers.
The Rams lost out to Buckland Athletic Reserves in 2019, with the prestigious competition then shelved, due to COVID, for the following two years. But four goals from Mark Voisey secured their quarter-final place, and Lewis Plackett joined him on the score-sheet. Rangers’ consolation goals came from Steve Sutton and substitute Ben Harnett-Davies.
East Allington United, Herald Cup winners in both 2017 and 2018, were eliminated by The Windmill at Poole Lane. Ben Bowhay and Rhys Walton traded goals in the first half before Ashley Walker scored a second half winner for the Plymouth side.
Ilsington Villa cruised into the last eight with an 11-2 triumph at fellow Division Two side Ipplepen Athletic Reserves. George Harris led the charge with a hat-trick while Jack Langford and Matt Warman managed two apiece. There was just the one goal for Dan Langford this week, and Jamie Beer, Jack Dixon and sub Hayden Binmore also found the net.
Paignton Saints Reserves ended Bovey Tracey Reserves’ cup run with a 1-0 win at the Western Counties Roofing Ground. Jake Powell scored the decisive goal in the first half.
Matthew Waye is becoming something of a cup hero for Division Two side Torquay Town. He scored the only goal of the game at Barton Cricket Club to dispatch Premier Division Ivybridge Town Reserves.
Watts Blake Bearne, who last won the Herald Cup back in 2010, made the last eight without kicking a ball, because Harbertonford were unable to raise a side.
The remaining quarter-final place will go to either league leaders Brixham AFC Reserves or Division Two side Newton Rovers. They are due to lock horns at Wall Park this Saturday.
The Herald Cup is kindly sponsored by Torbay Clearance Services, and the final is due to be played on 20th May at The Rec, Newton Abbot
Brixham should be in good spirits for their cup tie. Following the previous week’s extra-time George Belli Cup defeat at the hands of Elburton Villa Reserves, the Fishermen returned to Haye Road last Saturday and collected a valuable three league points. Mitchell Thomas put away a hat-trick and top scorer Mark Griffiths also netted in a 4-1 win. Brixham now lead the division by five points, but both Buckfastleigh and Elburton have two games in hand.
The Premier division’s leading goalscorer, Salcombe Town’s Ash Yeoman, added another to his tally at Osborne Park. But Jordan Pidwell’s strike earned Newton Abbot ’66 a share of the spoils, denting The Crabs’ title chances.
Daniel Block scored five goals for Meadowbrook Athletic in their 7-1 home win over bottom team Barton Athletic. Liam Collings managed a brace with Michael Ventre on target for Barton..
Waldon Athletic celebrated an important 2-1 win at Beesands Rovers in Division One, climbing to second place. Paignton Villa enjoyed a second win and clean sheet in a row as they put five past Kingskerswell and Chelston. Harry Atkinson and Alfie Lloyds scored two apiece with Samuel Woodcock also netting.
Two Charlie Rowe goals were not enough for bottom team Upton Athletic as they lost out 3-2 at home to Chudleigh Athletic. Aidan Brown, Jack Morrison and Matthew Williams scored Chudleigh’s goals.
Babbacombe Corinthians moved back up to third in Division Two, Curtis Marshall scoring four times in a 10-0 drubbing of Dartmouth AFC Reserves. William Kerslake scored twice for Corries with Ryan Mellish, Lee McArthur, Callum Leeds and Sam Swann also contributing.
Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds took a first minute lead and went two up against visiting Barton Athletic Reserves. But a superb strike just before the break got Barton back into the game, and the Torquay side ran out 4-3 winners. SGT Police Reserves enjoyed a 4-1 home win over Watcombe Wanderers Reserves.
Ashley Beetschen was on fire for Paignton Villa Reserves as the Division Two side beat Division Four team Babbacombe Corinthians Reserves 6-2 to make the semi-finals of the Fred Hewings Cup. Craig Brenton scored a hat-trick for Division Four outfit Ivybridge Town Development as they overcame Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves, from Division Three, 7-0. The Ivies are now in two cup semi-finals in their first season!
Division Three sides Watts Blake Bearne Reserves and Chudleigh Athletic Thirds have also made the final four following extra-time wins. WBB were being held 0-0 by Division Four opponents Brixham Town Reserves before goals from Ben Drinkwater and Matt Elmore saw them through. Chudleigh hosted Division One side Buckfastleigh Rangers Reserves and battled out a 3-3 draw in normal time before clinching the game 4-3. Christian Williams scored twice for Chudleigh, with Jack Lee and Alfie Luscombe joining him on the score-sheet. It was an eventful afternoon for Rangers’ Jay Barnard who scored twice and was sent off. Glen Palmer scored Rangers’ other goal.
Totnes and Dartington Reserves increased their chances of a top three finish in Division Three with a superb 4-0 win at Teign Village, their goals supplied by Jordan Baxter, Bradley Spriggs, Nick Warren and Billy Bartlett. Paignton Saints Thirds survived a late scare to claim three points in their home game against winless Broadhempston United. First half goals from Aaron West and Tom Dusgate saw the sides level going into the second half. Matt Micklewright then slotted past the visiting ‘keeper early in the second half and Saints had several chances to extend their lead, including a strong penalty shout, for a foul on Micklewright, which was waved away. But a late spell of pressure from the Robins meant that the Saints will have been happy to have heard the final whistle.
The battle for the Division Four title could go down to the wire. New signing Sean Finch scored twice in the first half for Waldon Athletic Reserves as they beat South Brent 2-1 at Windmill Hill, Jono Ellis pulling one back after the break. The Clarets are now just a point behind Bovey Tracey Reserves with a game in hand.
Mehmet Siren Guloglu’s hat-trick helped Newton Rovers Reserves to a 4-1 home win over bottom club Discoveries Devon. Guney Uven also scored for Rovers with Joshua Browring responding for the visitors.