TORBAY CLEARANCE SERVICES, SOUTH DEVON FOOTBALL LEAGUE. WEEKLY MATCH REPORTS 7th FEB, report by Alastair Muirden. Photo of WBB contributed by SDFL
On a Saturday where the rain reduced the South Devon grassroots football program to just one league game that had a massive effect at the top of division two; one Herald Cup tie that went the distance and two of our teams playing each other for a place in a county cup quarter-final, all played on artificial pitches.
Watts Blake Bearne are this week the toast of the South Devon Football League following a comprehensive 3-nil victory over Paignton Villa in the county Senior Cup at South Devon College (full report on Daves World). Goals from Fraser Hossack, Billy Robbins and Ant Williams have set up a quarter-final tie in Tiverton, where they will face Elmore Seconds who are not having a great season in their division having won only once at home so far. The achievement from WBB this season should not be overlooked, as it was just twelve months ago that they sat down with the league management to present a survival plan, and here they are looking forward to what may be ahead. At present, the quarter-final is due to be played on 21st February.
In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries thought outside the box and were quick off the mark to hire the 3g at Paignton Community College to get a game played. The visitors East Allington United Seconds had a full squad available to choose from, and the extra players that were available clearly made a difference. Goals from Jake Blamey (2), Harry Witham and Sam Quick gave the Pirates a 4-1 victory that moves them up to joint fourth with Paignton Villa Seconds, and just one point behind Ivybridge Town Reserves. Corries are still in second place with two games in hand and a five point gap, but above them, Signal Box Oak Villa are now seven points clear having played one more game.
The one Herald Cup game that was played, courtesy of the artificial surface at Coach Road, was an all-Premier Division clash between Paignton Saints and Newton Abbot Spurs Seconds. The game was, as expected, a tight affair between the two teams sitting in fifth and sixth in the division. Saints were in front for a long period following a great strike from Jake Powell and looked as if they were going to run out 1-nil winners, but a late, late goal from Aiden Blackie sent the game into extra-time where neither defence could be breached, and a penalty shoot-out was going to appoint the first team into this season’s quarter-final. Even the shoot-out was a tense affair with Saints scoring all five and Spurs missing their fifth kick. With the weather as it is, Saints may have to wait for some time to find out who they will face for a place in the semi-final.
Games to hopefully catch on Saturday 14th February:
Division Three side Galmpton United host Premier Division outfit The Windmill in a banana skin Herald cup fixture, and WBB face an Ashburton side in what could be a tasty tie. In the Premier Division, East Allington United host Newton Abbot ’66 who really need to get some games played, and Ilsington Villa play Kingsteignton Athletic in a game that normally provides Premier Division football at its best. The big game in Division Two features the top two teams, Signal Box and Babbacombe Corries, in a ‘don’t lose’ game for Corries, and in Division Three, South Brent become the latest team to try to get that unbeaten record from Kingskerswell.
All fixtures are on the SDFL Full-Time web page, cup games KO 2pm, league games 2.30pm.
Enjoy your grassroots football, weather permitting.