CLARETS CLINCH IT: Waldon Athletic Reserves become the first divisional title winners after a narrow win over Bovey Tracey Reserves in Division Four. © Al Macphee/MiraclePR
There are still four teams battling for the Torbay Clearance Services SDFL title following a ‘super Saturday’ of big games.
League leaders Buckfastleigh Rangers faced a daunting trip to Bull Point to face in-form The Windmill who knew they needed a win to keep their faint title hopes alive. The Plymouth side earned the points they needed with Rhys Walton scoring twice in a 5-1 win. Ben Woodman, Michael Neal and Ashley Walker also found the back of the net for the Herald Cup finalists, with Steve Sutton getting Rangers’ goal.
Brixham AFC Reserves also had a tough fixture, travelling to East Allington United who had trounced therm 5-1 the previous week. But the Fishermen overcame the Pirates this time around, winning 4-3 to return to the top of the division. East Allington are next in action at Dartmouth AFC on Friday night, where they take on Newton Abbot ’66 in the final of the George Belli Cup (7pm KO).
Elburton Villa Reserves knew that anything but a win at home to Salcombe Town wouldn’t realistically be enough. They won 3-1 with goals from Lewis Guest, Corbin Mackin and Cody Jones, Ben Tapper on target for Salcombe. Villa’s next game is a mouth-watering crunch tie at fellow Plymouth side The Windmill on Saturday – a game neither team can afford to lose.
Ivybridge Town Reserves recorded another impressive home win, beating Watts Blake Bearne 2-1 at Erme Valley, Sam Stevens and Bailey Tingley with their goals.
Paignton Saints Reserves hauled themselves back to the top of Division One with a narrow 2-1 home victory over title rivals Chudleigh Athletic Reserves. Connor Stewart and Sam Winstanley were on target for Saints, wiith Joe Potter responding for Chudleigh.
In the division’s only other game, Harbertonford celebrated their first league win since October with a 6-1 thrashing of bottom side Kingskerswell and Chelston. Sam Passmore had his shooting boots on, scoring four of the Fords’ goals, David Hatch and Jordan Baggott also netting. Frank Major put away ‘Kerswell’s consolation goal.
Ilsington Villa have one hand on the Division Two trophy after winning 3-0 at title rivals Torquay Town. Jack Dixon, Matthew Warman and George Harris struck to condemn Town to their first league loss of the season.
Babbacombe Corinthians won their final home game of the season 7-2 against Barton Athletic Reserves, with Lee McArthur and Ben Nickells both putting away braces. Curtis Marshall, Joshua Easterbrook and Connor Charlesworth also scored for the hosts.
Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds beat SGT Police Reserves 4-2 in a Thursday night game at The Rec, while goals from Jamie McGuinness and Steeve Yava secured Watcombe Wanderers Reserves a 2-0 win at East Allington United Reserves in their final away game.
Brixham Town are still unbeaten at the top of Division Three after a comfortable 5-0 win over Broadhempston United, who end their season with just a point to their name. Harry Chastney doubled up for Town, Stuart Pointon scored from the spot, and Shane Pike and Jack Thomson also celebrated goals. Kingsbridge and Kellaton United battled out a 1-1 draw with Teign Village in their penultimate game, while Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves picked up an easy three points with Liverton United Reserves unable to raise a side.
Waldon Athletic Reserves became the first SDFL side to win their division following a 1-0 home win over Bovey Tracey Reserves. Terry Hunter scored the decisive second half goal that took the Clarets over the line.
In-form Paignton Villa Reserves edged a five-goal Fred Hewings Cup semi-final tie at home to Chudleigh Athletic Thirds. Ashley Beetschen, Charlie Thomas and Jack Wilkinson found the net for Villa with Christian Williams and Matthew Rushton scoring for Chudleigh.
Villa will face Ivybridge Town Development in the final after the Division Four outfit dispatched Division Three side Watts Blake Bearne Reserves 6-1 at Erme Valley. Matthew Goodwin scored a hat-trick for the Ivies, with Callum Collings, Craig Brenton and Lewis Dickson joining him on the score-sheet.
The Fred Hewings Cup final will take place on Friday 6th May at Totnes and Dartington FC.