Moorland clubs make powerful return to grassroots football

Footballers across the region would have been glad to be dusting off the cobwebs following the winter break, as fixtures resumed in the Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League.

The referee secretary was able to report a full complement of officials available for the games to be played and, mercifully, there were only two games lost to the weather, at Buckfastleigh and Harbertonford, but more of a concern was that both Brixham AFC and WBB were unable to raise a team after a break.

There were a few delayed Herald cup games played that all went to form, despite some lower ranked teams really upping their game to compete against higher opposition.

Plymouth True Blues did not have an easy afternoon at Stoke Gabriel TP, the Division Three side gave as good as they got but the slick finishing by Kieron Bond, Chris Harvey and Lee Phillips was the main difference between the sides.

The visitors will need to wait until January 20 for the draw for the next round, whilst the home team are well placed in division three for a promotion challenge. Ivybridge Town are also through to the next round after a terrific 4-1 win at Brixham Town, which nobody saw coming, and will be a big disappointment for Shaun Langdon’s team after knocking out Ilsington Villa in the previous round.

Liverton United also won by 4 goals to 1 at Kingsbridge and Kellaton Utd, who gave a good account of themselves but four goals from the visitors was enough to see Livvy in the hat for the next round.

In the Premier Division, bottom club Elburton Villa caused a major upset by beating Waldon Athletic 3-2, the result is the home team’s first win of the season and prevents the Torquay team from opening up a gap at the top. Craig Duff and Les Afful were on target for Waldon, whilst Charlie Patrick, Logan Felton and George Photiou were the scorers for Villa.

There was a very entertaining game at East Allington United, where the visitors from Newton Abbot 66 scraped a 2-1 win to keep the in contention after a couple of blips. Finlay Bullen was on target for the Pirates but the single strike was not enough to stop the points returning to Newton Abbot.

Kingsteinton Athletic remain in fourth place following a 2-0 home win against Beesands Rovers, who are in a relegation battle with Elburton Villa and Chudleigh Athletic - they managed to pick up a valuable point at Paignton Saints in a 2-2 draw.

Harvey Veysey scored both goals for the Saints, whilst Gavin Hammon did the same for the Clarets, who are just one point above the relegation zone having played two more games than Beesands Rovers.

In the only league game played in Division One, Bovey Tracey remained on course for promotion and they continue to separate the two Plymouth teams at the top, a hard fought 2-1 victory at Watcombe Wanderers keeps them in second place, three points behind True Blues and one point ahead of Phoenix.

In Division Two, Barton Athletic have moved nine points clear at the top, thanks to a fine 4-2 home win versus East Allington United 2nds. Second-placed Mount Gould, who did not play, have five games in hand over the Torquay-based team and they remain in the County Cup, so a busy April and May could challenge the Plymouth team.

Ipplepen Athletic won their first game of the season and they did it in style by beating a good Watcombe Wanderers 2nd team by four goals to three, the win does not move Pens off the bottom but does put them in touching distance.

In Division Three, Elburton Villa 3rds and Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds cancelled each other out in a two all draw and allowed Ashburton to take control at the top thanks to a great 4-2 derby win against Liverton United with goals from Tom Arnold, Alex Hambley, Derek Cartmill and James Parker.

The Ashes are now four points clear of second-placed Drake with the cushion of two games in hand. In mid-table, there were big wins for Newton Abbot 66 2nds, who scored 12, and Waldon Athletic 2nds, who notched up 10 goals in their fixtures.

In Division Four, the top two teams, Teign Village and Kingskerswell, played out a six-pointer and it was the visitors who took the points and opened up a six-point lead at the top. In a highly entertaining game, Elliot Mills and Corey Finch were on target for Kerswell.

Templar Way are now level on points with Teign Village following their 1-0 win at Paignton Villa 3rds and Chudleigh Athletic 2nds remain in fourth thanks to a 4-3 victory at Kate Brook against Waldon Athletic 3rds. Elsewhere in this division, Broadhempston United got back to winning ways with a 3-2 triumph versus Newton Rovers 2nds.

Game to catch on Saturday, January 11 include a cracker at Osbourn Park, where Newton Abbot 66 take on Ilsington Villa in a game that neither will want to lose and could have a big say in who ends the season as champions. There are 24 other games being played and details are on the full time website.