Watts Blake Bearne on the brink of SDFL departure

It is always disappointing to have to report on the demise of any team and not for the first time this season.

Watts Blake Bearne have given the South Devon Football League notice to withdraw. The rules state that they must now enter a period of discussion with the league management to try to save the club, who have 35 registered players. WBB be given four weeks without fixtures to attempt to reset and complete the season.

Storm Eowyn also played a part in this week’s grassroots football, knocking out 12 of the 25 games that were due to be played but still plenty of goals and talking points.

It is as you were at the top of the Premier Division but Ilsington Villa were held to a 1-1 draw by Waldon Athletic. Jack Langford was again on target for the Moorlanders but it was not enough to win the game and the Torquay-based team remain in third place, just two points off the lead.

Only four points separate the top four teams in a very tight title race and sandwiched between these two on goal difference are Newton Abbot 66, who had a massive scare at Beesands Rovers before goals from Ashley Dove, Callum Foskett and Joe Clarke Farley cancelled out the two home team goals to keep Sixes in the mix.

Buckfastleigh Rangers have also moved into a challenging position with a 2-0 win at Paignton Saints. Tyler Wark was the Rangers hero with both goals. The win puts Rangers into fourth place, just four points shy of 66 with a game in hand.

East Allington United finally secured their first win in 2025 by beating Elburton Villa by 6 goals to 2 in a game where the venue was switched on Saturday morning by the hosts to ensure that it went ahead, so well done to the management at Villa for being pro-active.

Finley Bullen moved up the Golden Boot ranks by netting four goals, with singles from Dan Hurrell and Fred Massey putting the Pirates toward mid-table.

In Division One, only two fixtures survived and both were mid-table games. Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds continue on their rollercoaster of a season, this time they were on the up with a 3-2 win at Paignton Villa thanks to a Toby Pullman hat-trick.

Buckland Athletic enjoyed a 3-2 victory at Watcombe Wanderers but they remain seven points off the top four. Interestingly in this division, Paignton Villa only have seven games left in the league and Phoenix have 13, plus interest in three cups.

One reason is that Phoenix have been fixtured twice to play Brixham AFC and WBB, who are both on a short leave from games as they continue to work with the league to keep their teams afloat.

In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries moved into second place with a fantastic 5-3 victory against league leaders Barton Athletic. Keiron Sweet bagged a brace and there were singles from Jack Cole, Joshua Easterbrook and James Thompson, putting Corries six points from top spot with two games in hand and Barton only have eight games to play, so they may need to win seven of them for a top two place.

Mount Gould remain favourites with 14 games remaining and were victims of the wet weather. East Allington 2nds are also in contention and have games in hand, a comfortable 5-1 home win versus Newton Rovers sees them move up to sixth place.

At the other end of the table, Ipplepen Athletic 2nds and Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds remain a few points from safety. The Pens lost 5-0 at home to Paignton Saints 2nds and Rangers put up a fight at Watcombe Wanderers 2nds before going down 4-3.

The big game in Division Three saw Ashburton and Stoke Gabriel TP share the points in a 2-2 draw. Daniel Treseze scored both the goals for the home team, who also had a substitute sent off.

In the only other game to be played in this division, South Brent picked up a valuable win that gives them a bit of a cushion over the bottom two, Paignton Saints 3rds and Brixham Town 2nds, who were both rained off.

In Division Four, Templar Way closed the gap at the top and are now five points from Kingskerswell, who have played two games less. They had to work hard to overcome Kingsbridge and Kellaton Utd, a 4-3 keeps Templar in the mix for second place. Paignton Villa 3rds also had a 4-3 victory at home to Broadhempston United.

In this division, Waldon Athletic 3rds have just two league games to play to complete their season, whilst Templar Way and Barton Athletic 2nds have three games left.

The fixture secretary has reported, compared with recent seasons, the league fixtures are in a healthy position with only three or four teams out of 59 two or three fixtures behind.

The divisional cups get underway this weekend, providing all clubs with the shortest route to winning a trophy.

An absolute belter in the Belli cup and my game of the day is a repeat of last season’s Herald Cup semi-final and a local derby at Osbourne Park where Newton Abbot 66 and Newton Abbot Spurs lock horns at 2pm.

In the Division One Dartmouth Cupm can Watcombe Wanderers overcome Windmill in what will be a tricky test for the Plymouth outfit.

The Division Two knockout competition offers another local derby in Barton Athletic versus Watcombe Wanderers 2nds at Paignton community college.

The Ronald Cup for Division Three teams sees Liverton United 2nds travel to the Manadon Sports Hub to play Drake FC in a fixture that normally keeps on giving.

And in the Division Four Cup at Bakers Park, Newton Rovers 2nds meet Templar Way in what could be an interesting game as the visitors are looking for some silverware in their first season in the competition.

All cup games kick off at 2pm. Enjoy your grassroots football.