County Cup ambition for the South Devon Football League teams

There are three adult competitions offered by the Devon FA in the county, and in the recent past, the Premier Cup has proved to be a step too far for SDFL Premier Division teams, but this season could be different.

The South Devon Football League has a few teams that could challenge for the highest knockout honour and those are the teams that have ambition to move into the football pyramid.

Safely through to round three are Newton Abbot 66, who have now knocked out two Devon League teams, Ilsington Villa, Lakeside Athletic, Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds and East Allington United.

The Senior Cup is for teams in Divisions One and Two, and in recent years has been dominated by SDFL clubs, mainly teams moving into the competition from other leagues.

Safely through to round three of this competition are Barton Athletic, Beesands Rovers, Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds, Mount Gould, Signal Box, Buckland Athletic, WBB, Drake FC and Bovey Tracey.

The SDFL family also wish Paignton Villa’s Tom Meyer all the best after Tom broke his leg at Tipton St John. At the time, Villa were 3-0 up when the referee abandoned the fixture.

The Intermediate Cup is for teams in Divisions Three and Four, and the SDFL again has a few clubs that could go all the way this season.

Safely through to round three are Liverton United 2nds, Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds, Ipplepen Athletic, Stoke Gabriel TP and Kingskerswell.

Looking at the teams that are progressing in these knockouts, this could be the best opportunity in some time for a SDFL treble in the County Cups.

On a week where these County Cups took preference over league fixtures, it is an opportune moment to not only update the race for the Golden Boot in each division but to announce that the league management team have expanded their numbers by appointing three independent referees into key roles on the committee.

The roles of treasurer, discipline officer and vice chairman have taken immediate effect as the SDFL continues to grow.

Golden Boot Leaders

Premier: Callum Noyce, Ilsington Villa (9), JJ Honeywell Lakeside Ath (7), Three on (5).

Division One: Ray Spear (8), Bentley Alcantara (7), Mount Gould, Alistair Chuchup (5) Bovey Tracey.

Division Two: Lee Grimshaw, Ashburton (11), Loius George, Drake FC (10), George Gordon Harbertonford (8).

Division Three: Oliver Critchloe, Kingskerswell (9), Chris Bennett, Templar Way (7), Simon Ross Liverton Utd 2nds (6).

Division Four: Alex Esson, Teign Village (7), Jack Salmon, Chudleigh Athletic 2nds (6), Adam Daymond, Bere Alston Utd (6) Lewis Reeman, Brixham Town 2nds (6).

Games to catch this weekend

Looking at the Premier Division games on offer this weekend, it should be dubbed a Super Saturday with important games at the top and the bottom.

Two massive fixtures at the bottom that may give an indication of who is facing a long season, include Waldon Athletic welcoming Chudleigh Athletic to Windmill Hill and Buckfastleigh Rangers facing a Totnes and Dartington side that need to be in the mood.

In the race to stay in contention at the top, Ilsington Villa and Plymouth True Blues go head to head in a don’t-lose match, and there is a Plymouth derby at Millenium Fields, where Lakeside will not be looking forward to another tough Saturday when they play Windmill.

The final game in the top division is at Osbourne Park, where Newton Abbot 66 will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league against the yet to be defeated East Allington United.

In Division One, there will be a big crowd at JC Park for the visit of favourites Mount Gould and down in Loddiswell, Beesands Rovers will provide a big test for Bovey Tracey.

The big game in Division Two is at Ashburton, where Ivybridge Town are the visitors and with both teams focused on getting into the promotion spots, it should be a good game.

In Division Three, Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds host a Templar Way team trying to get their mojo back and Waldon Athletic 2nds become the next team to try and take that record from Kingskerswell at Cricketfield Road.

All of these games start at 2.30pm, enjoy your grassroots football.