Bumper ties await South Devon clubs in the 2025/26 Herald Cup

The first round of this season’s Herald Cup, the flagship knockout competition in the South Devon League, has produced some fascinating ties, including three local derbies.

The Draw
Babbacombe Corries v Drake FC
Bovey Tracey v Liverton United
Brixham Town v Barton Athletic
East Allington United v Beesands Rovers
Kingskerswell v Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds
Mount Gould v Lakeside Athletic
Newton Rovers v Templar Way
Totnes and Dartington v Elburton Villa
Waldon Athletic 2nds v Teign Village
WBB v Watcombe Wanderers.

All other teams have a bye.

This week in the SDFL Premier Division, Ilsington Villa suffered a shock 3 - 2 home defeat against East Allington at Lewthorne cross, Rob Tapper and Ben Taylor scored the goals for the Pirates.

The result not only puts a dent in Villa’s ambitions but also moves the Pirates into a credible position to be considered challengers.

It also opened the door for True Blues to set the pace but in their derby game at Lakeside. neither could seize the moment and both settled for a point in a six-goal thriller that was a credit to the standard of football being played in this division.

Paignton Saints picked up another three points and are growing in confidence, A comfortable 4-0 win versus Buckfastleigh Rangers keeps Saints moving in the right direction and Rangers needing a win to move them away from the wrong end of the table.

Newton Abbot 66 slipped up with a 3-2 loss at Kingsteignton, goals from Sam Morgan, Ryan Toglavari and Mathew Elmore secured three valuable points for the Rams. Chudleigh lost again by the odd goal in three, this time it was Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds who took the points.

If the Premier Division is hotting up, then Division One is on fire, Brixham town continue to win big games and this week’s 5-1 victory versus Buckland was more valuable to the Fishermen than just the three points, as one of their closest rivals, Mount Gould had lost 2-1 at home to Paignton Villa.

Bovey Tracey are also pressing in the top five following a 4-2 win against Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds, thanks to goals from Ben Moyle, Owen Caldwell and Oliver Bourne. Beesands Rovers got back to winning ways at home to a Barton Athletic side that had a man sent off in a 3-2 defeat, the result sets up the Bees for their Friday night out in Newton Abbot.

In Division Two, most of the games went with the form guide, Babbacombe Corries had a good 3-0 win over top of the table Drake FC at Long Lane and Signal Box kept up the pressure on the top two with a comfortable afternoon against Harbertonford with six different players getting on the scoresheet. Ashburton beat Paignton Villa 2nds 1-0, the result keeps the Ashes just behind the leading three.

In Division Three, Kingskerswell look unstoppable, a 5-2 win over promotion hopefuls Stoke Gabriel, helped by a Kyle Doughty hat-trick, keeps them unbeaten at the top. Galmpton got back to winning ways following a couple of indifferent results, a 4-0 win at Ipplepen with goals from Harley Hooper, Jack Rowell and Jack Trimble.

The top two teams in Division Four both scored six goals in their respective victories, Teign Village won 6-1 against Broadhempston and Chudleigh 2nds 6-2 against Paignton Saints 3rds to set the pace in the division. Bere Alston remain in close contact with the leaders thanks to a 3-0 win at Newton Rovers 2nds.

Friday night football returns to the SDFL this week as Paignton Villa host Beesands Rovers in a Division One fixture at Coach Road that has a 7.30pm kick off. The fixture is a reward for the positive behaviour that both clubs promote throughout the season and has been offered by DCFA as a full Coach Road experience for them to enjoy.

Both teams have high hopes of challenging for promotion, so if you are in need of a football fix this Friday, get along to Coach Road and support two great teams in search of three points.

My game to catch in the Premier Division this weekend is at Newton Rec, where Newton Spurs 2nds play Paignton Saints. Just three seasons ago, this would have been a game in the pyramid and both teams have had a mixed start to their second season in the top division and no doubt both will be looking at this game as an opportunity to gain three points.

In Division One there is a local derby at Bovey Tracey when Liverton make the short trip in search of some much-needed points. Division Two also offers a local derby at Millbay Park, where Drake FC will play Signal Box, while Harbertonford travel to Watcombe Wanderers for what could be a tough afternoon for both teams.

Kick-offs at 2.30pm, enjoy your grassroots football.