The formbook makes happy reading for the favourites in South Devon

In the first round of the Herald Cup, the flagship knockout competition in South Devon, results went with the formbook, much to the disappointment of the lower ranked teams that took them to the wire.

Division Three leaders Kingskerswell took Premier Division champions Newton Abbot Spurs to within four minutes of going to extra time and could have won the game themselves had they been more clinical in front of goal.

But it was the current champions who scored late on to take their place in round two with a 3-2 win with goals from Matt Williams (2) and Aiden Blackie. A full match report with photos are available on Davesworld Proboards for this fixture.

Beesands Rovers also came close to knocking out Premier Division East Allington United in a South Hams derby but the Pirates just had that bit of extra quality and came through with a 2-1 victory. Dan Bowles scored both goals to give Geraldine the perfect birthday present and put the Pirates into round two.

Division One Mount Gould took Lakeside Athletic to extra time in a game that ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, Unfortunately, confusion reigned, as they went straight to a penalty shootout, which is not in the rules, so they will have to replay the fixture.

Teign Village of Division Four claimed their place in the second round with a 5-0 win over Waldon Athletic 2nds from Division Three. They replaced the first team, who withdrew from the competition, but the whole club has been struggling of late, so the formbook would have favoured the villagers.

There were two all Division One games in the cup and WBB booked their place with a tough 4-2 win versus Watcombe Wanderers, but over in Brixham, the game against Barton Athletic was abandoned due to a serious knee injury that required the services of an ambulance, so that game will likely be replayed.

In the all Division Two cup game, Babbacombe Corries remain unbeaten and their impressive start to the season reached new heights with a 5-1 win against a good Drake FC side, who return to Plymouth hoping for a longer stay in the divisional cup when it starts.

For the second week in a row, result of the day goes to Chudleigh Athletic. Goals from Gavin Lake and Riley Snell dug out a great 2-2 draw at Ilsington Villa, who have dropped five points in their last two games and are now six points off the lead.

Windmill remain top and they had a good win by 3 goals to 1 at Kingsteignton, who have not had the best start to November and could do with a win to get back into mid-table. Plymouth True Blues remain in second place, just one point behind their neighbours.

With Ilsington dropping points and Spurs and Lakeside on cup duty, Newton Abbot 66 slipped into third place with a hard fought 3-1 win over Paignton Saints, who have been on a bit of a run recently. Goals from Liam Ashwell, Callum Foskett and Cody Monk sealed the deal for Sixes, who have only dropped six points so far and it remains a very open competition.

There were no league games in Division One but Signal Box took advantage of Corries being on cup duty by moving into top spot with a 7-1 thrashing of East Allington reserves. The strikes came from Jake Cribb, Joe Haslem, Harley Mitchell, Paul Thompson and a double from a name that seems to get on the score sheet most weeks, Jordan Rickards.

Harbertonford had an unexpected victory at home to promotion contenders Ivybridge Town, goals from Isaac Phillips and Zach Tiddy secured three valuable points for the Fords, who move into mid-table, whilst Ivvies stay third, three points off the lead.

At the top of Division Three, Galmpton United moved to within one point of the unbeaten leaders Kingskerswell with a great 5-0 victory over an experienced Liverton United side that won the reverse fixture just four weeks ago.

Two of the promotion outsiders, Stoke Gabriel TP and Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds, had to settle for a 1-1 draw that neither wanted but would probably settle for, as both are capable of beating anybody on their day and both sit in mid-table this week.

Ipplepen Athletic picked up points for the second week in a row. This week, it was a 0-0 draw versus Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds in a game that neither could afford to lose, so another 22 happy customers will probably be satisfied with the point.

In Division Four, Chudleigh Athletic reserves took advantage of their closest rivals being on cup duty by beating Paignton Villa 3rds by 4 goals to 1 at Kate Brook, the win puts the Clarets six points clear of Teign Village and eight points clear of Brixham Town in third.

Brixham had the long journey to Bere Alston United and whilst they contributed to a great game of football, they were on the wrong side of a 5-4 result. Ryan Smale scored a hat-trick and a brace for Callum Mitchell moved the home team into fourth place on goal difference.

Broadhempston United had a good win on the road against Barton Athletic 2nds, a 2-1 success moves the Broads seven points behind Bere Alston with three games in hand. Paignton Saints 3rds had a good win at home to Kingsbridge and Kellaton Utd, 7 – 1 was the final score and moves Saints level on points with Broadhemston.

This week’s fact for the stats lovers out there: After next week’s games, Saints 3rds will have played half of their games for the season, so well done to them.

Games to catch this weekend

Once again, County Cup games take priority but there are also some great league fixtures being played.

Lots of important fixtures at both ends of most of the divisions but we can start with a tasty tie in the Premier Division at in-form Chudleigh Athletic, who host Windmill in what will be a difficult challenge for the Plymouth side hoping to keep their good form going.

In Division One, Watcombe Wanderers host Liverton United at Long Lane with both teams desperate to put some points on the board.

Division Two has a couple of fixtures that stand out, At the top, Ivybridge Town host second in the table Babbacombe Corries at Erme Valley but my game of the day is a relegation blockbuster at Armada Park where the bottom two meet in a massive game for both Upton Athletic and Newton Rovers. A win for either would take them out of the bottom two but a home win could leave the Rovers team adrift.

In Division Three, Waldon Athletic face Galmpton Utd at Windmill Hill, and in Division Four, there is a repeat of last week’s game that had nine goals at Brixham Town, when Bere Alston Utd make their longest trip of the season to the seaside. All of the above games have a 2.30pm kick off.

Enjoy your grassroots football.