Saints serve festive feast as South Devon League heads into Christmas break

Paignton Saints lit up the final full weekend of South Devon Football League action before Christmas with a stunning 6–1 home victory over reigning champions Newton Abbot Spurs, headlining a packed round of festive football.

Jayden Brent and Jake Powell shared the man-of-the-match honours as Saints delivered what supporters will remember as an early Christmas present. Goals from Joe Perry (2), Jake Powell (2), Brandon Kelly and Mynyta Cherneiski capped a dominant team performance against a strong Spurs side. The result lifts Saints into third place, leapfrogging both Spurs and East Allington United. Spurs drop to fifth, two points adrift but with two games in hand.

Windmill also ended the year on a positive note in the Premier Division, grinding out a 3–1 win over Ilsington Villa. Brodie Simpson struck twice, with Alex Photiou adding a third, as Villa—missing their leading scorer due to FA Vase commitments—were left frustrated. Elsewhere, waterlogged pitches wiped out the remaining league fixtures, though Totnes and Dartington suffered a surprise 3–1 Herald Cup defeat to Division One side Elburton Villa. It was a welcome boost for Villa, who have endured a difficult year off the pitch, and they now progress to the next round.

In Division One, Paignton Villa returned to the summit with an emphatic 6–0 win over Liverton United. Tom Evans grabbed a hat-trick, with Seb Knight, Babbucarr Colley and Yahya Sulliman also on target. Beesands Rovers survived a scare at bottom club Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds, edging a 4–3 thriller thanks to a Jack Hopkins hat-trick and an Adam Keates strike. Despite sitting fourth, the Bees’ negative goal difference could yet prove decisive.

Watts Blake Bearne kept pace near the top with a convincing 4–1 away win at Watcombe Wanderers. A victory in their rearranged clash at Bovey Tracey on December 20 would see them top the table at Christmas. Bovey, meanwhile, could move within three points of the summit with a win. In the Herald Cup, Barton Athletic progressed after a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Brixham Town, despite being reduced to ten men.

Division Two saw Babbacombe Corries strengthen their promotion push with a 3–0 away win at Ivybridge Town, inflicting a second defeat in three weeks on the Ivies. The Torquay-based side remain just two points behind leaders Signal Box with a game in hand. Paignton Saints 2nds enjoyed a comfortable 5–0 win at Newton Rovers, opening up an eight-point gap above the bottom three, while remarkably holding a positive goal difference despite sitting fourth from bottom.

Galmpton United’s unbeaten run finally ended in Division Three as they were edged out 4–3 by Kingsteignton Athletic in a thrilling encounter. Galmpton remain second but now trail unbeaten leaders Kingskerswell by six points. Kingskerswell maintained their perfect record with a 5–0 win over Ipplepen Athletic. Newton Abbot 66 2nds and Stoke Gabriel TP shared a 2–2 draw on a heavy Osborne Park pitch, a result that helped neither side’s promotion ambitions.

In Division Four, Teign Village handed Chudleigh Athletic 2nds their first defeat of the season with an impressive 3–1 away win, inspired by a William Allen hat-trick. Brixham Town 2nds stayed firmly in contention with a 4–1 win at Kingsbridge/Kellaton United, while Bere Alston United underlined their promotion credentials with a thumping 9–1 victory over Paignton Saints 3rds. Barton Athletic 2nds also entered the promotion mix after a 6–0 win at Newton Rovers Reserves, leaving five teams battling for two automatic promotion places.

With defeats for Chudleigh Athletic 2nds and Galmpton United, only Waldon Athletic 3rds (Division Four), Babbacombe Corries (Division Two) and Kingskerswell (Division Three) remain unbeaten, with Kingskerswell boasting a perfect record.

Attention now turns to a festive double-header. Friday night football returns to Coach Road on December 19 for a Devon FA-backed “Fair Play Friday” clash between Paignton Saints 3rds and Broadhempston United under the lights. On Saturday, Bovey Tracey host Watts Blake Bearne in a crucial Division One encounter.

As the league pauses for Christmas, the South Devon Football League extended its thanks and best wishes to all players, coaches, volunteers and supporters, wishing everyone a happy Christmas and a healthy, successful 2026.