Saints and Broads serve up a Christmas Classic on Fair Play Friday

Anyone expecting a scrappy affair between two of Division Four’s bottom three was quickly proven wrong as Paignton Saints 3rds and Broadhempston United delivered a Christmas cracker in front of more than 100 supporters.

Paignton Saints needed just two minutes to open the scoring through Keiron Seatherton, who would later collect the man-of-the-match award. However, the lead lasted only nine minutes before Dan Wells, Broadhempston’s other standout performer, produced a superb equaliser.

Saints came under sustained pressure, particularly down the flanks, and four minutes later Broads turned the game around. Ben Muller surged past three defenders before pulling the ball back for Wells to curl a sublime finish into the top corner, drawing applause from both sets of fans.

At 2–1 after just 12 minutes, the match continued at breathless pace. Seatherton struck again, Darren Millea added another for Saints, but a late first-half equaliser from Stuart Hanney ensured the sides went in level at 3–3, with supporters buzzing over the quality on display.

The second half saw Saints take control, benefiting from greater familiarity with the 3G surface as Broads began to tire. Despite a few mistimed challenges, the referee kept firm control in a match between two of the league’s best-disciplined sides.

A key moment came from the Saints bench as Dylan Cousins was introduced, injecting fresh pace and scoring twice to seal a memorable 5–3 home victory.

Elsewhere, in Division One, Watts, Blake & Bearne climbed top for Christmas with a commanding 4–0 win at Bovey Tracey, while attention now turns to the Herald Cup second round on January 3, which promises a feast of grassroots football across all divisions.

Herald Cup Draw

Newton Rovers (Div 2) v Ilsington Villa (Premier)
Ashburton (Div 2) v Bere Alston Utd (Div 4)
Paignton Saints (Premier) v Babbacombe Corries (Div 2)
WBB (Div 1) v Signal Box Oak Villa (Div 2)
Bovey Tracey (Div 1) v Paignton Villa (Div 1)
Kingsteignton Athletic (Premier) v East Allington United (Premier)
Buckland Athletic (Div 1) v Galmpton United (Div 3)
Kingsbridge & Kellaton (Div 4) v Ivybridge Town (Div 2)
Newton Abbot 66 (Premier) v Chudleigh Athletic (Premier)
Broadhempston United (Div 4) v Windmill (Premier)
Barton Athletic (Div 1) v Lakeside Athletic (Premier)
Newton Abbot Spurs (Premier) v Teign Village (Div 4)
Ipplepen Athletic (Div 3) v Upton Athletic (Div 2)
Plymouth True Blues (Premier) v Stoke Gabriel TP (Div 3)
Harbertonford (Div 2) v Elburton Villa (Div 1)
South Brent (Div 3) v Buckfastleigh Rangers (Premier)

Enjoy your grassroots cup football.