Windmill send a message of power in the South Devon Football League

The first week of spring delivered a full programme of fixtures in the Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League.

At the top of the Premier Division, Windmill were at full sail to put their Herald Cup disappointment behind them by moving seven points clear with a comprehensive 6-1 victory at in-form Chudleigh Athletic to send out a catch us if you can message to the other contenders, Brodie Simpson continues to find the back of the net for the Plymouth outfit.

The Newton Abbot derby game between Spurs and 66 ended in a sharing of the points with a 1-1 scoreline. The result would have been well received by the west area teams who can still be caught by both Newton Abbot teams if they can turn games in hand into maximum points.

Paignton Saints remain just three points off the leading pack albeit having played more games but a 4-2 win at Buckfastleigh Rangers thanks to strikes from Cairo Broadway, Brandon Kelly and Mike Hernandez.

The result leaves Rangers adrift at the bottom with Totnes and Dartington who were in Beli Cup action and they faced a tough test at Lakeside Athletic who scored 5 goals without reply.

In the same cup, Plymouth True Blues progressed courtesy of a close 2-1 win over Kingsteignton Athletic with goals from Bayley Williams and a late penalty from William Stringer.

There were also two delayed Herald Cup games that went ahead, East Allington United made the short trip up the Erme Valley to face Division Two side Ivybridge Town and it was a worthwhile trip as they progressed into the quarter finals with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Finn Bullen.

Bovey Tracey gave up home advantage to get a game played and travelled to near neighbours Ilsington Villa. Bovey will be delighted to put another game behind them in a catch-up season but a 4-1 win for Villa thanks to goals from Dan Langford and Jaimie Beer puts the Moorlanders into the next round and keeps their season bubbling away.

In the only league game played in Division One due to start of the Dartmouth Cup, Barton Athletic moved to within two points of the leading pack with an 8-0 win over a Liverton United side that seem to be imploding.

The result keeps the Blues on course for a possible return to the top division. In the division’s Dartmouth Cup, the big shock came at Long Lane where Watcombe Wanderers quickly got over losing their second team during the week by beating one of the favourites Mount Gould 2-0.

The visitors ended the game with nine players following two red cards and no doubt did not have a pleasant trip back down the A38. Paignton Villa took their good league form into the knockout competition with a comfortable 6-0 win at Buckland Athletic, Charlie Thomas hit a hat-trick with Seb Knight, Sam Omara and Soliman Yaha finding the back of the Homers Heath net.

WBB travelled to Brixham Town for the second week running and went one better than last week when they came away with a 3-0 victory to grab a place in the hat for the next round, Cam Gill and Jay Orchard were on target for Wattsies.

Two SDFL teams came face to face in the Devon County Senior Cup and it was Elburton Villa who came out on top against Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds by two goals to nil to set up a semi-final against Bovey Tracey or Newton St Cyres at the end of March.

In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries just had the edge to hang on to second place in a league that seems to be a one-horse race, a 4-2 win over fellow challengers Ashburton keeps Corries 10 points behind Signal Box OV who had a free weekend.

Drake FC, who are sitting in mid-table, could still play a part in the promotion race thanks to a 7-0 win at Upton Athletic. The visitors can move to within one point of Corries if they win their games in hand.

The Paignton reserve derby game between Saints and Villa ended in a 2-2 draw and both teams sitting at the higher end of mid-table. Interestingly, Saints only have five fixtures remaining, I wonder how many teams would like to be in that position, I could name 20!

Newton Abbot 66 2nds progressed into the next round of the division’s knockout courtesy of Watcombe Wanderers’ withdrawal during the week and Harbertonford will also be in the hat following a 2-1 victory at Newton Rovers.

At the top of Division Three, Galmpton United have moved six points clear of Kingskerswell, who were on cup duty, following a 3-1 win at a strong Liverton United reserve side. The goals were enough to keep the Greens in pole position but Kerswell have five games in hand to use to their advantage.

Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds continue to be in good form and their 5-0 win over Ipplepen Athletic keeps the Rams in third place but eight points behind the runaway leaders.

In Division Four, it was first v third at White Rock and Chudleigh Athletic 2nds ran out 5-1 winners against Paignton Villa 3rds to keep a six-point cushion over local rivals Teign Village who also picked up maximum points with a 3-1 win over Barton Athletic.

In the division’s knockout competition, Bere Alston United went through with a 5-3 victory over Brixham Town 2nds and Kingsbridge / Kellaton Utd had a good day at the office with a 2-0 win over Broadhempston United thanks to Alex Piper who found the net twice.

Waldon Athletic 3rds also scraped through with a 2-1 extra time win versus Newton Rovers 2nds, and here is the other side of the fixture coin, Waldon 3rds are still unbeaten in the league but have 15 league games to squeeze in before the end of May, which is 12 playing Saturdays.

Games to catch on Saturday, March 14:

At the time of writing, Plymouth True Blues host East Allington United in a game that could change the look of the top three. Only two points separate the sides and it will be worth a watch. Also in Plymouth, Windmill face Newton Abbot Spurs and, having lost at the Rec three weeks ago, will be looking to get some points from them.

My games of the day are in Division One where Bovey Tracey host Mount Gould at the Western Counties ground and WBB travel to Elburton Villa with both teams in good form, something has to give, while Paignton Villa face Barton Athletic in a game neither will want to lose. In Division Two, Ivybridge Town welcome Ashburton who will be looking to get back to winning ways and with both teams as outside contenders, it should be a cracker.

All fixtures are subject to change at the moment due to delayed cup games, so please check on the leagues Full Time website before travelling.

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