Rain ravaged SDFL fixture schedule again

It has been another washout weekend for the majority of footballers but the teams that played in the eight games that went ahead produced some great entertainment and three of the four cup games played produced shock results, writes Alastair Muirden
A big well done to Mr Hooper and his grounds team at Newton Abbot Recreation Ground for preparing the pitch for Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds home game against Elburton Villa 3rds in the Fred Hewings Cup.
Spurs, currently sitting in the lofty position of third in Division Two, were hosting an Elburton Villa team sitting in fifth spot in Division Four, a team who this time last year were playing youth football.
But as we all know, anything can happen in the cup, and it did again in this encounter.
Spurs were definitely the stronger of the two teams but Villa were faster and used the full width of the pitch to their advantage.
As with most cup games, it needed a goal to open things up and on 22 minutes Elburton got the breakthrough. It came courtesy of Lucas Phillips and they held onto the lead until the 44th minute, when during a goalmouth scramble Deven Webb stuck out a foot and connected for the equaliser.
The game then got a bit scrappy with a few challenges going in that were correctly penalised by the referee. Spurs were now starting to get on top and it seemed inevitable that they were going to go on and win the game.
In fact the Villa goalkeeper Jack Bamford had very different ideas. Already a contender for the man of the match accolade, Bamford picked up the ball and launched it upfield, where Noah Taylor found himself one on one with Taylor Breslan in the Spurs goal.
And Noah held his nerve with great self-control to slide it passed the rushing keeper to put the young Plymouth side in front.
As we approached the 90th minute the referee told the benches there would be nine minutes of stoppage time due to all the substitutes being used and three or four injuries that needed treatment.
This seemed to lift Spurs and again they pushed forward. Frank Ornyik went on a maisy run into the box and was tripped just inside and the referee correctly pointed to the spot - surely extra time was now a possibility.
Frank stepped up, struck the ball and the keeper went the wrong way... but the ball hit the bar. It was then kicked clear into the Spurs half and a Villa attacker Jake Gillifian who was much faster than the Spurs defender got to the ball first and struck it first time to make it 3 – 1 to the visitors, who were ecstatic at the outcome.
Spurs now had no other option to push forward and in doing so allowed Sam Williamson to add a fourth goal which turned out to be the last kick of the game. What a game of football and a great advert for grass roots football.
Another cup game another banana skin another shock - this time in the Herald Cup on the 3G surface at Paignton Community College
Barton Athletic, who are sitting fourth in Division Two, hosted Watts Blake Bearne, who are currently fourth from bottom of the Premier.
Wattsies struggled to get to grips with the playing surface from the start and were caught out by the speed of play compared to grass and it did not take long for the hosts Barton Athletic to go in front courtesy of Zach Norton and as WBB pushed forward they left big gaps in defence which Barton exploited.
Further goals from Matt Bleakley, Liam Northcott, Morgan Steer and a second strike by Zach Norton finished off the Premier side who will be hoping for better things in the Belli Cup and the league.
Also in the Herald Cup, Ashburton had a comfortable afternoon at Armada Park, the Division Three newcomers ran out 4-0 victors over Upton Athletic from Division One in what was a one-sided affair.
The impressive Tom Arnold led the way with Harrison Manley scoring twice and Danny Grute came on as a super sub and finished off the home team.
The only other cup match to be played was in the Fred Hewings at Paignton Villa 2nds where the visitors were Watcombe Wanderers 2nds who continued their good form running out 6-2 winners to safely put themselves into the next round.
There were four league games that survived the wet weather. In the Premier league Buckfastleigh Rangers made the journey to Plymstock to take on in form Morley Rangers on the 3G pitch at Plymstock School and those that were in the large crowd were treated to an eight-goal thriller where the points were shared.
Corbin Mackin got the Plymouth side up and running with two good strikes, Connor Rush also added a brace for Morley whilst at the other end George Davidson, Matt Maller, Charlie Morgan and Steve Sutton were on target for Rangers who are always a difficult team to beat.
In Division Three Liverton United remain at the top following a 4-0 win at bottom club Kingsbridge and Kellaton.
Jamie Passmore, Ryan Duke, Harry Atkinson and Callum Hale scored the goals that puts Livvy level on points with Brent, both are well placed for honours.
Also in this division, Waldon Athletic 3rds are in a bit of form and a 4-0 home win against South Brent has moved them up the table to join five other teams on the same number of points, Cole and Morgan Harford scored one apiece and Chris Sridnko and Thomas Holtem secured the win which leaves the South Hams team looking for their first win of the season.
The only game in Division Four was at Windmill Hill where Babbacombe Corries 2nds hosted Chudleigh Athletic 2nds and it was the visitors that found the back of the net.
Lloyd Hitchins and Gavin Lake were on target for the Clarets, a result which puts them in third place in a tight division.
There are some big games to recommend for Saturday, November 25 - with the likelihood of some compelling football for fans to enjoy.
There are still some cup games to play and look no further than Totnes and Dartington from Division Two who take on Premier Division Brixham AFC at Dartington.
In the Premier there is a South Hams derby at East Allington who take on Beesands Rovers.
There could also be a decent game at Windmill Hill when Ilsington Villa will be looking to remain unbeaten but I think that Waldon Athletic will have other ideas.
In One, two of the top four meet at Ivybridge where Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds are the visitors.
Game of the day in Two is Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds who play Bovey Tracey 2nds, Spurs will be looking to bounce back after their Fred Hewings cup exit.
In Three the stand-out game is likely to be first versus second at Long Lane, where Stoke Gabriel TP will be looking to close the gap between them and Watcombes Wanderers 2nds. And in Four it is also first versus seond where Liverton United 2nds host Kingsteignton Athletic.