Paignton parity on a soggy Saturday

Our lush green fields were reduced to a brown sludge on the weekend, leaving just five games to reach the final whistle in the South Devon Football League.

It was derby day in Division 2, and third-placed Paignton Saints 2nds were held to a 1-1 draw by Paignton Villa 2nds. The aptly-named Danny Rainbow scored for Saints, with Liam Jones on target for Villa. In Division 1, Babbacombe Corries beat Buckfastleigh 4-3 and there were cup wins for Ashburton Association, and Barton Athletic 1sts and 2nds.  

The rest of the Devon football programme was also battered by the relentless rain of the past week, forcing postponements all across the leagues.

Among the few survivors were three games played in the quarter-finals of the Peninsula League Walter C Parson Cup, and heartbreak for Axminster Town, as they were beaten 1-0 by a last-minute goal from Elburton Villa’s Charlie Stearnes.

There was more drama on the Cornish coast, where Newquay drew 1-1 with Bridport and the Dorset side prevailed on penalties. Defending champions Okehampton Argyle had a far more comfortable afternoon, overpowering Mullion with a 4-1 victory, Josh Coles (2), Luke Alden and Dan Koita scoring the goals. St Austell face Camelford in the remaining quarter-final.

In the league, leaders Ivybridge Town continued their procession to the title with a hardworking 1-0 win over Torrington, while Bovey Tracey proved too strong for a battling Dartmouth, winning 4-0 on the Moors.

Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police produced a fine performance to defeat high-flying Cullompton Rangers. Ben Aldous and Jordan Thomas notched for an improving Stoke. The final game saw Bishops Lydeard defeat Torridgeside 3-1.

There is growing excitement at Tavistock AFC in Division One South of the Southern League, as the Lambs moved to within four points of the play-off positions with a gritty 1-0 victory at Melksham Town. Joe O’Loughlin scored the only goal for Tavvy, who have games in hand on the teams above them.

Sadly for Exmouth Town, time is running out in their quest for survival. Exmouth remain five points adrift in the one relegation spot after a 1-0 home defeat to Bashley, a side they were hoping to pull down into the mire.

Ilfracombe Town endured a tough afternoon in the Toolstation Western League, losing 3-0 at home to title-chasing Clevedon Town, while a brace from Jared Lewington was enough for Buckland Athletic to triumph 2-1 at Street. 

The University of Exeter cemented their place at the top of the Devon Football League with a 6-0 trouncing of Barnstaple Town 2nds, while struggling Feniton lost 1-0 at home to Plymouth Marjon, Beer Albion went down 1-0 at Newtown and Ottery St Mary beat Elmore 3-2.

The draw for the semi-final of the Devon Women's Football League Cups has thrown up some fantastic ties across the region, with the matches to be played before Sunday, March 10.

North/East Cup
Appledore FC v RBL Alphington or Bradworthy Women
Honiton Women v Braunton Women

South/West Cup
Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police v Plympton Ladies
Shaldon Villa v SB Oak Villa