Spurs and Saints go marching on

Whilst most South Devon League players were enjoying a return to Saturday league and cup action, the players from Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds and Paignton Saints were in County Cup semi-final action against Lympstone (East Devon) and AFC Dumnonii (North Devon).

Both were successful and set up a mouthwatering all South Devon League County Cup final due to be played at Coach Road, which is, of course, the home of Paignton Saints, on May 18.

Spurs had to go to a penalty shoot-out which they won by 4-2 after Joe Bushin and Aiden Blackie had scored in normal time, and Saints were more comfortable with a 4-0 home win against a north Woolacombe outfit that endured a 150-mile round trip to play the game.

James Spence, Josh Pagett,Eden Cresswell-Cluer and Jamie Micklewright were on target for the Saints.

In the Torbay Clearance Services Herald Cup, Division One outfit Brixham Town had a trip up to the Moors to take on Ilsington Villa, who are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier Division. The visitors certainly gave Villa a good game but they are not where they are by luck and goals from Jamie Beer, Jack Langford and Jamie Soper were enough to keep the Moorland momentum going.

In the Premier Division, Buckfastleigh Rangers moved into fourth place with a tricky 3-1 win at Brixham AFC and Cole Feasby was the hero for Waldon Athletic, who just got past Beesands Rovers in a tough mid-table affair at Windmill Hill.

The game between East Allington Utd and Kingsteignton Athletic was abandoned on 80 minutes, when the South Hams was hit by a freak hailstorm, which made the pitch unplayable, the home team were winning 3-2 at the time.

With four of the top five in Division One in cup action, Ivybridge Town took advantage and have gone three points clear at the top with a 4-2 win against Paignton Villa, they have also opened up an 11-point gap to Totnes and Dartington in third and a 12-point gap to Newton Abbot Spurs in fourth.

At the bottom, it’s now looking like one from three to join Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds in Division Two next season. Harbertonford picked up a point at Buckfastleigh, thanks to goals from Alan Hamlet and Tom Comyn rolling back the years.

The other two in danger both lost tight games, Babbacombe Corries 3-1 at Buckland Athletic and Upton Athletic came close to taking something from the game against Watcombe Wanderers but the Greens won it 2-1.

In Division Two, Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds are four points clear at the top following a 6-1 demolition job at Ipplepen Athletic. Rhys Fewings and Deven Webb got a brace with Thomas Slocombe and Loius Green getting singles.

At the bottom of the division, a big well done to Brixham Town 2nds, who have struggled all season just to field a second team but came out on top against a well-drilled Waldon Athletic side by six goals to three.

Just to remind readers, it was Brixham Town 2nds that stepped forward to fill a vacancy when others refused and their season in Division Two looks to be short-lived but well done for keeping the team going during a season of struggles.

In Division Three of the Torbay Clearance Services League, Liverton Utd’s progress was put on hold by Paignton Saints 3rds at Halford, 3-3 was the final score, which allowed Totnes and Dartington 2nds to move above them with a 6-1 thumping of Stoke Gabriel TP at Foxhole. Ben Hartnett-Davis scored a hat-trick and there were singles for Shane Coredroy, Jordan Baxter, Bradley Spriggs and Scott Troth. The result also leaves Stoke looking over their shoulders, as the teams below them have four games in hand.

In the Divisional Cup for this League, Teign Village, who had only won twice this season, came away from Waldon Athletic 3rds with a great 7-3 victory and a place in the semi-finals.

In Division Four, the games played went with the form book, Chudleigh Athletic 2nds are the new leaders but only have three games to play. A 5-0 win at Barton Athletic 2nds with goals from Ben Hamilton Hill (2), James Bowden, Matt Furnell and Lloyd Hitchins secured the points for the Maroons.

Liverton Utd 2nds moved into third place with a 5-3 win at Broadhempston Utd in heavy conditions, the home team were 3 – 1 up at the break but a quick second-half hat-trick for Des Bridgeman made sure of the points for Livvy.

Elburton Villa 3rds also continue to progress and a 9-0 home win against bottom of the division Paignton Villa 3rds keeps them well placed for promotion, although they will need to use some midweeks for games as they still have 13 to fit in before the season ends.

My games to catch next week in the Torbay Clearance Services League are mostly delayed Herald or divisional cup games that start at 2pm.

Waldon Athletic host Ilsington Villa at Windmill Hill that in the game of the day, others include Brixham Town at home to Paignton Saints 2nds and an interesting game at Elburton Villa where Newton Abbot Spurs are the visitors.

If you don’t fancy going all the way to Plymouth for your Saturday fix, Ivybridge Town face Paignton Saints in a Divisional Cup game, which will be a rehearsal for a massive league fixture soon to be played.

Morley Rangers will be hoping that their delayed Herald Cup game versus Watts Blake Bearne will go ahead at the fifth attempt, as manager Craig Taylor told me that after six weeks with no football, he is not sure that the kit will fit the players.

For all South Devon League fixtures check Full Time, search South Devon Football League and click on fixtures, enjoy your football fix this Saturday.