All about Bert, Bovey and Barton in local footy

Image from Emily Woodbridge

The only winners in this week’s Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League were Bovey, Barton and Bert.

Storm Bert had the biggest win, successfully knocking out 25 of 27 games due to be played. The league management, who had been tracking the storm via the Met office, seem to have justified their decision to leave it as late as they could before contacting teams at 6pm on Friday to initiate their wet weather protocol, this is the first time this season that the protocol has been announced and there were no games played at step 6 or 7.

Bovey Tracey were also winners, their game against Paignton Villa went ahead on the artificial pitch at South Devon College in atrocious conditions, they came away with a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Neil Last and Alister Chuchup. Asley Beecham was on target for the Villa, who stay well placed in fourth and just six points off the top two.

Bovey, however, are maintaining their challenge on Phoenix and True Blues at the top of Division One.

Barton Athletic reserves also won and only for the second time this season. Again, it was an artificial pitch that survived what the storm could throw at the players at Paignton Community College, a 2-1 victory with a double strike from Mathew Ward was enough to move Athletic out of the bottom two and leave the visitors Broadhempston Utd fourth from bottom after a promising start to the season.

Games to catch on Saturday, November 30.

The top game in the Premier Division takes place at Newton Rec, where 66 just have to cross the road to meet their closest rivals Spurs in a very local Newton Abbot derby game that should be full of action.

In Division One, the league favourites visit the Bay once again and all eyes will be on JC Park to see if Brixham Town can be the first team to take all the points from a Plymouth Phoenix team full of quality for this level.

Also, on the other side of Brixham at Wall Park, AFC welcome WBB in a game that could be an opportunity for the home side to mark their first league win of the season and at South Devon College, Paignton Villa host a fourth versus top game when Plymouth True Blues are the visitors.

Herald Cup 2nd Round Draw
Buckland Athletic 2nds v Kingsteignton Athletic
Brixham AFC / Waldon Athletic v Newton Abbot 66
Kingsbridge and Kellaton Utd v Liverton Utd
Broadhempston Utd v South Brent
Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds v Beesands Rovers
East Allington Utd v Kingskerswell
Plymouth Phoenix v Watts Blake Bearne
Stoke Gabriel TP 2nds v Plymouth True Blues
Mount Gould v Ashburton
Chudleigh Athletic v Harbertonford
Paignton Saints v Newton Rovers
Brixham Town v Ivybridge Town 2nds
Bovey Tracey 2nds v Barton Athletic
Teign Village v Buckfastleigh Rangers
Windmill v Paignton Villa
Drake v Watcombe Wanderers

Fred Hewings Cup Quarter Finals
Brixham Town 2nds / Liverton Utd 2nds v Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds
East Allington Utd 2nds v Paignton Saints 2nds
Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds v Elburton Villa 3rds
Totnes and Dartington 2nds v Watcombe Wanderers 2nds