Storm Claudia ravages the planned programme across South Devon

For the first time this season, the South Devon Football Lague management issued a wet weather protocol for clubs, with Storm Claudia severely reducing the weekend schedule.

One year ago to the day, Plymouth True Blues made it to the top of Division One after scoring three goals against Windmill. Fast forward 12 months and they are now on top of the Premier Division thanks to scoring three goals against Totnes and Dartington.

The result was testament to the quality of competition in this division, where there is little to choose between top and bottom, and on another day the visitors, who scored twice, could have got something from the game.

On target for the Blues were Tyler Almond and super sub Lee Phillips, who scored twice, as the Blues moved two points clear of windmill and sic clear of Newton Abbot 66. East Allington, who are fifth from bottom, are 11 points behind but have four games in hand.

Ashburton took advantage of the non-runners and cruised into fourth place with a 5-2 home win versus Paignton Saints 2nds thanks to goals from golden boot chaser Lee Grimshaw (2), Dan Steer, Sean Richards and Alex Hambly.

The game at Harbertonford went ahead, where normally it only has to cloud over for the game to be off, but all credit to the volunteers who managed to keep the water in the river and flowing away from the pitch. A 1-1 draw against a good Paignton Villa 2nd team keeps both teams just five points off second place and more than capable of challenging as the season goes on.

In Division Four, the only game to survive was on at Bakers Park, where Newton Rovers 2nds hosted Barton Athletic 2nds and it was the Torquay based team who came away with the points in a 2-0 win that puts them joint third with Brixham Town 2nds and Bere Alston Utd. Rovers remain rooted to the bottom and could really do with a morale-boosting win to set them up for the rest of the season.

Three games went ahead in the Devon Premier Cup and safely through to the next round are Ilsington Villa, who won at home to Sidmouth Town 2nds, 7-3. Newton Abbot Spurs won 5-2 at East Allington, but one of the favourites, Lakeside Athletic, crashed out 4-0 at Appledore.

In the Senior Cup, through to the next round are Bovey Tracey and Mount Gould who both got a walkover from North and East Devon clubs. Beesands Rovers came close but lost against Exeter opposition in a penalty shootout.

In the Intermediate Cup, Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds also lost in a penalty shootout in Exeter but well done to Totnes and Dartington 2nds, who won 1-0 versus Mid Devon club Sandymere Blues, thanks to a John Smith goal.

Games to catch this weekend

These fixtures are subject to change to allow the postponed County Cup games to be played, so please check the full time website before travelling to a game.

Whilst most fixtures in the Premier Division are big well supported games, some just catch the eye as encounters that can shape the division. One of these on Saturday includes Chudleigh Athletic hosting Buckfastleigh Rangers in a November relegation battle!

Out of form Ilsington Villa play Lakeside Athletic, who really cant afford to lose again so early in the season, while Newton Abbot 66 travel to Windmill looking to become the first team to get the better of the Plymouth side.

True Blues travel to champions and in-form Newton Abbot Spurs in an attempt to keep their own winning run intact and Totnes and Dartington host East Allington in a game where both teams could do with picking up three points.

In Division One, two of the top three meet at JC park where Brixham Town play WBB in what should be a cracker and there is an all Division One derby in the Herald Cup at Bovey Tracey where Liverton United are the visitors.

In Division Two, the top two meet at Long Lane where Babbacombe Corries take on Signal Box, who will be looking to be the first team to beat Corries this season, and in the same division Ashburton will need to be at their best to come home from Drake FC with three points.

In Division Three there is a tasty tie at Osborne Park, where Newton Abbot 66 2nds meet Kingskerswell and get their chance to beat the runaway leaders for the first time, and finally in Division Four, in what could be the South Devon League equivalent of Truro playing Gateshead is Teign Village travelling to Bere Alston in a second versus fourth fixture, safe travels.

Enjoy your grassroots football.