South Devon groundstaff win the day as League battles the storm

South Devon’s dedicated groundstaff proved the real winners this weekend as Storm Goretti failed to derail a packed football schedule across the South Devon Football League.

With only a handful of weather-related postponements, the league successfully cleared delayed Herald Cup fixtures and fitted in several much-needed league games.

There were headline results across the divisions, beginning in the Premier Division where East Allington United climbed to third place with an impressive 3–0 victory over the league leaders. Goals from Finn Bullen and Finn Billingham helped banish the disappointment of the previous week’s setback. Despite the defeat, the True Blues remain top of the table, albeit having played a game more.

Chudleigh Athletic continued their strong form with a 3–1 home win over Paignton Saints. Kia Stocker and a brace from Gavin Lake secured another important victory, allowing Chudleigh to leapfrog Ilsington Villa and open up a seven-point cushion from the relegation places. Kingsteignton Athletic also claimed a vital six-pointer at the lower end of the table, edging Totnes and Dartington 2–1. The result moves the Rams into the same seven-point safety margin, while the visitors drop to joint bottom alongside Buckfastleigh Rangers, who were on cup duty.

Lakeside Athletic finally returned to league action after a long absence caused by postponements and cup commitments, their last league outing having come on 1 November. The wait proved worthwhile as they secured a crucial 3–2 win over reigning champions Newton Abbot Spurs. Goals from Carlton Allen, Adam Carter and Taylor Owen earned three valuable points, leaving Lakeside six points behind second place with no games in hand.

In the Herald Cup, two Premier Division sides progressed against lower-league opposition in contrasting fashion. Ilsington Villa ran riot at Baker’s Park, scoring 14 unanswered goals against Division Two side Newton Rovers, who never stopped battling. Dan Langford stole the show with six goals, while Jack Langford and James Kervella both completed hat-tricks.

Elsewhere, Buckfastleigh Rangers were pushed to their limits in the A38 derby at South Brent. After a thrilling 3–3 draw, the tie went to extra time, where new signing Dylan Rangecroft struck the decisive goal to seal a 4–3 victory. The win marked Buckfastleigh’s first since 18 October and secured their place in round three, which will be drawn on Monday 19 January.

Division One produced one of the most unpredictable days in recent memory, with eight teams now firmly in the promotion picture. Barton Athletic earned a deserved 1–1 draw away at Mount Gould, a difficult venue where few teams take points. The Torquay side now sit eight points off the top with two games in hand.

Beesands Rovers fought back twice to claim a hard-earned 3–2 win at Brixham Town, with Joe Craig scoring twice and Jack Hopkiss also on target. The victory lifts Beesands joint top at the halfway stage of the season. Brixham, meanwhile, have now suffered back-to-back defeats but sit just one point behind leaders Paignton Villa, who drew 1–1 with Bovey Tracey in a closely contested match at South Devon College.

The biggest beneficiaries of the weekend were WBB and Elburton Villa, both not in league action. They remain eighth points behind the leaders in seventh place but boast four games in hand in an extremely competitive division. Buckland Athletic’s cup tie against Division Three Galmpton United provided entertainment, but it was the visitors who impressed, claiming a shock 4–1 victory to continue their strong return to SDFL football.

In Division Two, Signal Box Oak Villa stayed firmly on track for promotion with a commanding 9–1 win over Upton Athletic at Armada Park. Babbacombe Corinthians maintained their unbeaten run but dropped points in a 2–2 draw with Paignton Villa seconds, with Alex Chamberlain and Joshua Easterbrook scoring for the Corries. Drake FC also lost ground after being held 3–3 at home by East Allington United seconds.

Ashburton advanced in the Herald Cup with a comfortable 4–0 win over Bere Alston United, while Watcombe Wanderers seconds deserve special praise after overcoming a difficult December to defeat in-form Chudleigh Athletic seconds in the Fred Hewings Cup. Goals from Jordan Peircy, Will Godfrey and a hat-trick from club stalwart Sean Finch sealed an impressive victory.

Division Three saw just one league fixture, with Liverton United seconds cruising to an 8–1 win over Waldon Athletic seconds. The result secures Liverton a comfortable mid-table position, while Waldon remain joint bottom. In Division Four, Teign Village closed to within three points of leaders Chudleigh Athletic after a 6–0 win over Paignton Saints thirds. Paignton Villa thirds also impressed, winning 4–2 at Broadhempston United to move into fourth place.

Attention now turns to Saturday 17 January, with several fixtures set to shape the month ahead. In-form Chudleigh Athletic host Lakeside Athletic, East Allington United face Windmill in a key second-versus-third clash, and Division One features a promotion six-pointer as Brixham Town welcome Barton Athletic. With compelling games across the divisions, South Devon’s grassroots football continues to thrive despite the winter conditions.

Enjoy your grassroots football.