Spurs shine in Devon Premier Cup as Plymouth teams dominate

The Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League enjoyed another dramatic week, with clubs finding inventive ways to get games played despite the adverse weather.

Devon Premier Cup Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds were the last SDFL representatives in the Devon Premier Cup, travelling to Step 7 club Alphington to play a twice-postponed quarter-final at Exwick’s 3G pitch.

Spurs fought valiantly, with goals from Matt Williams and Lewis Jordain‑Garner, but fell short as the Exeter side scored five times to progress. All four semi-finalists now come from Step 7, with all potentially stepping up to Step 6 SWPL next season. Congratulations to Spurs and Ilsington Villa for reaching the quarter-finals.

Premier Division Action The weather continued to wreak havoc on the weekend program, leaving only four fixtures playable. Windmill FC became the latest club to hire a 3G pitch, hosting Chudleigh Athletic at Ivybridge School. The top-two defences faced off in a scrappy encounter, with Windmill emerging 2–1 winners thanks to goals from Miles Hunt and Jack Briscoe. The win lifts them one point clear of True Blues at the top of the table.

For the first time in league history, Plymouth-based teams occupy the top three spots. Lakeside Athletic claimed a thrilling 3–2 victory over Paignton Saints at Coach Road, with David Moore scoring twice and JJ Honeywell returning to the scoresheet. Saints, despite a strong showing, finished with ten men following a last-minute sin bin. The current biggest challengers sit in sixth, seventh, and eighth place, and with games in hand, the division could yet open up again.

Division Two Signal Box Oak Villa extended their lead at the top to seven points with a 5–3 win at Manadon 3G over local rivals Ivybridge Town. Callum Austin, Harley Mitchell, Bobby Stone, and Finley Demsey‑Comerford, who scored twice, sealed the victory, leaving Corries and Ashburton as their main challengers.

Division Four Teign Village kept the pressure on leaders Waldon Ath with a narrow 2–1 win over Paignton Saints 3rds at South Devon College 3G, courtesy of goals from Alex Eason and Tom Beer. The division looks set to be a two-horse race depending on Waldon Ath’s games in hand.

Upcoming Fixtures – Saturday, February 7 The Herald Cup third round, sponsored by Torbay Clearance Services, promises excitement. Key ties include:

Mill Marsh Park Moorland Derby: Premier division Ilsington Villa vs. inform Bovey Tracey (Division One), river levels permitting.

Galmpton Utd vs. Windmill FC: Division Three hosts Premier Division visitors.

Local derbies: Lakeside Athletic face Buckfastleigh Rangers, while Paignton Saints welcome Newton Abbot Spurs.

Other notable matches: Harbertonford may need to switch their home tie to Elburton Villa due to waterlogged pitches, and Division Two promotion contenders Ashburton visit Ivybridge Town.