Wattsies on fire in rain-soaked South Devon football Saturday

Rain reduced the South Devon grassroots football programme to just one league game that had a massive impact at the top of Division Two, one Herald Cup tie that went the distance and two of our teams playing each other for a place in a County Cup Quarter Final.

Watts Blake Bearne took top plaudits following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Paignton Villa in the County Senior Cup at South Devon College (full report on Davesworld). Goals from Fraser Hossack, Billy Robbins and Ant Williams have set up a quarter final tie at Elmore 2nds, who are not having a great season in their division having won only once at home so far.

The achievement from WBB this season should not be overlooked as it was just 12 months ago they sat down with the league management to present a survival plan. At present, the Quarter Final is due to be played on February 21.

In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries were quick off the mark to hire the 3G at Paignton Community College to get a game played, The visitors, East Allington Utd 2nds, had a full squad available to choose from and the extra players that were available clearly made a difference.

Goals from Jake Blamey (2), Harry Witham and Sam Quick gave the Pirates a 4-1 victory that moves them up to joint fourth with Paignton Villa 2nds and just one point behind Ivybridge Town.

Corries are still in second place with two games in hand and a five-point gap but above them Signal Box are now seven points clear having played one more game.

The Herald Cup game that was played courtesy of the artificial surface at Coach Road, and an all-Premier Division clash between Paignton Saints and Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds.

The game was, as expected, a tight affair between the two teams sitting in 5th and 6th in the division, Saints were in front for a long period following a great strike from Jake Powell and looked as if they were going to run out 1-0 winners but a late goal from Aiden Blackie sent the game into extra time.

Neither defence could be breached again and a penalty shoot-out was going to appoint the first team into this season’s Quarter Final. Even the shoot-out was a tense affair with Saints scoring all five and Spurs missing their fifth kick.

Games to hopefully catch on Saturday. February 14:

Division Three side Galmpton United host Premier Division outfit Windmill in a banana skin Herald Cup fixture and WBB face an Ashburton side in what could be a tasty tie.

In the Premier Division, East Allington host Newton Abbot 66, who really need to get some games played, and Ilsington Villa play Kingsteignton Athletic in a game that normally showcases Premier Division football at its best.

The big game in Division Two features the top two teams, Signal Box and Babbacombe Corries, in a don’t-lose-game for Corries, while in Division Three, South Brent become the latest team to try to get that unbeaten record from Kingskerswell.

All fixtures are on the SDFL full time website, cup games KO 2pm league games 2.30pm. Enjoy your grassroots football, weather permitting.