Classy Karl Guides Dartmouth to County Cup Final
Former Peninsula Premier side Dartmouth AFC took a big step towards bringing success back to Longcross with a 4-1 win over rivals East Allington United in a battling Firewatch Devon Senior Cup semi-final. Standout wide man Karl Baker starred with two goals and two assists to book a final place against either Park United or Exwick Villa Reserves.
Gary Lobb’s Division One high-fliers made an ideal start with Baker setting up Mark Forrester for an opener within the first minute. And United faced an uphill battle when the same pair combined for Forrester to score again before quarter of an hour had passed. Dartmouth then seemed to take their foot off the pedal a little, and the visitors came right back into the match, pulling a goal back early in the second period. Then Dartmouth upped the ante again, and created plenty of trouble for the East Allington defence, Dan Broadway making his presence felt in no uncertain terms while Baker displayed some mesmerising footwork. It was he who restored the two goal cushion, smashing home a 40 yard through-ball from Forrester, and Baker wrapped up the points when he broke through into the box and slotted past the keeper, just inside the near post. Despite some heated exchanges during this local derby, East Allington were quick to congratulate their neighbours who will now fly both the South Hams and SDFL flags in the final.
DARTMOUTH ARE BACK! Gary Lobb’s side celebrate semi-final win
Over in Torquay, Watcombe Wanderers were also celebrating with a 3-1 victory at Upton Athletic in the Graddon Vending Devon Premier Cup. Sean Finch was again on song, scoring twice, with Mike Fieldhouse also finding the net.
Scott Dodgson continued his spell of form with four of his sides goals as Ivybridge Town Reserves crashed out 5-2 at Erme Valley in the George Belli Cup quarter-finals. Ben Adams netted the visitors’ other goal as they edge closer to consecutive finals.
Defending champions Buckland Athletic Reserves moved up to third in the league with a 2-0 triumph over Kingsteignton Athletic; Denbow and Pike with the goals. Newton Abbot Spurs boss Scott Hayman described his side’s performance as uninspiring despite a 4-0 home win over bottom side Ipplepen Athletic. Spurs took the lead on 20 minutes, Nick Hayman scoring his fourth penalty in four games after Ryan Sanders had been brought down. The scoreline remained 1-0 until the hour mark when Ryan Sanders ran onto a loose ball to lob the onrushing Richard Mills. Number three soon followed, Harrison Thorne seeing his 25-yard effort fly into the top corner. Spurs completed the scoring on 78 minutes, Sanders again in the right place at the right time to poke home from close range. Pens hit the bar with two minutes left but Spurs held on for their second clean sheet of the season and a three points that put them level with the top sides. Kingskerswell & Chelston ended their poor run by beating Waldon Athletic 3-1, while Stoke Gabriel Reserves enjoyed yet more home success, defeating Loddiswell Athletic 2-1.
Broadhempston United repeated their surprise cup result at the Western County Roofing Ground with a 3-2 win in the league against Bovey Tracey Reserves in Division One. Sam Peardon hit a brace with Marc Hagland also finding the net. Kingskerswell & Chelston Reserves moved above Brixham Reserves with a 3-0 away win, while a single goal by Newton 66 sent Abbotskerswell to a seventh straight loss. In the Dartmouth Cup, Richard Anthony’s double-strike put Buckfastleigh Rangers into the semi-finals at the expense of Totnes & Dartington Reserves.
Division Two heavyweights Paignton Villa and Newton United contested a Lidstone Cup First Round tie at Furzeham Green, but preparations were not ideal as the sides arrived to find the flags and nets locked away. When the match finally started, United progressed with a 3-1 victory thanks to Sowerby (2) and Cartmill. Foxhole’s quest for back-to-back cups ended at Broadpark, Kingsteignton Reserves enjoying an emphatic 5-1 win in the Lidstone quarters.
Newton Spurs Thirds swept Waldon Reserves aside to book their place in the Ronald Cup semi-finals, while Buckland & Milber made short work of Chudleigh Reserves to make the last eight. Josh Moore sunk a double with Dan Steer and Shaun Maloney also on the score-sheet.
Elsewhere, Jordan Finch’s hat-trick helped propel Watcombe Wanderers Reserves into the semi-finals of the Les Bishop Cup. Joseph Mascilo (2), Sevvy Reilly and Ashley Grimes also struck away at Waldon Athletic Thirds to knock their neighbours out of another cup. Meadowbrook enjoyed some rare cheer with their first home win of the season. Scott Bastin, Lee Smith, Bradley Spriggs and James Hourihane did the damage at the Dorothy Elmhirst to eliminate Paignton Villa Reserves at the First Round stage of the Les Bishop Cup; Saints Reserves await them in the last eight.
Ryan Porter and Stewart Mitchell helped Buckfastleigh Reserves to keep pace with the firsts; the pair struck to knock out Broadhempston Reserves en route to the Bill Treeby semis.
Kingsbridge & Kellaton became the first side to book an SDFL final spot with a 3-2 win at South Hams rivals Stoke Fleming & Strete in the Ivor Andrews Cup. Watts Blake & Bearne cruised past South Brent to make the semi-finals of the Buddens Westinsure Devon Intermediate Cup; Hartland will be their opponents.
In Division Two, Beesands suffered a surprise 1-0 loss at Brixham Town. The result was good news for Harbertonford, whose 2-0 win over second place Corries moved them level on points with the Bees. Stoke Thirds completed the double over Ipplepen Reserves with a 4-1 away win; goals were provided by Beeschen, Chatfield, Blackler and Horrocks.
Leaders Ashburton slammed six past East Allington Reserves, while Totnes & Dartington Thirds increased Liverton’s woes with a 5-1 away win. The goal drought is over for Teign Village. After three barren matches, they managed five at Loddiswell Reserves; Si Davis and Mark Edmonds scored two consolations for the home side.
In Division Four, South Brent Reserves moved to third with a 4-1 win at struggling Paignton Saints Reserves. Copeman, Martyn and Fisher scored for Dittisham but Bovey Thirds also managed three to deny United a third successive home win. Ilsington and Salcombe played out a rare goal-less draw.
In Division Five, AFC Staverton lifted themselves to the top of the table with another six goal haul. The goals were spread around the team with Dan Box, Jon Parsons, Adam Slater, Martin Richards, Lee Clarke and Jim Dyer scoring in a 6-2 triumph over Roselands Reserves. Torbay Police are yet to concede this year and scored two without reply at Polonia Torbay. Riviera United secured their first win of the year with a 5-3 victory at Buckland & Milber Reserves; Dave Hopkins, Kieran Joy and Chris Meekings hit the target for the hosts.
Malborough moved up to third in Division Six with a comfortable 5-1 win over leaky Torre.
