SDFL Round-Up 21.01.23
Premier Division Watts Blake Bearne threw down the gauntlet to their Torbay Clearance Services Herald Cup rivals by hammering Division One opponents Torquay Town 8-0 at the Denbury Playing Fields en route to the quarter-finals. Cam Gill led the charge with a brace, and he was joined on the score-sheet by Ben Berrow, Ryan Clarke, Mike Tapper, Billy Clinch, Beck Hannah and Sam Stowell, writes Neil Hocking.
Last year’s semi-finalists Ilsington Villa, from Division One, were given a stern test by Second Division Newton Abbot Spurs Thirds who took the lead twice at Lewthorne Cross through Luis Green and Deven Webb, Dan Langford and George Harris pulling Villa level each time. Langford finally saw the home side through, providing the decisive finish, after great work from Matt Warman, with ten minutes to go.
Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police Reserves, who also made the semis last season, booked their place in the quarter finals by beating fellow Torbay side Babbacombe Corinthians 2-1 at South Devon Sports Centre. Corries have had a good season so far and play in Division One of the Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League, a division higher than their opponents. But the Police, under new manager Dale Timblin, put on a commanding first half performance to take a deserved 2-0 lead into the break, Joe Aldous and Callum Nightingale on target. Babbacombe did pull a goal back from the penalty spot, late in the second half, but they couldn’t prevent the Bees from making it through to the last eight.
Holders Kingsteignton Athletic will have to wait another week for their Third Round tie against fellow Premier side Elburton Villa Reserves, while cup specialists Bovey Tracey Reserves, the only Division Three side left in the competition, will host Premier Division side Ivybridge Town Reserves as they compete for the remaining quarter-final spot.
Premier Division outfit Newton Abbot ’66 are through to the last eight after beating Division Two side Brixham Town at Furzeham Green. Liam Ashwell scored twice for the Sixes with Sean Boldick and Joe Clark-Farley also finding the net in a 4-2 win.
East Allington United, who made it through to the quarter-finals the previous week, were in league action at home to Waldon Athletic. Despite going in to half-time a goal down, the Pirates turned things around with goals from Fin Bullen, Fred Massey and, from the penalty spot, Josef Sita.
Division One leaders Beesands Rovers have reached the midway point of their season without losing a game. Jack Eades scored twice, and Louis Brace found the net in a 3-0 victory away at Upton Athletic. Dean Jenkins scored twice for Morley Rangers in an eventful 2-0 win at Plymstock School Sports Centre which saw both Rangers and Harbertonford reduced to ten men. The Plymouth side move level on points with second-placed Ilsington.
Watcombe Wanderers extended their lead in Division Two to nine points with a convincing 5-0 home win over East Allington United Reserves. Laurence Macleod headed the Greens into an early lead before Sam Pyne put them two up at half-time with a deflected shot. Pyne finished off a great home move ten minutes into the second half, Cal Vickery showing some great build-up play, before young Reef Beer came off the bench to head home on his debut. Eliott McIntosh scored Watcombe’s fifth, a close range effort following a corner.
Waldon Athletic Reserves went eleven points clear in Division Three. The Clarets scored four in each half against Barton Athletic Reserves with Josh Clarke putting away a hat-trick, Shane Essam scoring twice and Wayne Bergin, Kyle Doughty and Stephen Rohan also netting.
Newton Abbot ’66 Reserves climbed to second in the table by beating Brixham Town Reserves 4-1 at Osborne Park. Paignton Saints Thirds won 5-2 at Chudleigh Athletic Reserves to lift themselves off the foot of the table, Matt Reed with a hat-trick.
A home win by South Brent over Kingsteignton Athletic Reserves sees them move up to equal second on points.
