DEFL

ACROSS the nine divisions of the Devon & Exeter Football League, only three games took place this weekend.

Millwey Rise 2nd XI drew 3-3 with Tedburn St Marys 3rd XI in Division Eight whilst Uffculme beat Sidmouth Town 3rd XI in Division Three, 3-1.

The only other fixture took place at Coach Road, with Teignmouth 2nd XI taking on Elmore 2nd XI and it was the Teigns who came out on top. Aaron Gooding was named as the Man of the Match as he fired home a brilliant half-volley in the 2-0 victory.

With no midweek fixtures to deal with, Teignmouth know that they will go into the final round of fixtures of November in third place in Division One.

Their record of 5-2-2 has them on 17 points, one behind Ottery St Mary AFC 2nd XI and two behind leaders East Budleigh 1st XI, both of who have played one less game than Teignmouth.

SDFL

Similarly to the D&E Football League, the Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League was plagued by countless cancellations.

The only winners in this week's South Devon Football League were Bovey, Barton and Bert, writes Alastair Muirden.

Bert had the biggest win successfully knocking out 25 of 27 games due to be played. The league management, who had been tracking the storm via the Met office, seem to have justified their decision to leave it as late as they could before contacting teams at 6pm on Friday to initiate their wet weather protocol, this is the first time this season that the protocol has been announced and there were no games played at step six or seven.

Bovey Tracey were also winners, their game against Paignton Villa went ahead on the artificial pitch at South Devon College in atrocious conditions. They came away with a 3–1 win thanks to goals from Neil Last and Alister Chuchup- Asley Beecham was on target for the Villa who stay well placed in fourth and just 6 points off the top two.

Bovey however, are maintaining their challenge on Phoenix and True Blues at the top of Division One.

Barton Athletic reserves also won and only for the second time this season. Again, it was an artificial pitch that survived what the storm could throw at the players at Paignton Community College. A 2–1 victory with a double strike from Mathew Ward was enough to move Athletic out of the bottom two and leave the visitors Broadhempston Utd fourth from bottom after a promising start to the season.

PREVIEWS

Looking ahead now and the top game in the Premier Division takes place at Newton Rec, where 66 just have to cross the road to meet their closest rivals Spurs in a very local Newton Abbot derby game that should be full of action.

In Division One, the league favourites visit the bay once again and all eyes will be on JC Park to see if Brixham Town can be the first team to take all the points from a Plymouth Phoenix team full of quality for this level.

Also, on the other side of Brixham at Wall Park, AFC welcome WBB in a game that could be an opportunity for the home side to mark their first league win of the season and at South Devon College, Paignton Villa host a fourth versus top game when Plymouth True Blues are the visitors.

Finally, here are the draws for the next stage of the Herald Cup and Fred Hewings Cup in full.

Herald Cup second round:

Buckland Athletic 2nds V Kingsteignton Athletic

Brixham AFC / Waldon Athletic V Newton Abbot 66

Kingsbridge and Kellaton Utd V Liverton Utd

Broadhempston Utd V South Brent

Newton Abbot Spurs 2nds V Beesands Rovers

East Allington Utd V Kingskerswell

Plymouth Phoenix V Watts Blake Bearne

Stoke Gabriel TP 2nds V Plymouth True Blues

Mount Gould V Ashburton

Chudleigh Athletic V Harbertonford

Paignton Saints V Newton Rovers

Brixham Town V Ivybridge Town 2nds

Bovey Tracey 2nds V Barton Athletic

Teign Village V Buckfastleigh Rangers

Windmill V Paignton Villa

Drake V Watcombe Wanderers

Games to be played on 07/12/24 subject to pitch availability.

Fred Hewings Cup quarter finals:

Brixham Town 2nds / Liverton Utd 2nds V Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds

East Allington Utd 2nds V Paignton Saints 2nds

Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds V Elburton Villa 3rds

Totnes and Dartington 2nds V Watcombe Wanderers 2nds

Games to be played on 07/12/24 subject to pitch availability.