IN A week where eight South Devon League fixtures were played without an official referee due to county cup games taking preference, a big thank you goes to those volunteers who took control of games to get them played ahead of the grassroots winter break, reports Alastair Muirden.

HERALD CUP

The big game in the Herald Cup was at Windmill Hill, where top of the Premier Division Waldon Athletic welcomed 3rd placed Newton Abbot 66 in what was an excellent game for this level of football.

Honours on the day and a place in the next round went to Waldon who defeated Newton Abbot 66 by the odd goal in five, strikes from Craig Duff, Harrison Arnold and Oliver Moxham were just enough for the cup favourites to progress.

With respect to all of the teams playing in the second round, it is fair to say that all games went to form and there were no banana skin incidents to report.

East Allington Utd were given a good game by undefeated Kingskerswell from Division Four but they proved too strong for the visitors winning by five goals to two. On the score sheet for the Pirates were doubles for Josep Sita and Fred Massey with a single for Daniel Bowles.

Chudleigh Athletic also progressed to round three, dispatching Harbertonford by seven goals to nil in a one-sided affair at Kate Brook, Charlie Forey and Sam Clarke got a brace with Thomas Corben and Gavin & Jason Lake adding singles.

On the other hand, Buckfastleigh Rangers were given a scare at Division Four side Teign Village but made it through with a 3-1 victory thanks to goals from Lewis Clarke and Tyler Wark.

In the all-Division One tie, Windmill put six goals passed Paignton Villa who did not enjoy a good day at the office in Plymouth.

The final Herald Cup game was between Division Four outfit Broadhempston Utd and South Brent, who play in Division Three. It was the visitors from Division Three who also scored six goals and secured their place in round three.

PREMIER DIVISION

In the Premier Division, it will be Ilsington Villa who enjoy top spot for Christmas, a 1-nil win at Coach Road against a stubborn Paignton Saints side, who at times were the better team but could not find the target when they needed too, Jack Langford hitting the only goal of the game.

Totnes and Dartington also picked up a valuable win in what has been a very sad week for the club who announced the tragic loss of Sammy Brown at such a young age. The points gained in a 4-1 win at Elburton Villa are not really important in the scheme of things but they do see Tots in mid table and Elburton will be holding the wooden spoon over the winter break.

Newton Abbot Spurs had a fantastic result, beating Kingsteignton Athletic 6-1 at The Rec to keep themselves in contention for honours, Jamie Micklewright was again on target for Spurs with a brace and Kye Drinkwater, Tom Lobb and Callum Fice added to the days total.

DIVISION ONE

There was only one league game played in Division One due to the county cups and it was at Ivybridge Town, where Newton Abbot Spurs had a great 8-2 win that leaves one of the pre-season favourites at the wrong end of the table and needing to put some wins on the board in the second half of the season.

Luis Green scored four and there was a hat trick for Toby Pullman assisted by a single for Albie Baker for Spurs.

DIVISION TWO

In Division Two, the big game at Liverton was won by the visitors Barton Athletic by five goals to one, the result puts Barton six points clear at the top but they will know that second placed Mount Gould have four games in hand and are still in three cups, so will have some extra games to play in the new year.

Paignton Villa 2nds have moved into fifth place following a 4-1 derby win versus Saints 2nds. Alex Narvidge was the Man of the Match, scoring a hat trick for the Villa and securing the points for the Clarets on a cold December day. Elsewhere in Division Two, Newton Rovers and Upton Athletic shared the points after a 5-5 draw at Bakers Park.

DIVISION THREE

At the top of Division Three, Elburton Villa 3rds won the Plymouth derby against Drake by three goals to nil and in doing so, have put a dent in Drake’s promotion hopes, but keep theirs firmly intact.

Both Waldon Athletic 2nds and Totnes and Dartington 2nds won their games against Paignton Saints 3rds and Brixham Town 2nds to remain safe in mid table.

DIVISION FOUR

In Division Four, Templar Way took advantage of the top two being on cup duty by dispatching Paignton Villa 3rds by five goals to one and reducing the gap to just three points at the top.

Waldon Athletic 3rds completed a hat trick of wins for the Torquay based club by defeating Newton Rovers 2nds 3-2 at Cricketfield Road, in front of a decent support who preferred to take in a game instead of Christmas shopping.

CHRISTMAS BREAK

The South Devon Football League enjoys a winter break to allow all stakeholders to spend some quality time with family and friends and the next Saturday of fixtures is 4th January 2025.

Happy Christmas to all the volunteers, players and club officials that do what they do for football in South Devon.