IT IS always disappointing to have to report the demise of any team and not for the first time this season, another club in Watts Blake Bearne, have decided that it is time to call it a day and have given the SDFL notice to withdraw, reports Alastair Muirden.

The rules state that they must now enter a period of discussion with the league management to try to save the club who have 35 registered players. They will be given four weeks without fixtures to attempt to reset and complete the season.

Storm Eowyn also played a part in this week’s grassroots football knocking out 12 of the 25 games that were due to be played but in the 13 that were played, there were plenty of goals and talking points.

PREMIER DIVISION

It is as you were at the top of the Premier Division position-wise, but Ilsington Villa were held to a 1–1 draw by Waldon Athletic in a game that would not have been out of place in the pyramid. Jack Langford was again on target for the Moorlanders, but it was not enough to win the game and the Torquay-based team remain in 3rd place, just two points off the lead.

In fact, only four points separate the top four teams in what is turning out to be a very tight title race.

Sandwiched between these two on goal difference are Newton Abbot 66, who had a massive scare at Beesands Rovers. In the end, goals from Ashley Dove, Callum Foskett and Joe Clarke Farley cancelled out the two home team goals to keep Sixes in the mix.

Buckfastleigh Rangers have also moved into a challenging position with a 2-nil win at Paignton Saints, Tyler Wark was the Rangers hero with both goals. The win puts Rangers into fourth place just 4 points shy of 66 with a game in hand.

East Allington Utd finally secured their first win in 2025 by beating Elburton Villa by six goals to two, in a game where the venue was switched on Saturday morning by the hosts to ensure that it went ahead, so well done to the management at Villa for being proactive.

Finley Bullen moved up the golden boot ranks by netting four goals with singles from Dan Hurrell and Fred Massey putting the Pirates towards mid-table.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, only two games survived and both were mid-table games. Firstly, Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds continue on their rollercoaster of a season, this time they were on the up with a 3–2 win at Paignton Villa thanks to a Toby Pullman hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Buckland Athletic, who lead the mid-table pack, had a good 3–2 victory at Watcombe Wanderers, but they remain seven points off the top four.

Interestingly in this division, Paignton Villa only have seven games left in the league and Phoenix have 13 plus interest in two cups- one reason is that Phoenix have been fixtured twice to play Brixham AFC and WBB who are both on a short leave from league games, as they continue to work with the league to keep their teams afloat.

DIVISION TWO

In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries moved into second place with a fantastic 5–3 victory against league leaders Barton Athletic. Keiron Sweet bagged a brace and there were singles from Jack Cole, Joshua Easterbrook and James Thompson that put Corries 6 points from top spot with two games in hand.

Barton only have eight games to play so they could need to win seven of them for a top-two place. Mount Gould remain favourites with 14 games remaining and were victims of the wet weather.

East Allington 2nds are also in contention and have games in hand, a comfortable 5–1 home win versus Newton Rovers sees them move up to 6th place.

At the other end of the table, Ipplepen Athletic 2nds and Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds remain a few points from safety. The Pens lost 5-nil at home to Paignton Saints 2nds and Rangers put up a fight at Watcombe Wanderers 2nds but lost 4–3 in the end.

DIVISION THREE

The big game in division three saw Ashburton and Stoke Gabriel TP share the points in a 2–2 draw, Daniel Treseze scored both the goals for the home team who also had a substitute sent off in what must have been a short spell on the pitch.

In the only other game to be played in this division, South Brent picked up a valuable win that gives them a bit of a cushion over the bottom two Paignton Saints 3rds and Brixham Town 2nds who were both rained off.

DIVISION FOUR

In Division Four, Templar Way closed the gap at the top but used another game. They are now five points from Kingskerswell who have played two games less. They had to work hard to overcome Kingsbridge and Kellaton Utd, a 4–3 scoreline with goals from Bradley and JJ Breslen with another single for Alfie Moffatt keeps Templar in the mix for second place, they also finished the game with ten players.

Paignton Villa 3rds also had a good win, a 4–3 victory at home to Broadhempston Utd sees them safely into mid-table and Broadhempston just six points above the bottom two.

PREVIEWS

The divisional cups get under way providing all clubs with the shortest route to winning a trophy.

An absolute belter in the Belli Cup and my game of the day, a repeat of last season’s Herald Cup semi-final as well as a local derby at Osbourne Park, sees Newton Abbot 66 and Newton Abbot Spurs lock horns at 2pm.

In division One’s Dartmouth Cup, can Watcombe Wanderers overcome Windmill in what will be a tricky test for the Plymouth outfit?

The division two knockout competition offers another local derby in Barton Athletic versus Watcombe Wanderers 2nds at Paignton Community College.

Liverton Utd 2nds travel to the Manadon Sports Hub to play Drake FC in Division Three’s Ronald Cup and in the Division Four cup, at Bakers Park, Newton Rovers 2nds meet Templar Way in what could be an interesting game as the visitors are looking for some silverware in their first season in the competition.

All cup games kick off at 2pm. Enjoy your grassroots football.