topsham town thorverton devon football league

Match Report: Topsham Town 0 – 0 Thorverton

Match report ©Tom Besford

This Monday night football fixture was the first meeting between Topsham Town and Thorverton this season and it was as tight as the table would suggest with the visitors in twelfth, one point and one place above their hosts. A good sized crowd turned up for what would be an entertaining fixture which just lacked some goals.

The game started slowly and all that either team could manage was tame efforts from distance, Kieran Smith shot wide from the edge of the box for the visitors in the first five minutes and Lee Radford sent a free kick wide of the target with twenty minutes on the clock. It was an end to end start to the game with both sides full of energy but Thorverton were slightly on top but lacked any quality on the final ball.

It took until the last ten minutes of the half for the game to really start and Nathan May went close for the hosts but could only drag his shot wide of the target from the edge of the penalty area. It was a similar story at the other end of the pitch as Smith beat the defender before shooting straight at the home keeper George Richards.

With just a few minutes remaining in the first half it was the visitors who thought they had broken the deadlock, Mattie Cram hit a shot from distance which fired off the post and rebounded straight into the path of Smith who made no mistake in finishing from close range, however, before any celebrations could take place the linesman’s flag was in the air for offside.

The final chance of the first half went the way of the hosts and it was the first chance that really tested either goalkeeper as Connor Saunders broke into the box from the right driving a shot goalwards from an angle which was saved well by visiting keeper Jack McAndrews.

The second half began in the same way the first half ended with both teams working the ball well but lacking the killer pass in front of goal as the game swayed from end to end. It was Topsham who had the best of the early chances as Brad Edwardson hit a shot straight at McAndrews in goal from the edge of the D before McAndrews was called into a great double save firstly preventing Saunders before Tristan Courtney also saw his effort thwarted by the Thorverton number one.

This acted as a bit of a wake up call for the visitors who sprung into action with a couple of chances of their own. Jacob Dack shot across goal following a cross from the left wing by Sam Stewart before the latter had a golden chance of his own as he hit a shot from distance which cannoned off the crossbar.

It was a game where both teams had clearly left their shooting boots behind with Lee Radford shooting wide from close range for Thorverton before Topsham’s Cameron Webb saw his effort from close range well saved by the keeper.

The final chance of the match came through the home side as a cross from the left found Matt Dovedale who could only head over the bar from close range. As both teams desperately went in search of a winner in the dying minutes panic set in with misplaced passes and poor balls frustrating players from both sides.

A goalless draw in a match between two very close teams who although they both had moments of quality, cancelled each other out and defended well. The return fixture at Thorverton in a few weeks could well be a very interesting game.

Topsham Town team: George Richards, Connor Saunders, Brad Phillips, Tom Tricker, Ash Matthews, Mitch Ward, Tom Price, Marcus Howe, Cameron Webb, Nathan May, Tristan Courtney

Subs: James Skinner, Ben Lyne, Matt Dovedale, Brad Edwardson, Ollie Knowles

Thorverton team: Jack McAndrews, Patrick O’Loughlin, Jake Ebdon, Sam Stewart, Joe Radford, Max Oliver, Beckham Pyatt, Mattie Cram, Ryan Moody, Lee Radford, Kieran Smith

Subs: Nathan Lee, Chris Powell, Jacob Dack, Pepe Eixeres

devon football league cup

Introducing Thirst Fitness: Our New League Cup Sponsors

The Devon Football League are honoured to announce Thirst Fitness as our new League Cup sponsors for the 2023/2024 season. 

Thirst Fitness have been delivering tailored health and fitness services to the people of Plymouth and surrounding areas for the past eight years. The professional services provided by the company, which include Personal Training, Boot Camps and Sports Therapy, are designed to cater to individuals at every level, from novice to professional athletes. With a strong community ethos at the forefront, Thirst Fitness take pride in their ability to offer something to everyone, helping every team/individual to ‘unlock their potential’ and create a clearer vision for the future. 

For any team or sports club interested in experiencing their fitness services on a mobile basis, get in touch today by emailing admin@thirstfitness.co.uk or follow on Facebook or Instagram. 

Website – www.thirstfitness.co.uk

Facebook – @ThirstFitness

Instagram – @thirstfitness or @Bootcampsplymouth

We look forward to this season’s competition kicking off and hopefully witnessing some entertaining football. The draw for the first two rounds have already been made and can be seen by clicking here.

The current holders of the League Cup are Beer Albion who came from behind in last years thrilling final to beat Mount Gould, a match report from that game can be found by clicking here.

Step 6 Promotion Application Window is Open

Applications from clubs for promotion to Step 6 are now welcomed, and the closing date is strictly January 31st 2024. All applications must be via this online form.

The promotion application fee (£120) must be paid directly to The Football Association by BACS and instructions on how to do this are included at the bottom of the online form.

The process of promotion is outlined in the following guide:

Step 6 Promotion Criteria 2024-25 SeasonDownload

Ground grading questionnaire: (please see above guide for details)

[INSERT CLUB NAME] Regional NLS FL to Step 6 Ground Grading QuestionnaireDownload

If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the DFL.

Match Report: Beer Albion 3 – 2 Newtown

Match report ©Tom Besford

On a wet and horrible Saturday afternoon, Newtown made the trip to Beer Albion in what would be an even battle between two mid-table sides.

The away side found themselves behind within the first couple of minutes but levelled before the break. An early goal in the second half from the hosts and a third soon after secured the three points would remain in Beer, but Newtown scored a penalty to push the home side right till the death.

If you turned up late to this match, you will have missed the first goal as the game was just three minutes old when Beer Albion took the lead. The Fishermen tested their visitors from kick off, and Tony Pinder found the back of the net from the edge of the box to break the deadlock. The home side continued to come forward as they dominated the opening exchanges and with the game less than ten minutes old, could have doubled the lead when good interchanging play down the right wing ended with Aaron Daniels putting the ball over the bar.

The visitors started getting back into the game and created a few chances going forward, but their best chance to get back into the game came after twenty two minutes. After playing the ball down the right hand side, Cory O’Donoghue burst into the box and struck low against the post, the ball came back out to Ryan Gilpin, but he couldn’t keep his effort down and the ball went over the top of the crossbar for a goal kick.

Newtown continued to look for a way back into the game as the half passed the thirty minute mark. Joe Mackensey pulled the ball back from the right wing for Josh Gresham who put his effort wide of the far post. The away team didn’t have to wait long for an equaliser though, and on their next attack they were level. After Charlie Ledger, in the Beer goal, and one of his defenders failed to get the ball clear, Billy Turl was left with an easy finish into the net for 1-1.

Gilpin sent a curling effort just over the bar, from the edge of the box, as he looked to put Newtown in front, but the scores remained level going into the half time interval. An even first half with the majority of it played in heavy rain.

It didn’t take the Fishermen long in the second half to retake the lead as they found themselves in front after three minutes of play, just like in the first half. A corner was crossed into the box and found the head of Finley Rooke who guided a head past the visiting ‘keeper.

The next goal would be crucial and it was Beer who scored it to add to their lead as the second half neared the twenty minute mark. Matt Berry beat the offside trap and was played through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat. Newtown custodian Laurie Martin saved the original shot but could do nothing as the rebound fell back to Berry who finished into the empty net.

Newtown continued to push for a way back into the game, but as the pitch got heavier in all the rain, the chances came fewer and further apart, and with ten minutes remaining, the game looked like it could have been in doubt. The match referee became increasingly worried about a puddle of standing water on the pitch that had grown and so a pause in play was required to fetch some brushes and try to clear the puddle.

When the game eventually restarted, it was the visitors who reacted the quickest and they were awarded a penalty with five minutes to go as the Beer Albion defender slipped and handled the ball in the area. O’Donoghue calmly finished down the middle to make a tense end to the game.

An entertaining and even game came to an end after almost ten minutes of time added on, and for the first time in almost three hours, the players and officials could go and dry off!

Beer Albion team: Charlie Ledger, Matt Berry, Liam Cox, George Harwood, George Richards, Finley Rooke, Josh Lund, Charley Skilton, Josh French, Tony Pinder, Aaron Daniels

Subs: Joe Adkin, Harry Lawrence, Barnaby Down, James Melville, Jack Prior

Newtown team: Laurie Martin, Joe Mackensey, Evan Murry, Ryan Gilpin, Jack Gill, James Ansell, Cory O’Donoghue, Dan Gill, Josh Gresham, Billy Turl, Joel Greenslade

Subs: Ant Bowen, Theo Herbert, Ben Howard, Josh Daines

Do you want to see your club’s match report on the DFL website? Send it to tom.besford@uwclub.net and we will post it (posts may be edited for grammar and style)

Premier Cup Draw & Fixture Changes

The draw for the 3rd round of the Devon FA Premier Cup has taken place with fixtures due to be played on Saturday 4th November with a 2PM kick off. In the case of any matches finishing as a draw, the game will go straight to penalties.

Devon Premier Cup – 3rd Round

Barnstaple Town ReservesVBoca Seniors
Clyst ValleyVNorth Molton SC
Morley RangersVBeer Albion
Sidmouth Town ReservesVIpplepen Athletic
The WindmillVBudleigh Salterton
University of ExeterVKingsteignton Athletic

Due to County Cup games taking priority over league games the following fixtures have been postponed:

LakesideVOttery St Mary
NewtownVBeer Albion
Bere AlstonVPlymouth Marjon
Budleigh SaltertonVAppledore
TopshamVUniversity of Exeter
PlymstockVNorth Molton
ThorvertonVMount Gould
IpplepenVBarnstaple Reserves

The following fixtures have been arranged instead: 

PlymstockVNewtown
ThorvertonVOttery St Mary
TopshamVAppledore
Plymouth MarjonVLakeside
Mount GouldVBere Alston

The following game remains unaffected:

ElmoreVFeniton
devon football league cup

League Cup Draw: Rounds 1 & 2

The draw for the first two rounds of the Thirst Fitness League Cup has been made. The first four teams drawn from the hat entered the first round, whilst everyone else received a bye to the second round. 

Dates of fixtures to be announced.

First Round

APPLEDOREvBARNSTAPLE RESERVES
BEER ALBION vPLYMSTOCK UNITED

Second Round

UNIVERSITY OF EXETERvELMORE
FENITONvBERE ALSTON
TOPSHAMvNEWTOWN
APPLEDORE or
BARNSTAPLE RESERVES		vNORTH MOLTON
BEER ALBION or
PLYMSTOCK UNITED		vTHORVERTON
PLYMOUTH MARJONvOTTERY ST MARY
IPPLEPENvBUDLEIGH SALTERTON
MOUNT GOULDvLAKESIDE

We are extremely grateful to Scott Richards Solicitors for continuing to support our league cup. Last season we saw Beer Albion beat Mount Gould in the final played at Barnstaple Town after coming from 2-0 down in a thrilling match. Hopefully we will have many more games as equally entertaining this season!

Match Report: Beer Albion 3 – 1 Thorverton

After going down to a shock 2- 1 defeat at the hands of Ottery St Mary 1sts in midweek, Beer Albion bounced back with a convincing 3-1 home victory against Thorverton last Saturday.  In front of 110 supporters, the Fishermen served up a feast of high-intensity, attacking football writes Richard Honnor.

But it was Thorverton, who made the early running, testing Beer’s defence with some brisk direct football. Within the first 6 minutes, ‘keeper Charlie Ledger was called into action twice, first when he saved a well-struck 18-yard shot from their talented number 11, Josh Hole, who had cut through the Beer defence. Then Ledger made a fine save at full stretch, tipping a teasing 15-yard overhead kick over the bar after Beer had only partially cleared a corner kick. 

Gradually, Beer’s midfield trio of Jake Rowe, Finley Rooke and Charley Skilton began to take charge and with Cody Bowditch playing in a more advanced left side midfield role they began to create good chances. On 14 minutes, right wing back Joe Adkin narrowly missed the target from 15 yards after Skilton and Bowditch combined well on the left to create the opportunity. One minute later, Rowe and Brook Wilkins swept down the right wing to present Josh French with a difficult near post opportunity which went wide.

Forward players French and Wilkins were proving a handful, and although the playing squad was weakened by unavailability, the starting line-up selected by manager Mark Rooke blended really well as a team.

After sustained pressure, the Fishermen went ahead on 21 minutes with a well-worked free kick.  Rowe was brought down outside the penalty box after an incisive run. With the visitors’ defence expecting a shot on goal, Bowditch cleverly “dinked” the ball wide to Finley Rooke who cut inside the defender and his low strike was deflected past the Thors keeper at the near post.

Beer continued to pile on the  pressure with Wilkins and Rooke going close, and then French “scored” with a powerful strike but was ruled offside. Thorverton’s ‘keeper made a couple of good saves, but he could do little about Beer’s second goal on 42 minutes. Again, Bowditch provided the assist, getting behind the visitors’ defence down the left and squaring across the goal into the path of Skilton who scored from 10 yards out.

After the break, Beer continued in the same vein with Wilkins and then Rowe foiled by fine saves by the visitors’ ‘keeper early on.

Wilkins, in particular, was finding space and making good runs down the right, and it was he who put Beer 3-0 ahead with a spectacular goal on 54 minutes. Squeezing between two defenders, Wilkins was first to reach a through pass from Bowditch, and then he expertly chipped the ‘keeper, who was off his line, from 25 yards out.

Beer continued to dominate the contest but, throughout the game, Thorverton’s forward line always looked dangerous going forward. They were duly rewarded with a consolation in the 80th minute, an unstoppable free kick from wide left, 25 yards out, scored by Hole who was their outstanding player on the day.

This was essentially a fine team performance from the Fishermen with centre back George Richards in dominating form at the back, but on behalf of match sponsors, the Chapple family-Beer Beach, Brooklyn Wilkins got the man-of-the-match award for his attacking forays and excellent goal.

Next up, Beer are in action on Wednesday away at Budleigh Salterton, and then they travel to Elmore next Saturday.

Do you want to see your club’s match report on the DFL website? Send it to tom.besford@uwclub.net and we will post it (posts may be edited for grammar and style)

feniton v topsham town devon football league

Points Shared at Feniton as New Season Gets Underway

Match report & photo ©Tom Besford

Feniton came from behind against Topsham Town to secure an opening day point as the new season begins in a one division format.

Scott Chambers opened the scoring for the visitors early in the second half before Ashley Small equalised mid-way through the half. Both teams dug deep looking for a winner, but it never came, even after Topsham Town were reduced to ten men following an off the ball incident.

Both teams started the match quickly as the game was end to end but neither goalkeeper was really tested in the opening exchanges as the two sets of defenders cancelled each other out. The first real chance of note came after nine minutes when Tariq Gasmi dragged his shot just wide of the goal. This was followed a couple of minutes later by another chance as a quick break down the right wing ended with the ball finding Louis Hoyle who somehow put the ball over the bar from close range.

With twenty minutes on the clock controversy struck as the Topsham Town players thought they had broken the deadlock, only for the linesman to say the ball never crossed the line. Nathan May believed he had scored from close range but couldn’t celebrate as the ball was hooked away to safety with the match officials claiming the whole ball hadn’t crossed the line and the Topsham defence were called into action down the other end of the pitch.

Tariq Gasmi for Feniton and Nathan May for Topsham looked the most likely players to break the deadlock in the first half as they both created chances, but neither player could really test the opposing keeper. Gasmi fired a few shots over the bar from distance and May dragged a few shots wide of the target as the two strikers looked to open their accounts for the new season. The teams went into the break goalless after an even first half.

Supporters didn’t have to wait long after the break for the first goal of the game as the visitors took the lead two minutes into the half. The ball found its way to Scott Chambers on the edge of the box who managed to get a shot away and fired into the bottom corner. This brought the game to life and Feniton almost equalised immediately as several bodies in the box got in the way as the ball bounced around before finding its way to Sam Gleeson on the edge of the box who shot just wide.

The match continued to go from end to end with both teams creating chances, first Bradley Philips shot from distance and won Topsham a corner as the ball deflected just wide before Reece Jordan flicked a chance just wide for Feniton.

As the second half reached the midway point Feniton found the equaliser as Ashley Small, who had started on the subs bench, made an impact since stepping onto the pitch. Reece Jordan had produced a fantastic run down the right wing before putting a low cross into the box. Small met the delivery at the near post and finished from close range to level the score.

Feniton had a great chance to win the match late in the game when a free kick delivered into the box found a striker who attempted an overhead kick but as his shot was blocked the ball fell kindly to Reece Jordan who smashed the rebound over the top.

Topsham were reduced to ten men in injury time as Ant Gaynor was shown a straight red following an off the ball incident but there wasn’t enough time for the hosts to take advantage of the extra man as the teams had to settle for a point apiece in an entertaining season opener.

Feniton team: Leon Woodhead, Fin Jeffrey, Sam Gleeson, Thomas Badcott, Lewis Masters, Sam Brook, Reece Jordan, Jake Sellick, Tariq Gasmi, Ben Turner, Lewis Hoyle

Subs: Stuart Blackmore, Matthew Kingdom, Alex Montgomery, Ashley Small

Topsham Town: Owen Vosper, Mitch Ward, Bradley Phillips, Fred Kingdom, James Skinner, Ashley Matthews, Scott Chambers, Bradley Butterfield, Tom Price, Nathan May, Marcus Howe

Subs: Connor Saunders, Ryan Saunders, Sam Clarke, Ben Lyne, Ant Gaynor

List of Pre-season Friendlies: Enjoy Some Summer Football

BACK TO BUSINESS: Mount Gould and Newtown closed the 2022/23 season by competing in the Devon Premier Cup. Both sides are now preparing for the season ahead. ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR

DFL sides have already returned to action with Mount Gould, Lakeside Athletic, Elmore and Plymstock United all in action last Saturday. Here are the rest of the confirmed pre-season fixtures (as of 3rd July).

Please note that these fixtures are subject to change. Please check with the clubs before travelling.

Click the table headers to sort by column and find your team more easily!

devon football league cup

Beer Albion Comeback Stuns Mount Gould in Six Goal Thriller

Match report & photo by Tom Besford

Beer Albion came from behind to win the Scott Richards Solicitors League Cup final against a Mount Gould side who had remained unbeaten after winning every match they have played this season. The final was ninety minutes full of drama with six goals, two red cards and a match which will live long in the memory of the supporters in attendance.

Having raced into a two goal lead against ten men, Mount Gould looked favourites to win the cup but a spirited comeback, following a Chris Wright red card to level the numbers, saw Beer Albion secure the double in front of their large travelling support to cap off a successful first season at step seven.

Champions of the South & West Division, Mount Gould, were looking to add to their so far perfect season but North and East Division champions, Beer Albion, knew the challenge they had ahead. Barnstaple Town proved to be the perfect hosts as an enjoyable day was had by the large attendance and the match was a true advert for non-league football.

The game started lively and both sides had early chances as the match swung from end to end. After just two minutes on the clock Chris Wright headed wide from a corner and just a few minutes later Beer had their opening chance of the match as Taylor Rooke was played through on goal only to see his effort well saved by the feet of Mount Gould stopper Jensen Manning. The opening twenty minutes of the match saw both sides create several chances but they all lacked that final bit of quality as neither keeper was really called upon.

It took twenty minutes until the game sprung to life as Beer Albion were reduced to ten men following a defender being sent to the sin bin. This left the East Devon outfit with a set piece to defend from the edge of the box with a man light and they were duly punished as Chris Wright curled his effort into the top corner and out of the reach of Beer keeper Elliot Driver.

Things soon went from bad to worse for the Albion as straight from kick off they had a strong penalty shout waved away and as the ball was cleared Tony Pinder came flying in and mistimed a tackle in the middle of the park resulting in a red card. Suddenly Beer were down to nine men and they were instantly punished as a ball played out to the left wing was crossed back into the middle and Danny Brook finished into the far bottom corner for 2-0. Two goals down and two men light, Beer had an uphill battle ahead of them and it looked like the game was over already.

Although it looked unlikely that a comeback would be on the cards Beer Albion continued to press and when they had ten men on the pitch they created several chances as Ashley Driver headed just wide from a free kick and shortly after Josh French shot wide from distance. As the club pushed forward looking for a way back into the match they were leaving gaps at the back and this was almost punished as Bailey Mabin curled an effort just over the bar from the edge of the box.

The match continued to be played at a high tempo and from end to end and the number of players on the pitch was levelled just before the break as Chris Wright was sent off for Mount Gould. After a bit of handbags on the pitch, Wright grabbed one of the Beer Albion midfielders by the hair and this was spotted by the fourth official who reported the sighting to the referee leaving him with no choice but to give Wright his marching orders.

Going into the second half with Mount Gould leading by two goals and both sides down to ten men, everyone knew that the next goal would be crucial and it looked like it would be the Plymouth based side who would add to their already commanding lead. Within the first five minutes of the half Mabin and Owen Pritchard both saw their efforts blocked and just a few minutes later Matthew David saw his header from a corner cleared off the line by Will House in the Beer defence. The club launched attack after attack as they looked for a third but it wouldn’t come as Jamie Grinrod saw a headed effort tipped over the bar by Driver before the Albion stopper pulled off another great save from the resulting corner.

The third goal of the match eventually came on the hour mark and it was Beer Albion who scored it as they looked to launch a surprising comeback against a side who hadn’t experienced anything but victory for the last twelve months. Brooklyn Wilkins broke free on the right hand side and as he broke into the box his shot across goal was converted into the back of the net, with the help of the crossbar, by Finley Rooke who slid in at the far post as the original shot was heading wide.

Could this be game on or was it going to be too little too late?

Only seven minutes had passed and Beer Albion shocked everyone in the ground by grabbing an equaliser as Taylor Rooke, who had caused the Mount Gould defence problems all day, beat the last defender before taking the ball around Manning in goal and finishing into an empty net to the delight of the Beer faithful.

With fifteen minutes left on the clock the turnaround was complete as Beer took the lead for the first time in the match thanks to substitute Giles Basson who managed to beat the Mount Gould keeper and the East Devon side added the icing to the cake by scoring a fourth with just a few minutes remaining. With Mount Gould desperately looking for an equaliser, Beer Albion managed to make the most of the gaps at the back and Taylor Rooke finished from close range following a squared pass from the right hand side.

A league and cup double for Beer Albion in their first ever season at step seven and a first defeat inflicted on Mount Gould in twelve months. As for Mount Gould, they can still claim the double when they face Newtown in the Devon Premier Cup final next month. A thrilling match full of drama and entertainment and played out in front of a brilliant attendance, it was a final that will live long in the memory of those who saw it!