The iconic Herald Cup ushers in the new year for grassroots football clubs

The Herald Cup brings 2026 into focus for footballers in South Devon and across Dartmoor, a competition that resulted in heartbreak, big scorelines and last minute controversy with two recent finalists bowing out in the second round.

Premier Division Windmill were the headliners with a 14 – 1 victory at Division Four Broadhempston United. There were two goals each for Jack Biscoe, Miles Hunt, Ethan Jones and Corbin Mackin but it was Brodie Simpson who stole the show with five goals to give the Plymouth side a safe passage into round three.

Division One outfit Barton Athletic put in a good performance and scored through Oakley Hunt but they were no match for Premier side Lakeside Athletic, who won 4 – 1 at Barton Downs in front of a decent crowd that must have been freezing.

The two all Premier Division ties cemented the thoughts that any team can beat any team in this league. At Broadpark, East Allington United thought they had equalised in the 94th minute against Kingsteignton Athletic, only for the assistant to flag an offside and the goal was disallowed.

Mathew Elwood put the Rams in front before Martin Finneron got the Pirates back into the game but it was a side-footed finish from Jake Haywood Cann four minutes from time that eventually won the game for Kingsteignton after a second half full of missed chances from both teams, including a penalty save.

Just across town, Newton Abbot 66 said goodbye to a cup run after a pulsating game versus Chudleigh Athletic that went to extra time, Jake Cogavin scored a late winner for the visitors to save everybody from a penalty shootout.

In the 90, George Davidson was on target for Chudleigh and Tom Lowe for Sixes, who ended the game with ten players (full report and photos on Davesworld).

Premier Division Newton Abbot Spurs welcomed Division Four outfit Teign Village to the Rec and the villagers were no match for the league’s champions, Aiden Blackie, Mason Turpin, Jacob Wales and Dev Webb all on target for Spurs in a 5 - 0 victory.

Paignton Saints were taken all the way to a penalty shootout by Division Two side Babbacombe Corries at Coach Road. The teams were tied at 1 – 1 at the end of regulation and extra time and with the first 12 penalties being superbly executed it was Saints who won it in the end, 7 – 6 and go into the hat for round three.

In the all Division One tie, Bovey Tracey made short work of Paignton Villa with a 4 – 1 win that puts the Moorlanders into the hat and gives them yet another fixture to schedule, keeping them in three knockout competitions and banging on the door for promotion in what is going to be an exciting second half of the season for them.

WBB are also through to round three following a tough afternoon against the Division Two leaders Signal Box. The home team just had the edge in an entertaining fixture and a reminder that the visitors won the Plymouth Premier Division last season, so it was a good result for the Claymen at Abbrook Park.

In the few league games that were played, Waldon Athletic 3rds remain unbeaten in Division Four, a 5 - 0 victory over Paignton Saints 3rds with two goals each for Charlie Charlesworth and Elliot Glasser and a single from Daniel Omonuwa enough to keep the Clarets heading into mid-table as they have only played five games.

Paignton Villa 3rds picked up three good points at Brixham Town 2nds to move into mid-table safety, whilst the home team have slipped back with only their third loss of the campaign.

In Division Three, Galmpton United moved within touching distance of the leaders with a comprehensive 7 – 1 win versus Ipplepen Athletic courtesy of four goals from Harley Hooper, two from Austin White and one from Jack Tribble.

It’s always good to be able to report a team that has struggled for many years beginning to turn a corner on the pitch and pick up some wins. Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds had a great result with a 4 – 2 win versus Newton Abbot 66 2nds, who remain in third place, whilst Rangers move into mid table with their 3rd win in four outings, which will give everybody at the club a bit of a lift.

In Division Two’s only league fixture, East Allington United 2nds battled out a 1 – 1 draw with Paignton Saints 2nds at Poole Lane, both teams remain in mid-table thanks to the point.

There were three games that beat the frost in Division One and in the promotion contenders game Mount Gould just had the edge over Brixham Town in a 4 – 3 thriller, strikes from Bentley Alcantara, Mohamed Kherras, Aaron Spear and Tyler Wark keep the Plymouth side on course for a second promotion in two seasons, whilst the visitors remain well placed just one point off the lead and will be there or thereabouts come May.

Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds finally won their first game of the season with a hard fought 4 – 2 success at fellow strugglers Watcombe Wanderers. Nick Garrett was the hero for Spurs, scoring all four goals at a bitterly cold Long Lane. Spurs remain second from bottom but are still in touching distance of Liverton United, who picked up only their second win of the campaign against a young Buckland Athletic side by five goals to four at Halford.

Games to catch on Saturday, January 10.

Two stand out games in the top division and both are in Plymouth, Windmill will be looking to continue their form from 2025 into the new year when Newton Abbot 66 pay a visit to Millenium fields and over at Ernesettle, Lakeside Athletic will face a stiff challenge when Newton Spurs visit looking to take some points back up the A38.

In Division One, there is a fascinating encounter at JC Park, Brixham Town meet WBB in a 3rd v 1st fixture, where just one point separates the two sides and at South Devon College, Paignton Villa face Bovey Tracey for the second time in a week, this time in a 2nd v 5th league game and the top of this division could look a lot different after these two games.

In Division Two, Babbacombe Corries will be hoping that Paignton Villa 2nds do not become the first team to beat them in the league this season and Harbertonford face an Ashburton side who have promotion firmly in their sights but will need to be at their best to come away from the Steve Jane ground with any points.

There are a couple of potential banana skin games in the Herald Cup to watch, Division Two side Newton Rovers face Premier Division Ilsington Villa at Bakers Park and South Brent from Division Three will fancy their chances when they host Premier Division strugglers Buckfastleigh Rangers at 2pm

Enjoy your grassroots football in 2026.