Westward Developments Devon Women's League

The Devon Women’s League was due to find out its League Cup semi-finalists on Sunday but only one match out of the four made it safely to the final whistle. Plymouth Argyle Res’ pitch was yet again declared unfit, and opponents Georgeham & Croyde stayed in North Devon. Next to fall was Exeter City Res v Dawlish Town, when Sidmouth Town’s ground was ruled unsafe for play.

Premier Division pace-setters Central FC led Division One Torquay 6-2 at half time of their cup tie, with Hannah Smye heading Central’s scoring with a hat-trick. By the time the teams emerged for the second half the skies had opened and within 25 minutes parts of the pitch were underwater and the referee abandoned the match. The Management Committee will now review the abandonment.

Cup-holders Exeter University entertained Exmouth Town in the other tie. The University, for whom Lise Marie Fletcher racked up a hat-trick, proved too strong for the Division One side, eventually running out 8-2 winners and securing their place in the semi finals.

Both Division One matches were wiped out when local authorities in North Devon and Plymouth declared pitches out of bounds, leaving the Premier clash between North Molton and Galmpton United the only other game left playing. Heavy rain lashed by gale force winds blew across the pitch, lending neither side an advantage, but North Molton proved too strong for Galmpton and cruised to a 4-0 half-time lead. The deteriorating second half conditions did not lend themselves to skilful football but both bedraggled teams did their best in the conditions, although North Molton were able to add only one more goal to their tally by the final, soggy, whistle.