Fitting tributes on pitch follow the passing of Reg Woodmore
PLAYERS and officials of two South Devon Football League clubs were united in paying their respects to a much-loved local character who sadly passed away last Friday, writes Neil Hocking.
Reg Woodmore was heavily involved with Premier side Abbotskerswell right from their formation, in 1987, as a small village team in the Sunday League.
He was also the father of a member of staff at Watcombe Wanderers, and a grandfather of two current Watcombe players.
Apart from a spell living in Spain, Reg had been omnipresent at Abbot's Park and chairman Bob Clements praised the commitment he brought to every role he filled, whether he was managing the side or cutting the grass and marking the pitch.
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"He was tremendously committed to the football club," said Clements. "Honest, straight, stubborn at times, but a very likeable person who would do anything asked of him."
Abbotskerswell and Watcombe Wanderers are planning to hold a charity game in Reg's honour, and the Wanderers players paid tribute by holding a minute's applause and wearing black armbands during last weekend's Herald Cup Second Round tie against Preston South End at Barton Downs.
It was fitting that Reg's grandson Lewis Woodmore was to score one of Watcombe's goals as they went through 6-1.
Sean Finch had given the Division One side a huge advantage with a hat-trick within ten minutes of the start, but Preston capitalised as Watcombe sat back, narrowing the deficit shortly before the break through Dean Munday.
A second half penalty looked to have given the Division Six outfit a lifeline, but they missed their chance and Wanderers went on to seal the tie through Pete Summerfield, Paul Reilly and Woodmore.
Preston managers Dexter and Terry Roose admitted that their side had been well-beaten, but said the players would have learnt valuable lessons ahead of this weekend's county cup tie against Division Three leaders Stoke Gabriel Thirds.
Elsewhere in the Herald Cup, Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves, knocked out by Watcombe in last season's semis, marched into the Third Round with a 2-1 home win against Ipplepen Athletic.
Division Five's last remaining side, Newton Rovers, were no match for Premier team Loddiswell Athletic, the visitors running out 5-0 winners.
Watts, Blake & Bearne scored three in the first half, easing through 4-0 at home to Harbertonford, with goals from Nick Cousins (2), Dave Hodgson and Darren Sowerby.
Teign Village continue to defy the odds, edging a ten-goal thriller at Stepper Meadow to dispose of Division Two outfit Newton United 6-4.
In the league, Premier leaders Buckland Athletic Reserves were happy to turn their clocks all the way back to the previous weekend, as they defeated Stoke Gabriel Reserves in the league by the same 3-1 score-line with which they knocked the Railwaymen out of the Herald Cup. Jordan Havlin netted once again, with Kain Bond claiming two.
Unbeaten Brixham AFC keep pace, a single goal at Broadpark leaving Kingsteignton Athletic still in search of their first win.
Abbotskerswell, who haven't picked up a single point since the opening day, fell again although they ran third placed Upton Athletic close going down 3-2 at Abbot's Park.
Galmpton United Reserves enjoyed a 4-2 win at Coombe Valley as Teignmouth Reserves' defensive frailties once more sabotaged their achievements up front.
In Division One, Waldon Athletic can't do much wrong this season, a narrow 2-1 victory at East Allington moving them level at the top with no points dropped as yet; Duane Johnson and Callum Hale with the strikes.
Hele Rovers scored twice on Paignton College's 3G surface, but home side Riviera Spurs won 3-2 to leave Rovers rock bottom.
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