THERE was plenty of intrigue in the FA Vase second qualifying round in the three games involving South Devon sides, but for very different reasons.

Teignmouth AFC and Newton Abbot Spurs ran higher-ranked teams right to the wire whilst Bovey Tracey AFC continue to raise eyebrows after an emphatic victory.

Torpoint Athletic may be second in the Western League at the time of writing, with seven wins and a draw from their first eight games, yet they were no match for the Moorlanders.

“Clinical at one end and resilient at the other” were the words from SW Peninsula League leaders Bovey on their social media pages having beaten the Cornish side 5-0.

Blustery conditions plagued both sides at The Mill in the early stages but after Cal Leech opened the scoring for the visitors, they didn’t look back.

Oli Aplin and Jack Brimming joined him on the scoresheet to give Bovey a commanding lead at the break. Josh Webber notched a fourth on the hour mark and Levi Landricombe then got in on the act in the final moments.

Newton Spurs were also on their travels, instead heading North to Bridgwater United in Somerset.

It took just two minutes for the first incident there and it was a big one, fullback Tyler Joint seeing red for bringing down the striker, a decision which Spurs weren’t best pleased with.

Despite being down to 10, they struck first, Kai Swann smashing home a free-kick in the 17th minute. Bridgwater drew level just before the break and although Spurs were able to hang on for the entire second half, a penalty shootout brought their campaign to a close.

All the same, Spurs have a lot to be proud about and the same goes for Teignmouth, who ran Ivybridge Town very close indeed.

Harry Breslan put the Teigns ahead at Coombe Valley early on but Ivybridge responded well, Nathan Lang netting in the 16th minute and Jake Smelt then flipping the script in the 28th minute.

Ryan Smith made it 3-1 in the 70th minute, shortly after coming off of the bench, but Teignmouth were by no means down and out.

Sean Ayre halved the deficit and gave the home side renewed positivity but a third goal alluded them, unfortunately.

Given their struggles in the league to date, this cup clash is something for Liam Jones and co to build on. His opposite number, Brad Gargett, gave credit where credit was due as well, commenting that Teignmouth “are a difficult team to beat on their own patch.”

So, whilst Spurs and Teignmouth are out, Bovey advance and the first round proper of the FA Vase is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 18. The draw will be made at 1pm tomorrow.

In the meantime, Teignmouth AFC go to Bideford AFC tomorrow night whilst, on Wednesday, Bovey host Buckland Athletic and Spurs visit Torridgeside AFC, all in the St Luke’s Challenge Cup.

League football then resumes on the weekend, Teignmouth making the trip to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 27.

Bovey and Spurs are at home, clashing with Okehampton Argyle and Ilminster Town respectively. Fixtures are coming thick and fast for football teams up and down the county right now!