Christmas wishes for Devon football clubs

The Christmas period will bring the full range of wishes and hopes for football clubs across Devon.

On the professional scene, Torquay United have the widest smiles, leading the National League South as they travel to Weymouth on Boxing Day. Exeter City will also feel a tad more cheerful before their visit from Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day, ending their winless run with three points at Burton Albion.

Boxing Day will be a meeting of two England legends in the Midlands, as Wayne Rooney takes his Plymouth Argyle team to Frank Lampard’s Coventry City. The Pilgrims ended their difficult run of form with an enthralling 3-3 draw at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday, a Boro side managed by Michael Carrick, another with some serious playing pedigree.

It was two ends of the spectrum in the Southern League Premier, where Tiverton Town remain in the relegation zone after a painful 5-0 loss at play-off chasing Dorchester. Plymouth Parkway also face a battle for survival but were given a huge boost by an incredible 6-0 trouncing of third-placed Gloucester, Exeter City loanee Mitch Beardmore scoring all six for Parkway.

Boxing Day will take Parkway to fellow strugglers Frome Town, while Tivvy are at home to mid-table Taunton Town.  

Exmouth Town are the star performers from Devon in Division One South of the Southern League, currently second in the table but with a big gap to close on runaway leaders Yate Town. Exmouth drew 0-0 at home to Evesham on Saturday and travel to Helston on Boxing Day.

After a fine 3-0 win over Cinderford Town, Willand Rovers are sitting comfortably ahead of their Christmas trip to Bideford, who went down to a loss at Didcot Town, ending their recent winning run.

Bideford and Tavistock have a small cushion above the relegation zone but will need to find consistency in 2025 to ensure another season at this level. Tavvy are away to Cribbs on Boxing Day.

In the Jewson Western League, Brixham slipped off the top with a surprise defeat at St Austell but will be hoping for a big Christmas crowd when they welcome Ivybridge, who entered the festive period with a 10-0 walloping of Welton Rovers.

Barnstaple Town are in third and have a North Devon derby at Ilfracombe Town, while Buckland Athletic will look to arrest a recent slump in form with their trip to Wellington.

The South West Peninsula League East Division continues to be a thrilling race involving six clubs. Sidmouth Town are top at Christmas but being chased hard by Cullompton, Okehampton, Stoke Gabriel, Newton Abbot Spurs and Elburton Villa.