The second saturday of the New Year was almost a disaster with just five matches taking place because of the wet weather.

Premier and Division One were a total washout and the only game completed in Division Two was at their Broadclyst ground where Cranbrook won their major clash against Exmouth Spartans 3-2. Defeat probably now ruins the Spartans out of a top three finish but for Cranbrook it was a result they needed to stand any chance of catching the top two.

Division Three was another whitewash but the one game to survive in Division Four turned up a big surprise with Exeter United getting just their second victory of the season and climbing off the basement rung on goal difference. They beat Uplyme first 1-0.

The top two Intermediate divisions, Five and Six also suffered a blank day, but in Division Seven a big upset as Seaton Town came away from leaders Exmouth Rovers with a 1-1 draw.

Division Eight had the luxury of two matches played and saw Bow AAC come away from their big game at Millwey Rise with a 4-1 win under their belts and a leap into second place.

Lowly Farway United also won on foreign soil, well on the Ashbury Hotel 3G pitch, where they accounted for South Zeal United 2-0.

Axminster Town's home match against Torridgeside in the South West Peninsular Premier East Division was also postponed because of the weather.

*News this week that four more teams could be leaving the Devon and Exeter Premier division next season.

Crediton United, Elmore Reserves, Alphington and Kentisbeare have all submitted applications to join the Devon Football League for the 2023-24 season. They will be subject to ground grading being carried out before being accepted.

Alphington are currently leading the Premier division with a nine-point lead over second placed University of Exeter 2nds. Kentsibeare and Crediton are sitting in sixth and seventh place with games in hand and Elmore are down in ninth place but have only played five games which means they have 19 matches to play to complete their fixtures this season.

Beer and Thorverton left the Devon and Exeter League this season to play in the Devon League with the Fisherman topping the North and East Division, having won all nine games. Thorverton are not doing so sell having won just two games in the 12-club division.