Weather permitting there’s a local derby at Rockbeare tomorrow that means a great deal to both teams on show, writes Steve Birley.

Newton Poppleford have battled in vain through 19 games – 18 of them in the Fresha League – and been beaten each time, conceding a century of goals in the process.

Tomorrow they play at Rockbeare against a Tipton St John side who sit immediately above them at the foot of the Fresha League One table.

If the Popples are to break their duck, tomorrow, arguably, offers them their best hope!

When the pair met at Newton Poppleford back in October Tipton St John won 3-0.

Tipton are without a win since a November 16 5-0 triumph at home to Cullompton Rangers since when they have lost all four of the games they have played shipping twenty goals.

It could be that Rockbeare is the place to see goals tomorrow! Neither the Popples or Tipton St John have seen much action recently.

Tipton have had their last five games wiped out by the weather and they last took to the field on December 14, losing 6-1 at table-topping Elmore.

Ottery St Mary have played twice in their Fresha Division campaign since December 14. Those games have seen them lose 7-0 at home to Upottery and draw 2-2 with Woodbury.

The Otters travel to Exmouth Amateurs tomorrow and look to bag a first win in eight since they were last victorious with an October 26, 6-0 victory over the same team they take on tomorrow.

Ottery have one away success to their name this season, that, a 2-0 win at Sidmouth Town on November 9.

Sidmouth Town Reserves go into their home game with a Tedburn St Mary side that sits immediately above them in the Division Three table. The Vikings have not played since a 2-2 Manstone Lane draw with Hemyock on December 7. The last time the Town’s second string were last winners on November 16 when they triumphed 3-1 at Axminster Town Reserves.

Otterton take a break from their bid to win the Fresha Division Six title as they bid for a place in the area final of the Devon Intermediate Cup when they host Langdon who ply their trade in the division below where they sit fifth with 24 points banked from 15 games to date.

Whatever happened in the cup tie Otterton will end the weekend still on top of the division for second place Uplowman, who travel to Newton St Cyres, are four points behind having played 13 of their 28 league matches, the same number that Otterton have negotiated so far.

Fluxton have a tough Division Six task as they go to third in the table Topsham Town thirds that are unbeaten since early November.

Fluxton are without a win in three since a 10-0 home success over Amory Green Rovers on December 7 since when they have lost two and drawn one.