LAPFORD AFC will play in the Pro Direct Champions Cup 2022 on Friday, July 29 in a semi-final, at home, against Park United (North Devon).

The other semi-final is Buckfast Rangers (South Devon) at home against D and C Autos (Plymouth and West Devon).

The final will take place at the Devon FA Headquarters, Coach Road, Newton Abbot on Saturday, August 6, at 2pm.

Lapford won the Throgmorton Champions Cup on August 7, 2021, having beaten North Molton and The Windmill to become the top team in Devon at Level 12, until August 6, 2022.

Looking back to last season 2021/22 - what a season! Winning the Premier Division Devon and Exeter League by nine points and a goal difference of plus 81 goals, and also being unbeaten after 24 games.

In the Devon Premier Cup beating Meadowbrook South Devon, Millbridge Plymouth West Devon, Barnstaple Reserves North Devon, but lost to Beer Albion in the quarter-final on penalties, the only defeat of the season.

In winning the East Devon Senior Cup the following teams lost out: Newton St Cyres, Crediton United Reserves and Lyme Regis, beating Upottery in the final. Now also the Bill Rees Shield for top marks by the referees attending the matches.

So onto the season for 2022/23, Lapford kept out of the Devon League, so on again in the Premier Division to take on the following teams - one down from the Devon League, Clyst Valley.

Beer Albion and Thorverton go into the Devon League.

Axminster Reserves go out and three are promoted; Sandford, Alphington Reserves and Crediton United Reserves.

Thus leaving the nine teams we played last season; Elmore Reserves, Kentisbeare, Colyton, Exeter University Reserves, Ottery St Mary Reserves, Okehampton Argyle Reserves, Dawlish, Sidmouth Town Reserves and Lyme Regis.

So it is upwards and onwards to all and good luck.

Hopefully I see you all on Friday with the club raffle.

Gerald Leach