Barnstaple FC's Chris Holding wins this header from a corner, but this time the bar saves the day for opponents Torrington. (Pic Platinum Images)

AN unexpected arrival stopped Woolacombe and Mortehoe in their tracks when they were leading 1-0 away to Ilfracombe 3rds.

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Their goalkeeper Peter Lambert was whisked away to be with his wife, who had gone into labour in hospital.

Chay Isaac had put the visitors ahead, but after that they could deliver no more as Ilfracombe came back to win 3-1 with goals by Ryan Welch, Gerry Constantine and Damon Reed.

Barnstaple FC stay top of the table after a 6-0 result at home to Torrington reserves with goals by Connor Nash (3), Keith McClure (2) and Chris Holding.

There was only a goal between them as Barnstaple AAC Reserves and Hartland fought out an 11-goal thriller.

It seemed all over when Ammies raced into a 5-1 half-time lead with goals by Carl Smith, Connor Heeney and Steve Isaac (2), but the tables turned after the break as Hartland hit back to draw level, their goals coming from Steven Heard, Alex Slee (2 penalties) and Jack Coleman (2) before Heeney snatched the Ammies’ 85th minute winner.

There were goals galore at Sporting Barum, too, where the home side went down 8-3 to visiting Northside Atlantic.

Sporting went 2-0 up, then Oli Robinson pulled one back for Northside, blocking a clearance from the keeper. Then Tom Gleeson took over, scoring the first two of his seven goals to put Northside to 3-2 ahead before Sporting pulled back to 3-3 at half time. Five more Gleeson goals in the second half saw Northside pull steadily ahead.

Unbeaten Anchor Chiefs found lowly Equalizers a tougher task than expected and dropped their first points of the season with a 2-2 draw.

The Chiefs saw a penalty saved and felt they should have had others, while stand-in Equalizers keeper was more than up to his task.

But they shared the spoils with a good goal by Joe Barker and a fine mazey run and tap-in by Jake ‘Rafa’ Butler in reply to two Equalizers goals by Matthew Mitchell.

Torridgeside Reserves kept up their challenge with a 3-0 win at home to Landkey and Braunton 3rds were 2-1 winners at home to Clovelly.