Bumper Boxing Day for Biddy and Barum

Bideford AFC and Barnstaple Town both secured important Boxing Day victories in Devon derby clashes.

The Robins hosted Willand Rovers in the Southern League and need to keep winning if they are to maintain the small cushion above the bottom four in Division One South.

A tight affair was ultimately decided by a solitary strike from Scott Robinson and Bideford quickly return to action tomorrow, when they travel to promotion-chasing Exmouth Town.

The menu is prepared and ingredients all in place for a New Year’s Day main course to savour in the Jewson Western League.

Brixham AFC, sitting just two points behind leaders Portishead Town, travel to third-placed Barnstaple Town for a kick-off to 2025 that could prove crucial at the end of an incredibly tight title race.

Throw in Clevedon Town, and just four points separate the top four of an enthralling division.

The Fishermen will feel a lot more chipper after banishing the memory of a surprise defeat at St Austell by overpowering Ivybridge Town 5-1 on Boxing Day at Wall Park.

Barum, meanwhile, are in fabulous form, and proved far too strong for local rivals Ilfracombe Town, racing to a 4-0 victory that leaves Ilfracombe looking over their shoulders at the relegation spots.

Josh Parry and Tommy Rogers both hit doubles for Barum and NYD should be a fantastic atmosphere for the big game, while the Bluebirds of Ilfracombe have a tricky trip to Buckland Athletic.

It was an unhappy Christmas for two Devon clubs in the Southern League Premier, as Tiverton Town and Plymouth Parkway both remain in the relegation zone after heavy defeats on Boxing Day.

Parkway’s 5-0 loss at Frome Town was particularly painful, with their hosts also in the bottom four, while Tiverton had no answer in a 3-0 home defeat to Taunton Town.

Bideford v Willand pics from Sean Gosling and Ilfracombe v Barnstaple pics from Nathan Bennett