Late goals define the North Devon footballing weekend

A late leveller denied Barnstaple Town all three points at home to St Blazey in another Western League cracker on the weekend.

Barum were excellent in the early stages and thoroughly deserved the lead given to them by an emphatic finish from Tommy Rogers. They kept that advantage until the interval and probably should have been further ahead.

Within a minute of the restart, however, St Blazey were back on level terms, Luke Cloke punishing the Barnstaple defence for a sluggish return to action.

The next twist came from the penalty spot and Stuart Bowker delivered a confident finish from 12 yards, slotting a delightful strike into the top corner with his lethal left foot. It looked like being enough but Blazey pinched a point when Colin Pritchard equalised deep into injury-time.

Ilfracombe Town are up and running after an impressive 2-0 triumph at home to Falmouth Town. Tyler Evans-Loude and a Harry Stevens penalty ultimately proved enough for the Bluebirds, who can also look forward to a derby at home to Barnstaple in the Devon St Luke’s Bowl.

In the Southern League, Bideford rescued a draw at Malvern Town, thanks to a header from Tyler Yendle just ten minutes before the end.

The Robins spurned a big early opportunity when a Charlie Madden penalty was expertly saved by home goalkeeper Kieron Blackburn and Malvern, promoted to this level last season, took the initiative with an opening goal from Max Watts on the half-hour.

Bideford responded superbly to the setback, drawing level when Alex Byrne flashed over an inviting cross for Ben Gerring to power home a terrific header. Unfortunately, Bideford found themselves behind again before the break, Watts grabbing his second from close range.

There was plenty of endeavour for the Robins in the second period but time was against them until a free-kick from Byrne picked out Yendle, who planted an excellent header beyond Blackburn to secure a sloid start to the campaign.