FA Cup journey over for North Devon clubs

The FA Cup adventure came to an end for North Devon clubs on the weekend but there was some South-West success to savour.

Bideford made the trip to Horndean in Hampshire and were soon on the back-foot, going behind on four minutes. The Robins regrouped to create some half-chances but found their task doubled on 26 minutes.

Finn Roberts forced a top save from the home custodian early in the second period but a third Horndean goal on the hour effectively killed the game.

Barnstaple Town also went down to a 3-0 defeat on the road at Poole Town and the story was painfully similar to the Robins, as Barum trailed by two at the break and, despite some second-half moments, their fate was sealed with a third.

Tiverton Town also bowed out with a 1-0 home loss to Wimborne Town, while the Okehampton Argyle story ended with a 3-1 defeat to Highworth Town, but there was better news for Plymouth Parkway, who have endured a tough start to the Southern League campaign. Goals from Oscar Halls and Jack Crago gave Parkway a 2-0 victory over Dorchester Town.

Arguably the biggest result, and certainly the most dramatic game, came down in the depths of Cornwall, where Mousehole underlined their growing credentials as a club with a superb 5-3 win over Bashley.

Ilfracombe Town were also in Cornwall, on Western League duty, but slipped to a 3-2 defeat at St Blazey.

Holsworthy are competing in the West Division of the South-West Peninsula League this season and will be feeling jolly content with their start, moving into fourth position with a 4-2 triumph at Sticker. The picture is not looking so bright for Torridgeside in the East, as they were trounced 5-1 at home to Honiton to remain bottom.

Appledore are riding high at the top of the Devon Football League after a Joe Kelly goal gave them a 1-0 win at Thorverton last week. North Molton suffered a painful 8-1 thrashing at Newton on Saturday but there was better news for Barnstaple Town Reserves, who performed vey well to earn a 1-1 draw at Plymouth Marjon.