Barnstaple find their best form at Helston

Barnstaple Town continued their impeccable start to the Toolstation Western League season with arguably their best win so far.

Travelling to league leaders Helston Athletic in the depths of Cornwall, Barum set out to protect their unbeaten record but suffered an early setback, when former Plymouth Argyle midfielder Jordan Copp provided the pass for Tyler Elliott to open the scoring on 25 minutes.

Barnstaple quickly regained their composure and were level at half-time, Stuart Bowker supplying a delicious pass for Brodie Montague to make it 1-1.

Momentum was in Barum’s favour after the break and they got the lead when Callum Laird picked out man of the match Oscar Massey, who calmly slotted past the home custodian. The challenge got a little easier when Elliott was dismissed for the hosts following a dangerous tackle.

The gloss to a perfect away day was added when debutant Massey was again sent through on goal and he calmly rounded the ‘keeper before tucking the ball into the empty net. Barnstaple’s weekend was made even better by a 1-0 win for the reserves over Feniton and the U18s thumped Culm 10-0 at Mill Road.

Barum host lowly Wellington this weekend.

Ilfracombe Town are in need of some points after dropping to 13th following a 1-0 defeat at home to Bridgwater United, although the Bluebirds can take heart from a battling display against one of the leading sides in the division.

Bideford are up to sixth in the Southern League Division One South after a fabulous second-half hat-trick from Mattie Buchan saw the Robins recover from being a goal down to beat Melksham Town 3-1 at the Sports Ground.

After a sedate start to the game, Melksham snatched the lead on the half-hour when a quick free-kick released Joe Porton to steer past an exposed Adam Seedhouse Evans.

Bideford were startled into life and Buchan forced the best out of the Melksham ‘keeper before half-time. In the second half, however, his radar was right on point.

Ryan Turner teed up Buchan on the edge of the box and he took a touch before fizzing a low drive into the net. The Robins grabbed the lead midway through the second period and Turner was again the catalyst, slipping a lovely pass into the path of Buchan, who again made no mistake.

Bideford continued to press forward and, following a red card for the visitors, a superb cross from Finn Roberts was headed into the net by a jubilant Buchan.