Willand working their magic in Southern League

The early-season major success story in Devon football has to be Willand Rovers, who are two points clear at the top of the Southern League Division One South.  

Travelling to Westbury United on the weekend, Willand recovered from going behind on 21 minutes to level through Alfie Moulden. Westbury regained the lead but Ryan Guppy found a second equaliser nine minutes from time and Nathan Byrne won it for Willand deep into stoppage time. 

Bideford remain just outside the play-off positions after a 3-1 defeat at Wimborne Town, Finn Roberts scoring the consolation for the Robins, while a late goal from Daniel Koita gave Tavistock the Devon bragging rights at Exmouth Town. The 1-0 win lifted Tavistock into mid-table, while Exmouth are third from bottom. 

Barnstaple Town extended their unbeaten start in the Toolstation Western League to nine matches, as they romped to a 6-0 win at home to Wellington. Oscar Massey was lethal for Barum, bagging four goals on the day, with Stuart Bowker and Blake Shapland also on target.  

Falmouth remain top after a 6-1 demolition of Street and high-scoring victories were the theme in the division, as Bridgwater thumped Torpoint 5-0 and Brixham trounced Millbrook 7-0. Ilfracombe Town produced one of their best displays of the season to beat Welton Rovers 3-0.  

East Devon football was treated to one of the great El Jurassico derbies in recent memory, as Axminster Town edged past Sidmouth Town in a rollercoaster nine-goal thriller, with the Tigers running out 5-4 winners.  

Elsewhere in the SWPL, Honiton Town battled gamely at Newton Abbot Spurs before going down to a 3-1 defeat in the autumn sunshine. A free-kick from Lewis Couch proved to be the consolation for the Hippos.  

Ivybridge Town continued their dominance at the top with a 7-0 defeat of Torrington but Bridport are still in the race, as they pinched a last-gasp victory at Okehampton Argyle. Crediton are in third, thanks to a 4-0 defeat of bottom club Dartmouth.  

County Cups took centre stage for local clubs in the Devon Football League and the North Devon League and, while there were some tough results for local sides, a few exceptions ensured representation in the next rounds of competition.

Merton FC hosted Westexe Park Rangers from the Devon & Exeter League in the Devon Intermediate Cup and the home side were ruthless in dishing out an 8-0 victory. George Bartlett and Danny Jenkins both scored doubles, and there were further goals from Lewis Hookway, Harry Landmore, Oakley Mitchell and Reuben Shaw.

Park United edged past Fremington with the only goal of the game from Simon Larcombe in the Devon Premier Cup and there was penalty drama at Thorverton, where Barnstaple Town 2nds prevailed in the shoot-out following a 3-3 draw in normal time.

North Molton travelled to Newtown for a tricky tie and they just did enough to get through, winning 3-2 thanks to a brace from Ollie Beck and Will Tucker’s sumptuous header.

Braunton journeyed to Kentisbeare, also in the Devon Premier Cup, and the North Devon visitors dominated the first half, with Matt Bull going close, although a great save from Darren Nicholas was required at the other end.

After the break, Braunton continued to control proceedings and reward arrived 12 minutes from time, when a Cameron Shaw cross to the near post was met by Timmy Pike for a match-winning header.

There was one game played in the NDFL Premier Division, and Holsworthy 2nds produced a clinical display to win 5-0 at Hartland Clovelly. Elijah Acton scored a hat-trick, with Brendan Hearn and Rob Pearce also on target.  

It was a rough weekend for the professional clubs in Devon, as Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Torquay United all slumped to defeat.  

The Pilgrims led Swansea 1-0 at half-time in the Championship but were over-run after the break, losing 3-1. A goal one minute from time condemned Exeter to a 1-0 home defeat against Barnsley and ten-man Torquay lost by the same score against Maidstone in the National League South.