Thrilling football weekend for North Devon clubs

On a busy weekend for North Devon football, Fremington Women moved top of the Devon Women’s Football League with a superb 4-0 win over Seaton Town, thanks to an Amy Slaney hat-trick and a strike by Marie Worby.

Two goals from Chelsea Cadle, plus one for Liz Norvill, unfortunately wasn’t quite enough for Barnstaple Town Women, as they went down to a 4-3 defeat in a thrilling match at Exeter University.

The Robins of Bideford have experienced some enthralling finishes to games in the Southern League this season, experiencing both triumph and disaster in the closing minutes.

On Saturday, it was arguably their finest hour, or finest last minute in this case.

Travelling to leaders Sholing, few gave Bideford much chance of getting any points in their ongoing bid to pull clear of relegation trouble in an incredibly tight division.

After a brutal 8-1 defeat at the other main title contenders, AFC Totton, Sean Joyce’s men were understandably determined to banish some bad memories, and they started with admirable belief, earning a deserved penalty on 24 minutes.

A weaving run from Joe Charles was illegally halted by a clumsy challenge and Archie Reay stepped up for the spot-kick, only to see his strike brilliantly saved by Ryan Gosney.

Just two minutes later, the Robins fell behind, as a cross from Daniel Mason caught on the breeze and sailed beyond a stranded Adam Seedhouse Evans in the Bideford goal. After such a disappointing spell in the game, the Robins had to demonstrate immense character to regroup.

Reay instigated the response with a delightful cutback for Ben Gerring, who steered his shot inches wide. Reay then narrowly missed the target after tremendous work from Jack Winsor, Javan Wright and Aaron Taylor at the start of the second period.

Charlie Madden thundered a header against the bar, as Bideford continued to dominate their lofty hosts but it looked like a heartbreaking defeat was heading their way when the game entered injury time with the score still 1-0.

The Robins launched one final attack and a handball gave them a dramatic penalty. Craig Duff took responsibility and converted for an incredible draw, with frustrated home goalkeeper Gosney sent off in the aftermath.

Torrington produced one of their finest displays of the campaign in the South-West Peninsula League, as second-half goals from Lewis Haxell and Josh Parsons gave them a terrific 2-0 triumph at Teignmouth. Torridgeside went down to a 6-0 defeat at high-flying Brixham.

In the Devon Football League, North Molton FC are just eight points behind leaders Beer Albion and have two games in hand. The Stags travelled to fourth-placed Newtown on the weekend and delivered a top performance to win 4-2. Callum Hutchings banged in a hat-trick and there was also a goal for Jamie Giffard.

The goals were shared around by Appledore in their 5-1 victory at Thorverton, with Ben Brown, Joe Kelly, Phil Kelly, Sam Paddon and Aaron Souster all hitting the net.

It was honours even in the North Devon derby between Barnstaple Town Reserves and Fremington. The game ended 2-2 with Grady Pickard and Ben Wells notching for Barum, while Sam White and an own goal did the trick for Fremmy.

The line-ups have now been confirmed for the North Devon Football League Cup Finals, which will be played throughout the month of April, starting with the Bill Smale Cup on the 8^th between Kingsley Park and Morwenstow 2nds at Ilfracombe Town’s Marlborough Park – kick-off 6.30pm.

Next on the menu is Bideford 2nds v AFC Dumnonii in the Arlington Cup Final on April 15, also a 6.30pm kick-off and the game to be played at Lobb Fields, Braunton. The Combe Martin Cup Final pits Torridgeside 2nds against Landkey Town at Hollands Park, Combe Martin. Another 6.30pm kick-off on April 22.

Last but definitely not least is the Brayford Cup Final. Vicarage Field, Torrington FC will host the match on April 29, kick-off 6.30pm, and the two teams vying for the big prize are Braunton 2nds and Park United.