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06 Sept 2025

Penalty drama sends Ilfracombe to the semi-finals

Ilfracombe Town FC

Ilfracombe Town FC

Ilfracombe Town through to semi-finals of the Devon Bowl

Ilfracombe Town are just one game away from a Devon Bowl Final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Sidmouth Town in the quarter-finals.

Tyler Evans-Loude and Harry Stevens both went close for Ilfracombe in a tense encounter that remained goalless, largely thanks to a superb save from Laurence McCormick to deny Sidmouth nine minutes from time.

The game went straight to penalties and the scores were locked at 2-2 when Evans-Loude stepped up for the decisive spot-kick, calmly sending the Sidmouth custodian the wrong way to spark wild celebrations for the Bluebirds.

Manager Clem Bennellick said: “Laurence made a worldy save to take us to penalties and also did the business in the shoot-out. A great achievement.”

The Blurbirds can now look forward to a trip to either Newton Abbot Spurs or Exmouth Town. The other semi-final will see Willand Rovers travel to either Elburton Villa or Buckland Athletic.

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