FA Cup exits for North Devon clubs

It was a day of FA Cup disappointment for North Devon clubs, as Bideford and Barnstaple Town both exited the competition.

Bideford welcomed Melksham Town to the Sports Ground and will reflect on a frustrating afternoon where they failed to create enough serious chances to threaten the visitors.

Josh Webber volleyed over in the first semi-opening but Melksham responded with the decisive goal of the day, Kyle Witt curling a lovely finish into the corner after a sloppy clearance from the Robins.

Bideford toiled hard all afternoon but lacked the creative quality on the day, and it was Melksham who looked more likely to extend their lead. Mike Searle made a couple of great saves to his side in the game and the Robins did create some panic with a late Cieran Bridger free-kick, but the FA Cup run is over.

Barnstaple Town also bowed out and, again, few complaints for the North Devon side, as they were beaten 2-1 by an impressive Larkhall Athletic.

The visitors were cruising at 2-0 when Callum Deemer pulled one back for Barum, setting up a frenetic finish to the game, but there was no way through a determined Larkhall defence.

In the Western League, Ilfracombe Town went down to a 5-0 defeat at an impressive Clevedon Town. In the South West Peninsula League, Torrington lost 3-0 at home to Newton Abbot Spurs and Torridgeside were beaten 4-2 at Cullompton to complete a difficult weekend for local sides.