Barum knocking on the Western League door

It has been a superb week in the Jewson Western League for Barnstaple Town, who are just two points behind leaders Brixham with a game in hand.

Before the weekend visit from Bridgwater, Barum had an incredibly tough trip to another title contender, Buckland Athletic, and a dramatic game played in the full force of Storm Bert.

The South Devon club led 2-1 at the interval in torrential rain, Brodie Montague on target for Barum, but the second half was a sensational advert for regional football.

Barnstaple drew level with a fine long-range strike from Mitch McCann, swiftly followed by an own goal. Buckland fought back to 3-3 with a goal from former Torquay United forward Jared Lewington but Barnstaple had the final word, Tommy Rogers notching from close range.

After the Lord Mayor’s Show, Bridgwater United were the visitors to North Devon, and Rogers again found the target, opening the scoring with a tremendous header. Mid-table Bridgwater demonstrated the power of this division by equalising before Rogers restored the lead with a low strike.

Back came Bridgwater to make it 2-2 at the break but Barum pulled away in the second period, Montague making it 3-2 with a fine header and Rogers then completed his hat-trick. Next on the menu is a return game with Buckland.

Ilfracombe Town were made to work very hard at bottom club Welton Rovers before emerging with a 3-2 victory. Ryan Turner, Adam Poole and Riley Malin scored the goals for the Bluebirds, who played much of the second half with ten men. Ilfracombe host Paulton Rovers on Saturday.

In the South-West Peninsula League, it was a frustrating weekend for Torrington and Torridgeside, both going down to 2-1 defeats at Middlezoy and Honiton respectively. Torrington travel to Bridport on Saturday, while Torridgeside host Teignmouth.

It was the same story for Holsworthy in the West Division, as they also lost 2-1, at Bodmin, and the Magpies are back on the road to face Sticker this weekend.

In the Devon Football League, North Molton enjoyed their best afternoon of a difficult campaign, pulling clear of the bottom two with a confident 7-1 trouncing of Bere Alston United.

Joe Southcott took the main plaudits with a fine hat-trick, ably assisted by a brace from Michael Hatcher and further goals by James Giffard and Dan Anjos. North Molton travel to Budleigh Salterton this weekend, when a victory would see them leapfrog their hosts in the table.

Appledore remain fourth in the table, despite a disappointing 3-1 loss at Ottery St Mary. Joe Kelly scored the consolation for Appledore, who are at home to mid-table Beer Albion on Saturday.