Bad day for Biddy and Barum

It was a wet weekend to forget for Bideford AFC and Barnstaple Town, as both slumped to defeats in their respective leagues, but there was a hard-earned point and spectacular goal for Ilfracombe Town.

Starting with the Bluebirds and a big game in their increasingly fraught bid to pull clear of trouble in the Jewson Western League, Bridgwater United were the visitors to Marlborough Park, and they fell behind to a sumptuous strike.

Sam Townsend was the man to break the deadlock for Ilfracombe, neatly collecting a long throw before curling a fabulous effort into the top corner. The Combe were minutes away from a valuable three points when the visitors grabbed a late leveller. The Bluebirds travel to Paulton Rovers this weekend.

Barnstaple Town lost ground on the leading duo of Clevedon Town and Portishead Town after going down to an unexpected 0-2 defeat in a fiery encounter at home to Oldland Abbotonians.

After a tepid first-half display, Barum suffered a huge setback when Brodie Montague was dismissed for two cautions, and the afternoon soon got worse with an opening goal for the Abbots.

The ten men fought valiantly but their race was run when the visitors scored a second, and a sour end to the game saw Callum Rose also shown a red card, alongside dismissals for the Oldland striker and coach. Barnstaple travel to struggling Torpoint on Saturday, where a win would do Ilfracombe a big favour.

In the Southern League, Bideford hosted Falmouth Town and were on course to extend the impressive recent form that has yielded six wins from the previous eight outings when Scott Robinson opened the scoring with a header in the final minute of the first half.

However, Falmouth are also a side in sparkling form, having scored 14 goals in their last three games, and the Cornishmen restored parity with a Rubin Wilson penalty midway through the second period.

A terrific encounter saw both teams throw men forward in search of a winner but Falmouth were the side to prevail. While the goal was naturally disappointing for the Robins, take nothing away from a wonderful strike by Luke Barner to win the game.

Despite the unfortunate defeat, Bideford remain nine points clear of trouble in Division One South and, following their midweek Devon Bowl meeting with Plymouth Argyle, it is a trip to Melksham Town on the weekend.