Shock defeat dents Barum title aspirations

The top of the Jewson Western League is demanding, and any setback will have major repercussions at this stage of the season, so a shock 4-0 defeat for Barnstaple Town at Torpoint Athletic was a killer blow for Barum.

The Cornish hosts have spent much of the campaign toiling in the bottom three of the division but they ruthlessly punished a sloppy afternoon from Barnstaple. After falling behind early, two yellows and a subsequent red for Josh Parry proved pivotal for Barum.

Torpoint took full advantage of their numerical boost to race clear with three more goals, leaving Barum 11 points behind leaders Clevedon, although they do have a game in hand. After the midweek Devon Bowl game at home to Exeter City, Barnstaple welcome Shepton Mallet in the league on Saturday.

The win for Torpoint was also a setback for Ilfracombe Town, who dropped into the bottom three with a painful 5-0 reverse at Paulton Rovers. The Combe face another awkward trip to Nailsea & Twickenham this weekend.

In the Southern League, Bideford AFC maintained their cushion above the bottom four with a solid 1-1 draw at Melksham Town.

The Robins enjoyed a superb start to the game, Javan Wright nodding in the opening goal inside the first minute. Jamie Hearsay almost doubled the lead with a sweet strike, thwarted by a fine save, and Melksham drew level on the stroke of half-time with a goal from Harry Baker.

A top save from Mike Searle kept Bideford level midway through the second period, while Jordan Ewing went close at the other end. The Robins played the final six minutes with ten men after the dismissal of Josh Webber but held on for another valuable point. After a difficult midweek trip to leaders Yate Town, Bideford host Malvern Town on Saturday.  

In the South West Peninsula League, Torridgeside remain ninth in the table after failing to secure maximum points at lowly Middlezoy Rovers. Tyler Evans-Loude earned the 1-1 draw for the T-Siders, who lacked the normal punch in their play. Next is a tricky trip to Bridport, while Torrington are away to Bovey Tracey.