Magic of the cup for North Devon clubs

Focus for the first weekend in March for clubs in the North Devon Football League will be the quarter-finals of the divisional cups, with many games rolled over from a soggy Saturday to end February.

The quarter-final draws were as follows:

Brayford Cup Braunton v Fremington Boca Seniors v Appledore Lions Shamwickshire Rovers v Appledore 2nds Hartland v Torridgeside 2nds

Combe Martin Cup Lynton v High Bickington AFC Dumnonii 2nds v Braunton 2nds Fremington 2nds v Boca Seniors 2nds Shebbear United v Morwenstow

Arlington Cup Hartland 2nds v Kingsley Wizards Braunton 3rds v Georgeham & Croyde Rovers Sandymere Blues v Bradworthy Combe Martin 2nds v Langtree Lions

A handful of games did survive the weather and, unsurprisingly, Boca Seniors underlined their NDFL dominance with a 7-0 demolition of Appledore Lions to book their slot in the last four. Sam Box bagged a brace for Boca, with the other goals scored by Kriss Boreham, Jake Hawkins, Josh Marinaro, Carter Ward and Joe Barker.

Braunton are the other side through to the semi-finals after a 2-1 victory at home to Fremington. Isaac Brown opened the scoring with a lovely side-foot finish into the bottom corner and a place in the next round was confirmed by an equally cool finish from Ade Ashton.

One fixture played in the Combe Martin Cup was an absolute classic, as Shebbear United defeated Morwenstow on penalties after an epic 4-4 draw in normal time.

The home side grabbed the lead with a delicious lob from Taylor Quick and this was soon followed by a goal from Joe Wildern. Shebbear were cruising when Wildern added another but Morwenstow pulled one back to keep the game lively.

James Vanstone restored the three-goal cushion before Morwenstow reduced the arrears to 4-2 in a breathless first period. Incredibly, the visitors found another gear after the break and dragged the game to penalties, with the Morwenstow scorers Ritchie Armstrong, Jake Gilbert, Sam Jones and Callum Rogers.

On to the spot-kick lottery and Sheb held their nerve to progress but credit to both teams for a fantastic afternoon of grassroots drama.

Boca Seniors 2nds will join them in the last four after a 4-1 win at Fremington 2nds. Harry Pipe (2), Bailey Robertson and Matthew Deakin were the Boca scorers, with Kristian Drew notching the Fremmy consolation.

Braunton 3rds defeated Georgeham & Croyde Rovers 2-1 in the only Arlington Cup fixture played.

Picture from Shebbear United