Joy and despair for Ilfracombe Town

It has been an Easter weekend of colossal contrasting fortunes for Ilfracombe Town AFC.

Travelling to high-flying local rivals Barnstaple Town on Good Friday, the Bluebirds needed a win to retain any hope of climbing out of the Western League bottom two.

In a feisty derby that saw the officials working as hard as the players, Ilfracombe delivered an incredible 3-0 victory, thanks to a double from Fin King-Smith and a goal from Riley Malin.

It was a win that set the menu for a massive Easter Monday visit from Buckland Athletic, the South Devon club also needing a win to secure their place in the play-offs alongside Barum, Brixham and Clevedon, with Portishead confirmed as champions.

Just like they had done to Barnstaple, the Bluebirds set about their high-flying opponents with impressive vigour, relentlessly knocking on the door for a breakthrough. Sadly, the goal refused to arrive, and Buckland pinched all three points with a last-gasp goal from former Torquay striker Jared Lewington.

Despite their best efforts, Ilfracombe Town will finish the Western League season in the bottom two, while Barum can look forward to the play-offs, as they recovered from the surprise local setback with an excellent 3-2 success at Brixham.

Lee Gardiner gave Barum a one-goal lead at half-time in sunny Torbay, but Brixham pegged their visitors back after the break. Billy Hopcroft restored the lead, only for Brixham to level again, but Barum pinched the win with a super finish from Josh Parry.

It has been a superb Easter for Bideford AFC. First up, goals from Jack Winsor, Finn Roberts, Jordan Ewing and Josh Webber gave the Robins a 4-1 home win over Mousehole, and they followed that up with a 4-2 triumph at Willand, Alex Moyse, Javan Wright, Roberts and Scott Robinson on target in Mid-Devon.

Torrington won the North Devon derby 1-0 at Torridgeside in the South West Peninsula League on Good Friday. Torrington finish their campaign at Newton Abbot Spurs, while the T-Siders host Elburton Villa.

The future of youth football in Devon is clearly in safe hands, as the U18s from Bovey Tracey and Braunton served up a genuine classic in the County Cup Final at Coach Road.

In a pulsating game, Bovey skipper Harley Collier headed his side in front on just two minutes, and the Moorlanders soon doubled that advantage. Braunton halved the deficit in a blistering start to the game but further goals gave Bovey a comfortable 4-1 lead at the interval.

In a superb response from the North Devon youngsters, Braunton scored twice without answer to set up an incredible finish to the game. Bovey had to withstand heavy pressure before a goal on the counter secured a 5-3 win for the Moorlanders, but a brilliant effort from the Braunton boys.