Barnstaple and Bideford on course for the new football season

Barnstaple Town will kick-off their 2025/26 Western League campaign with a trip to Paulton Rovers and their penultimate pre-season fixture dished up a six-goal thriller.

Welcoming Peninsula League outfit Teignmouth to Mill Road, Barum made the ideal start with a caressed Lee Gardiner finish into the bottom corner, and the lead was doubled with a scruffy second.

The Teigns, who suffered a traumatic campaign last season after their home pitch was ruled unplayable due to a landslip, pulled one back and then shocked Barum with a long-range leveller.

After the break, a sumptuous strike gave Teignmouth a surprise lead, but Barnstaple rallied impressively to earn a 3-3 draw from a Luke Mortimore goal, continuing his fine form over the past few weeks.

After the trip to Paulton, Barum welcome Buckland Athletic for their opening home game in the league on Tuesday, July 29, and then a tricky trip to Southern League Willand Rovers in the FA Cup.

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Bideford’s summer prep was handed an irritating setback after their friendly with Wellington was postponed but the Robins do now know how their Southern League campaign will pan out.

Ironically, before the league action, Bideford will do belated battle with Wellington at The Sports Ground in the FA Cup, and then it is Westbury United at home for the Southern League opener on Saturday, August 9.

Trips to Shaftesbury and Mousehole come next and the September schedule includes another game with Mousehole, this time at home in the FA Trophy and league encounters with Melksham Town (H), Bashley (H), Bishops Cleeve (A) and Falmouth Town (H).

The Christmas schedule will take the Robins to Exmouth Town the day after Boxing Day and then the familiar foes from Mousehole visit on January 3. The league is due to end with a visit from Bishops Cleeve on Saturday, April 25.

Ilfracombe Town begin their Peninsula League East campaign at home to Teignmouth on Saturday, August 2, and the Bluebirds warmed up with a dominant 4-0 friendly win over Bude Town, Owen Pickard (2), Leo Barraball and Jack Jenkins scoring the goals.

Shaun Copp scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for Torridgeside at Appledore, the T-Siders welcome Ilminster Town in their opening game, while Torrington won by the same score at Topsham Town, Callum Deemer the man on target. The Super Greens begin their league season at Axminster Town.