Barum knocking on the top table door in Jewson Western League

A quarter of the football season has already been played at Barnstaple Town should be feeling relatively satisfied with their start in the Jewson Western League.

Barum have lost only three of their opening 11 fixtures and underlined the growing belief at Mill Road with a competent 3-1 victory over Ivybridge Town on a windy day at Mill Road. Gabby Rogers scored twice for Barnstaple, one a long-range cracker and the second with his head. Tommy Rogers sealed the points with a third after the break.

“It was a brilliant win, although we were a bit shaky toward the end of the first half and they caught us on the break,” said Barnstaple boss Ben Potter.

“The second half was a very mature performance, everyone worked their socks off. It was good to get all the subs on, minutes in the legs, and the first goal from Gabby Rogers was class. He’s added scoring to his game recently, which is what we need from him.”

Barum head to Buckland Athletic on Wednesday night.

Bideford AFC are out of the FA Trophy following a 4-0 defeat at Dorchester Town from the division above. The Robins fell behind to a double strike inside 23 minutes and a third on the stroke of half-time effectively ended the game as a contest. Bideford host Sporting Club Inkberrow in the Southern League on Saturday.

Holsworthy have made a super start in the Peninsula League West Division but the weekend brought a rare blip for the Magpies, as they slipped to a 3-1 home defeat against Wendron United.

In the East Division, it was double disappointment for North Devon clubs Torrington and Torridgeside, both at home to high-flying visitors.

Torrington battled bravely in a howling wind and were on course for a 1-1 draw with Newton Abbot Spurs before the visitors pinched all three points with a very soft late penalty.

Torridgside briefly led Bridport 2-1 with a double from Tyler Evans-Loude but the visitors are near the top for a reason, pouncing on some hesitant defending to score twice in the closing stages for a 3-2 victory.

There was better news for Ilfracombe Town, who defeated Bishops Lydeard 2-0 with goals from Riley Malin and Jake Chesworth.

There is a tasty North Devon derby in the League Cup on Friday evening, when Torridgeside host Holsworthy. Torrington welcome Teignmouth in the same competition and Ilfracombe are at home to Dobwalls.