Football round-up from across Devon

The international break handed focus to Exeter City and Torquay United on the Devon pro football scene, and it was a case of last-minute drama for both clubs, one of delight and one despair. 

The Grecians were on course to cement their place at the top of Sky Bet League One when Demi Mitchell struck a magnificent volley into the net early in the second half, but Leyton Orient levelled within six minutes and then pinched the points with a late stunner from Ruel Sotiriou. 

While Exeter were left reeling in stoppage time, Torquay United’s Plainmoor ground witnessed a last-gasp own goal gave the Gulls a 2-1 victory at home to Chelmsford City in National League South. Torquay are now up to third in the division. 

Three Devon clubs took their first steps in the FA Trophy on Saturday and the tie of the round was arguably at Exmouth Town, where the hosts shared a 3-3 thriller with Wimborne Town before sneaking through on penalties.  

Willand Rovers bowed out with a 2-0 loss at Larkhall Athletic but there was better news for Tavistock, who put aside a sticky start in the league to win 2-0 at Yate Town, thanks to goals from substitutes Colin Pritchard and Jacob Bowker. 

Tiverton Town travelled to Bracknell Town and will wish they hadn’t bothered, as the Yellows struggled in the sticky heat, going down to a 3-0 defeat. In the same division, Plymouth Parkway continue to struggle for form, losing 2-1 at home to Hanwell Town.  

There is a Cornish vibe at the top of the Toolstation Western League, with Helston Athletic and Falmouth Town occupying the top two places, and Torpoint Athletic in fourth. Clevedon Town are the gatecrashers in third. 

However, there is a Devon influence among the front-runners, as Barnstaple Town stretched their unbeaten start to six matches with a 2-0 victory at Nailsea & Twickenham. A Billy Tucker penalty and Harry Foster’s strike did the job for Barum.  

Buckland Athletic shared a 3-3 draw with Street but Brixham were beaten 1-0 at Clevedon. After a bright opening to the campaign, Ilfracombe Town were unable to find the same level of performance in their 3-0 home loss to Torpoint.  

Ivybridge Town have been outstanding in the first few weeks of the South-West Peninsula League, winning seven and drawing just once in their opening eight games. A hat-trick from Luke Forward carried the Ivies to a 4-1 triumph at Cullompton on the weekend but Bridport are chasing hard, as they maintained their 100% record with a 6-3 success at home to Crediton. 

Okehampton Argyle have been understandably distracted by their impressive cup exploits in the early stages of the season but it is now back on league focus, as they recorded a 3-1 win at Stoke Garbiel & Torbay Police.  

Torrington hosted Bishops Lydeard and it was another top match, Brad Williams scoring a brace in a 3-2 win for the Super Greens, who quickly shifted attention to a midweek local derby with Torridgeside.  

Sidmouth Town were impressive in dismantling Axminster in midweek and they kept up the same momentum with a 4-0 demolition of Dartmouth, Louis Jagger Cane and Will Jenkins both grabbing doubles for the Vikings.  

Honiton Town’s first home game of the season ended in a 1-1 draw with Bovey Tracey, while Newton Abbot Spurs and Axminster shared a goalless draw. The one Devon side in the West division of the SWPL, Holsworthy, beat Penzance 2-0 thanks to a Lewis Haxell brace. 

Devon County Cup fixtures dominated a lot of the local scene and there were some cracking ties all across the County, although not so much for Plymouth Hope, who suffered a painful 17-0 defeat at Ipplepen Athletic.  

Ilsington Villa also recorded a very impressive win, beating Topsham Town 7-1, while Feniton negotiated the tricky trip to Horrabridge Rangers with a 4-0 success.  Park United beat Lakeside Athletic 4-3 in a thrilling game and champions Mount Gould marched into the next round with a 3-0 win at home to North Molton.