Wembley dream still alive for Barnstaple Town in the FA Vase

Barnstaple Town booked their place in the next round of the FA Vase with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory at Buckland Athletic, with Wembley still the final destination.

Travelling to a familiar ground in South Devon, Barum and the Bucks have been Western League rivals for quite some time, and the two clubs often serve up cracking encounters.

This was no exception, as Buckland forced a top early from goalkeeper Mike Searle before Barnstaple went close at the other end through Gabby Rogers.

Barum’s momentum was halted by a nasty injury to Luke Mortimore, and the home side took advantage of the lengthy stoppage time to grab the lead through Ryan Bush, picking up the rebound after Searle had saved the initial effort.

Barum replied within four minutes of the restart, Josh Parry expertly finishing from an awkward angle, but the celebrations were cut short by Buckland restoring their lead, Bush again the scorer from close range.

A rollercoaster game turned back in favour of Barnstaple on the hour, Rogers levelling the scores after more good work from Parry. Barum were then struck by a harsh dismissal for Oscar Knight and there was plenty of tension in the closing stages with both sides desperate to find the winner.

In a strange shoot-out, Searle emerged the Barum hero, as Buckland missed all four of their penalties. Barnstaple found the net twice from the spot, enough to secure a place in the fourth round for only the second time in the club’s history.

The Southern League picture is beginning to look a lot more comfortable for Bideford AFC, as the Robins bagged an excellent 2-0 victory at Westbury United to move into mid-table.

The deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion in Wiltshire, Finn Roberts providing another demonstration of left-foot precision as he scored a sumptuous volley from a Jack Winsor cross for a half-time lead.

Bideford continued to create the better chances, as Roberts went close to a second and Winsor struck the bar with a rocket effort. Westbury did respond with a spell of pressure but they were then caught on the counter, Winsor slotting a low finish to confirm three valuable points.

The Robins welcome Larkhall Athletic to the Sport Ground on Saturday and then it is a Christmas trip to Exmouth Town on December 27.

Ilfracombe Town moved into the top five in the South West Peninsula League thanks to a thumping 4-0 win over Bishops Lydeard, Ollie Stevens and Charlie Wright both bagging a brace for the Bluebirds.

Josh Stoneman scored the goal to earn Torridgeside an impressive 1-1 draw at Bridport, although the T-Siders probably had enough chances to win the game. Torrington, meanwhile, endured a tough afternoon at Newton Abbot Spurs, going down to a 6-2 defeat.

In the Peninsula West Division, Jedd Peschke earned Holsworthy a 1-1 draw with Millbrook at Upcott, a result that leaves Holsworthy sixth in the table but a long way behind runaway leaders Liskeard and Elburton.