North Devon Football League round-up – Saturday, March 1

HOLSWORTHY’S up and down campaign continued in the Premier Division on Saturday as they were beaten 3-2 at second-placed Fremington.

The Magpies headed up to the outskirts of Barnstaple knowing a couple of wins should ensure Step Eight football for another season, but despite goals from Will Harris and sub Jonny Lang, efforts from Will Jones, Oliver Fosberry and Brandon Sharples were enough for the villagers.

In the Premier Division League Cup quarter-finals, Hartland were thrashed 8-2 by visiting Torridgeside Reserves, while Appledore Reserves conceded their tie to Shamwickshire Rovers.

Morwenstow put ten past bottom side Northam Lions to move to within two points of third-placed Boca Seniors in the Senior Division.

The Lions, who now have a goal difference of minus 150, kept things relatively tight before the break in only being 2-0 down, but the heavens soon opened.

Jake Gilbert helped himself to another hat-trick, as did sub Phil Horton, with the other four coming via Ritchie Armstrong (2), Harry Savage and Callum Rogers.

The Greens remain two points behind Boca Seniors Reserves who also have two games in-hand after Boca won 2-0 at Bideford Reserves.

Morwenstow also sit eight points behind second-placed Woolsery who were beaten 1-0 by mid-table Fremington Reserves, but do have two games in-hand.

In the League Cup, leaders Braunton Reserves needed a penalty shootout to see off AFC Dumnonii Reserves after a six-goal thriller.

Braunton won the penalties 4-2, while the other League Cup tie saw Lynton handed a home walkover by High Bickington.

Bradworthy are through to the Intermediate One Arlington Cup semi-finals after a remarkable 7-4 victory at Sandymere Blues.

The Horniwinks, who had advanced in the Devon Junior Cup against Ashburton the week before, trailed 3-2 at the break, but put on the afterburners after the restart.

Five goals were shared by attackers Dom Abbott (3) and Bradley Birch, while Callum Johns and Tudor Placinta also netted.

Elsewhere in the cup, Hartland Reserves are into the last four after goals from Keith Cornish (2) and sub Alfie Scott helped them past Kingsley Wizards 3-2, while the other tie saw Combe Martin Reserves come from behind to knock out Langtree Lions by two goals to one.

Putford are up to third in Intermediate One after edging a seven-goal thriller against visiting Georgeham and Croyde Rovers.

Sub Tom Gleeson was the hero for Putford who also scored through Will Richards and Harvey Dack.

Holsworthy Thirds and Morwenstow Reserves were both comfortably beaten by the top two.

Leaders Shamwickshire Rovers Reserves visited Stanhope Park to take on Holsworthy and ran out 6-1 winners with three goals coming in each half. The hosts netted through Harry Grigg.

Morwenstow made the long trip up to Braunton Reserves and lost 3-0.