Western League Premier: Saturday 11th April 2026
An early goal in this last Home fixture of the season secured a richly deserved win for Barnstaple against their high-flying rivals, and massively increased the chances of promotion to the Southern League.
Both teams came into this all-important encounter on an unbeaten run of eight games, but a previous administrative error resulted in Clevedon being officially penalised the day before the match with a six-point deduction causing them to drop from first to fourth place.
Despite this, the visitors made a positive start with the strong wind at their back and over the first half hour forced the increasingly assured Ollie Saunders into three good saves.
The telling moment however came after just eight minutes when the visitors’ defence was pulled out of position and Neil Slateford screwed the ball low into the far corner from the edge of the area, the defensive midfielder’s third goal in a red shirt.
Shortly afterwards, Shea Mannings had a golden chance to double the lead but missed the target, and in the later stages of the first half it was the hosts on the offensive, Josh Parry firing over and having a goal-bound shot blocked in quick succession.
The second half saw Barnstaple in control of much of the play, and with Clevedon unable to make much headway against the wind and a stubborn opposition, it took them until the 80th minute to come anywhere near an equaliser, with a shot cleared in front of goal.
In the meantime, Josh Parry’s agility and acceleration earned his side a distinct advantage when he was fouled as he broke through on goal in the 63rd minute, centre back James Wakefield’s offence making the Referee’s sending-off decision clear-cut.
From the resultant free kick, keeper James Dunn kept his side in contention with outstanding saves from Gabby Rogers’ drive and Tommy Rogers’ follow-up, but Ben Potters’ men went on to handle the conditions and the occasion well to see the game out.
How the final few days of the season could shape up:
The Clevedon win sees Barnstaple approach their final game of the regular season - at Oldland Abbotonians* on Saturday (18th) - in second place on 74 points, one behind leaders Paulton Rovers and four ahead of Torpoint Athletic, the latter having three games left to play.
Barum’s current goal difference is vastly inferior to Paulton’s (by 15), but better than Torpoint’s (by 9).
Torpoint have two mid-week games – Away at Oldland this Tuesday and at Home next week against Wellington, both of which they are expected to win, but the intriguing one is their Home fixture against Paulton on Saturday. Assuming Torpoint win both their midweek matches, Barum’s championship aspirations depend on a combination of a win at Oldland and a Torpoint/Paulton draw – in which case the title could be decided in their favour on goal difference.
On the other hand, three wins for Torpoint, or one win for Paulton, would put the title out of their reach, but leave Barum in second place and a Home tie in the play-off semi-final against 5th place Sidmouth or Newquay.
* A supporters’ coach leaves for Oldland on Saturday at 10.25am.

Barnstaple v Clevedon line up:
Ollie Saunders (GK), Joe Grigg, Tommy Rogers, Adam Hill, Lee Gardener (Capt), Neil Slateford, Luke Mortimore, River Allen, Shea Mannings (sub: Oscar Knight 84’), Gabby Rogers, Josh Parry.
Unused substitutes: Tallan Burns, Ryan Keates, Riley Malin, Luke Potter.

Attendance: 307

Andrew Large