Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round
Saturday 22nd August 2026
At Blaise Park

Barnstaple Town’s below-par performance led to a passive and costly defeat at the hands of their energetic Western League hosts, who made light of the difference in league status between the two teams.
Ben Potter’s side have now been eliminated from both FA competitions in the space of a fortnight, after a narrow and in many ways unlucky loss at AFC Stoneham in the FA Trophy.
But Saturday’s FA Cup tie was by no means such a close event, with the home side’s swift attacking intent and robust play in both midfield and defence making the visitors look second best for long periods especially in the second half.
Barum were without Brodie Montague, Adam Hill and Tyler Elliott, with Tommy Rogers moving to centre-back and ex-Taunton youngster Tom Symons making a starting eleven debut in the left-back position.
St Blazey came into the game with an undefeated record in their opening seven matches, having ousted fellow league rivals Tavistock in a home replay in the previous round.
As in the resoundingly 6-0 win at Buckland Athletic in the extra-preliminary round, Barum showed promise in the early stages. Joe Hatch poached the lead in the sixth minute with a sharp finish from Tom Symons’ assist in a crowded six-yard box, and several other opportunities followed in the opening half hour.
But St Blazey battled back strongly and positively, and would have considered themselves unfortunate to be in arrears at the interval. A matter of some concern to Barnstaple, but a motivating factor in St Blazey’s half-time team talk.
And worst fears were confirmed after just seven minutes into the second period. More intelligent pressing in midfield opened up a huge gap on the left of the Barum defence, leaving Harry Blows to surge unchallenged into the penalty area and equalise with a low accurate shot into the far corner.
For Barum, Joe Hatch nearly restored the lead with a leaping header inches past the angle just before the hour, and a few minutes later an increasingly rare passing sequence enabled Josh Parry to set up a chance snuffed out by excellent defending in front of goal.
But that was the last real threat. St Blazey were looking ever more dangerous, winning many of the important duels and creating direct breaks from midfield. In quick succession they had a plausible penalty appeal turned down by the referee, forced Ollie Saunders into a full-length save from Tallan Mitchell’s 20-yard drive, and somehow had a good chance scrambled away by the visitors’ under-pressure back line.
An inevitable second goal came in the 77th minute when Kai Burrell took advantage of space, uncertainty and a loose ball 20 yards out to fire an instant first-time drive low into the net to give his side a much-deserved lead.
From that point on, St Blazey were the more determined and hard-working of the two sides, comfortable holding off the approach play from their weary-looking opponents, and indeed looking the more likely to add to the scoreline.
The lost opportunity to go deeper into this prestigious competition - and to benefit financially - became even more significant with subsequent news of the draw for the First Qualifying Round, which awarded St Blazey a lucrative and winnable Home tie against Barum’s near neighbours and League rivals Tiverton Town.
Barnstaple now have ten days to put this lack-lustre performance behind them and recover some resolve and pride, as they prepare to face only their second League game of the season on Bank Holiday Monday (31st August, 3pm) with a visit to Falmouth Town. Cornwall’s only current Step 4 team have won two FA Cup ties this season – against Bideford at Home and Street Away – but have lost both their League games – against Willand Rovers at Home and Weymouth Away.
Barnstaple Town at St Blazey (with substitutes): Ollie Saunders (GK), Joe Grigg (Fin King-Smith 72’), Lee Gardiner (Capt), Tommy Rogers, Tom Symons, Alex Moyse (Charlie Wright 81’) , Scott Piper (River Allen 67’), Luke Mortimore, Gabby Rogers, Joe Hatch, Josh Parry (Stan Jenkins 86’). Unused: Oscar Knight, Luke Potter, Jimmy Thorne..
Scoring: Joe Hatch 6’ (0-1), Harry Blows 53’ (1-1), Kai Burrell 77’ (2-1).
Match Officials: Mike Lazarus (Referee) with Graham Rickard and Cally Parsons (Assistants).
Attendance: 185.