Barnstaple Town 4-0 Worcester Raiders
Pitching In Southern League Division One South
Saturday 5th September 2026
At Mill Road

Scorers: Tyler Elliott (22'), Luke Mortimore (24'), Josh Parry (29'), Gabby Rogers (77')

​Barum's first Southern League match at Mill Road for four years ended in a convincing win to put much welcome points on the board after a narrow defeat at Tiverton and a disappointing loss at Falmouth in their opening two fixtures.

This match was brought forward from February by mutual agreement, with both teams had a blank Saturday after being eliminated from the FA Cup.

Raiders earned promotion through the play-offs last season from the Hellenic League to the highest level in their short history, and started well by winning their first Southern League match 3-1 at Home against Larkhall Athletic.

Pre-match, this was considered a 'must win' for Barum against a fellow-promoted side, but for the first twenty minutes the visitors, with the sun and breeze behind them, looked the more lively, a couple of corners and a free kick testing the home defence.

But then came an extraordinary seven minutes in which Barnstaple grabbed the initiative with three goals to settle the nerves and provide the platform for an improved performance all round.

Tyler Elliott scored his first goal since his recent signing for the club with a low volley from the edge of the box, quickly followed by Luke Mortimore pouncing on a rebound from Gabby Rogers’ angled shot to net from close range. Josh Parry then left his markers trailing with a typical burst of pace to roll the ball past exposed keeper Charlie Emery for a third goal before the half hour.

The second half saw Raiders having plenty of possession, with captain Jordan Murphy influential in midfield, but providing no direct threat apart from a couple of long-range shots not far off target.

And with a positive Barum looking the more likely to score, Gabby Rogers removed any possibility of a serious Raiders comeback when he surged into the area to drive an unstoppable shot into the far corner with under 15 minutes left to play.

Manager Ben Potter was pleased to see his side at last show what they are capable of, including a clean sheet, and looked forward to seeing that performance carry forward into the next stage of the season.

The victory was marred by news of a serious injury to young striker Joe Hatch, who was carried off a few minutes after the interval.

The return League fixture at Worcestershire FA County Ground is in a few weeks' time on Saturday 24th October.

Barum now have two Home games in quick succession.

This coming Saturday (12th), another re-arranged fixture fills a vacant date originally reserved for FA Trophy action, with Bishops Cleeve the visitors for a 3pm kick off.

And on the following Tuesday (15th), Exmouth Town travel from South Devon for a 7.45pm kick off.

Barnstaple Town line-up v Worcester Raiders (with substitutes):
Ollie Saunders (GK), Brodie Montague, Alex Moyse (Scott Piper 70'), Lee Gardiner (Capt), Adam Hill, Tommy Rogers, Luke Mortimore (Fin King-Smith 75'), Tyler Elliott (Joe Grigg 82'), Joe Hatch (Oscar Knight 51'), Gabby Rogers, Josh Parry (Luke Potter 78').

Match Officials:
James Salt (Referee) with Michael Richards & Mark Bright (Assistants).

Attendance: 222