It’s that time of year again and the Boxing Day North Devon derby is upon us. Neither side have had the best of seasons so far with Bideford in 13th and Barnstaple bottom of Division One South. Saturday’s comeback win over AFC Totton was Bideford’s first league win in eight games and followed a hard earned point at Winchester a week prior. Barnstaple’s poor form saw the resignation of Kevin Darch and Dave Griffiths and the introduction of former captain Aaron Harper-Penman as manager. His his first game in charge ended in a 6-0 thumping at Cinderford on Saturday. However Barum have proven their capabilities in late October/early November when they picked up three straight wins over Paulton, Winchester and most impressively high flying Yate.

Form Guide

Barnstaple Town’s last six (LLLDLL) Pos 20th W3 D0 L15 Pts 9
22/12/18 Cinderford Town 6 Barnstaple Town 0 (League)
15/12/18 Barnstaple Town 0 Cirencester Town 5 (League)
11/12/18 Cullompton Rangers 3 Barnstaple Town 3 (St Lukes QF) *Cullompton won 4-2 on pens
08/12/18 Melksham Town 3 Barnstaple Town 0 (League)
01/12/18 Barnstaple Town 0 AFC Totton 4 (League)
24/11/18 Fleet Town 4 Barnstaple Town 3 (League)

Bideford’s last six (LLLWDW) Pos 13th W6 D4 L8 Pts 22
22/12/18 Bideford 3 AFC Totton 2 (League)
15/12/18 Winchester City 2 Bideford 2 (League)
11/12/18 Wimborne Town 1 Bideford 2 (League Cup R3)
08/12/18 Bideford 0 Thatcham Town 1 (League)
01/12/18 Cinderford Town 4 Bideford 2 (League)
24/11/18 Bideford 1 Moneyfields 3 (League)

A Brief History of Barnstaple Town FC
North Devon League founder members Pilton Yeo Vale were founded in 1904 and became Barnstaple Town in 1905. Barnstaple spent the first half of the century playing local league football in the North Devon League and the Devon & Exeter League until joining Western League Division Two for the 1948/49 season. In 1949/50 Barnstaple were Division Two champions and were promoted to Division One. Barum became Western League champions in 1952/53 and once again in 1979/80 (now the Premier Division). They were relegated back to the second tier (Division One) in 1990/91 but bounced back as Division One champions in 1993/94. Barnstaple were relegated back to Division One in 2012/13 but once again returned to the Premier after winning their third Division One title in 2014/15. Barum carried that momentum in to 2015/16 finishing as runners-up in the Premier Division and accepting promotion to the Southern League for the first time after champions Odd Down turned down the opportunity. In their first season in Division One South & West Barum finished 17th. In 2017/18 they finished in 21st position and narrowly avoided relegation. Barnstaple Town are two time Western League champions, three time Western Division One champions and also Western Division Two title winners. They have won the Devon St Luke's Bowl on one occasion and have also reached the first round proper of the FA Cup four times.

Barnstaple Town FC
Mill Road
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1JQ
Tel: 01271 343469
Web: http://www.barnstapletownfc.com
Twitter: @Official_BTFC

Most recent meetings:
27/08/18 Bideford 1 Barnstaple Town 0 (Southern Div One West)
26/12/17 Bideford 1 Barnstaple Town 1 (Southern Div One West)
28/08/17 Barnstaple Town 1 Bideford 2 (Southern Div One West)
26/12/16 Barnstaple Town 0 Bideford 1 (Southern Div One S&W)
08/11/16 Bideford 1 Barnstaple Town 4 (Southern League Cup R2)
29/08/16 Bideford 2 Barnstaple Town 1 (Southern Div One S&W)
18/11/14 Barnstaple Town 0 Bideford 1 (Devon St Luke's Bowl QF)
02/04/10 Barnstaple Town 3 Bideford 2 (Western League Premier)
26/12/09 Bideford 4 Barnstaple Town 3 (Western League Premier)
10/04/09 Bideford 1 Barnstaple Town 1 (Western League Premier)
26/12/08 Barnstaple Town 1 Bideford 3 (Western League Premier)

Regardless of league positions the North Devon is almost always a tight encounter. Six of the last eight meetings in the league have been settled by the odd goal while the other two have been draws. In the last ten meetings between the sides six have been won by Bideford, two by Barnstaple and two have been draws. Bideford came out on top earlier this season at the Sports Ground with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Matt Ward.