THE CLOSEST North Devon Journal League premier division title race in years has reached the critical stage and only one thing is certain: Bradworthy will have their say.

They produced a typically committed display to land a body blow on champions Boca Seniors with a 4-3 win.

Fellow contenders North Molton and Barnstaple AAC still have to make one of the toughest away trips in North Devon football.

Brad are a match for anyone in the league with their high-tempo style. Boca found that out on Saturday when Toby Curtis, Craig Darby and Ben Curtis had them reeling at 3-0 down in 20 minutes.

Although a double from Giles Daniel and one from Richie Joslin led the revival, the game, and possibly the championship, was out of Boca's reach when Rob Hambly made it 4-2 with a deflected free kick.

The result left Boca's hopes for a fifth title hanging by a thread ahead of last night's vital derby with the Ammies.

And it underlined how important Shamwickshire Rovers' win at Bradworthy was last month.

Shammy, who face their own title showdown against North Molton on Saturday, have recovered from last week's shock defeat to Torrington.

Gary Skinner hit the only goal as they bounced back by beating Molton in the away fixture last Wednesday.

Then, on Saturday, they became the second side to win at Combe Martin. Andy Allan scored twice, with James Bateman and Ben Evans-Loude rounding off a 4-1 triumph.

Ray Squire replied for the hosts, who have seen their own challenge ended by four straight defeats.

First-half goals from prolific striker Scott Sharp gave Barnstaple AAC a comfortable 2-0 success against Putford as they warmed up for a big week.

After last night's clash with Boca, they take on Braunton in tonight's Torridge Cup final.

North Molton had a straightforward three points on Saturday when Georgeham and Croyde were unable to raise a side.

They got a team together for Sunday's trip to Ilfracombe Town but returned home empty handed.Byrone Montague (two) and Kye Goodman helped the Bluebirds storm 3-0 ahead by half time and they held on for a 3-2 win.

It looks like a straight fight between Combe and Morwenstow to avoid the second relegation place.

Will Bryant, Andy Heywood and Danny Gifford gave the Cornishmen a 3-2 win against Torrington after Danny Jenkins struck twice for the visitors.

But they could only find ten players for the trip to Torridgeside and paid the price with a demoralising 16-0 loss.

Substitute Martin Boundy celebrated his birthday with a four-goal haul, Kyle Paine and Mark Sussex both scored hat-tricks and the rest came from Craig Allan (two), James Tillier (two), Paul Boundy and James Mayne.

In a dress rehearsal for this weekend's Brayford Cup final, Torridgeside lost 4-0 to Braunton with Jason Jones, Mark Sanders, Russell Harrison and Elliot Whitecross doing the damage.

Ilfracombe were thumped 7-0 by in-form Appledore on Tuesday night as Sam Fishwick (two), Phil Kelly (two), Nick Fishwick, Keiran Harris and Matt Bolton rewarded the Fishermen's flowing football.

Kelly was on target, too, against Combe Martin, while Sean Downing ran riot with five goals in the 6-0 win last Wednesday.

Hartland were the victims on Saturday thanks to Rob Avery and two goals apiece from Bolton, Harris and Sam Grimley.

Bideford ended a run of seven defeats with wins against Ilfracombe and Torrington.

Chris Smailes, Rob Ousley and Graham Rooke kept them on terms at Torrie before a late double from Sam Schiller sealed a 5-3 win.

Niall Heeney (two), Mark Cann and Sam Paddon clinched a 4-2 win at Marlborough Park. Combe replied through Mark Gilfillan and Montague.

● For a report on last night's game between Boca Seniors and Barnstaple AAC see the website www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk.