Boca show title resolve at Combe Martin

By [mjenkin]

IF Boca Seniors go on to secure a fourth consecutive Premier Division title, they will look back on the trip to Combe Martin as a major test passed.

The champions knew they would be in for a tough time against fired-up opponents on a treacherous playing surface, but in the end they returned from Hollands Park unscathed.

Late goals from Taro Bishop and Mark Barrow secured a 4-2 win which closed the gap on leaders Ilfracombe Town to just one point.

But that didn't tell half the story of a cracking match between two sides determined to play football despite the icy surface.

On a day when plenty other North Devon fixtures were frosted off, the game only went ahead after a late pitch inspection from referee Nipper Peake.

That decision seemed to suit the visitors initially as Richard Shannon waltzed clear to slot the opening goal.

Yet Combe Martin's determination to get back into the game was rewarded when Elliot Whitecross produced a finish of real composure.

Resisting the temptation to thrash at the ball from the edge of the box, Whitecross cleverly guided a shot beyond Darren Babb into the far corner.

By then Boca skipper Barrow had been denied from six yards by home goalkeeper Danny Turton and seen a clever lob skim the crossbar.

And player-boss Turton stood up to thwart Shannon as the striker charged goalwards on the stroke of half-time.

Moments after the restart, the visitors regained the lead when centre-back Shaun Ley rose highest in the area to head home Barrow's corner.

Yet the impressive Whitecross struck again from outside the box — proving his first finish was no fluke.

This time he let the ball run across his body before lashing past Babb and in off the post from 20 yards.

Roared on by the passionate home support and with Joe Seldon working overtime in midfield, the hosts enjoyed their best spell of the game.

Danny Bell could have given them the lead for the first time yet delayed his shot, giving Babb the chance to smother.

Bell was inches away from the ball as Ray Squire's cross begged for a finishing touch.

It looked as though it wouldn't be Boca's day when Barrow broke from midfield but lobbed inches wide of Turton's post. But the introduction of Jake Crush for the final 10 minutes provided the missing inspiration.

On for Lee Langmead, Crush controlled with his first touch and picked out Bishop with a defence-splitting pass. The youngster avoided the offside trap and tucked the ball low into the corner for a 3-2 lead.

Turton had made a string of fine saves to keep his team in the game, so it was harsh on the keeper when his spillage led to the fourth goal.

Matt Deakin's long-range shot squirmed from his grasp and Barrow followed up to confirm a valuable win.

Their county cup exploits mean Boca are playing catch-up in the league, but with three games in hand on Ilfracombe, they look ready to return to the top.

No one at the Tarka Centre will expect an easy ride this week, however — Combe Martin come to Barnstaple for an instant rematch.

Bradworthy ended a run of five league games without a win, grafting to a 4-2 success at Hartland.

Gary Clarke gave the visitors an early lead from the spot — the first of four penalties awarded by referee Colin Selley.

Norman Foster tucked an equalising shot past Will Radford but his composure disappeared when he blazed a second spot-kick over the bar.

Brad pulled clear thanks to young substitutes Liam Curtis and Lee Clarke after the break. Half-time sub Curtis made it 2-1 before Clarke swept in the third goal with his first touch.

Although Danny Gifford gave Hartland hope, Carlo Chandler added Brad's fourth, taking over penalty duties from Gary Clarke, who left the action feeling unwell at half-time.

Since losing Paul Dart with a long-term knee injury, Hartland's season has become a struggle, but the influential midfielder still looks several weeks away from fitness.

Manager Ian Pillman said: "Realistically, it's a relegation battle and it's whether we have got the heart to stay up.

"We'll keep plugging away. Rather than playing football, we have got to make ourselves hard to beat and get men behind the ball. We have got to get the mentality right."