GALLERY: Lakeside Athletic produce five-star showing in opening league game

LAKESIDE Athletic opened their 2023-24 Devon Football League campaign with an entertaining 5-3 home victory over Barnstaple Town Reserves at the Parkway on Saturday.

The hosts had found themselves 1-0 down after just six minutes, but grew into the highly-competitive game and levelled on 19 minutes when captain and birthday boy Billy Northcott rounded the Barnstaple goalkeeper to fire into the empty net.

Lakeside hit the post 10 minutes before half-time before taking control of the game in the first 25 minutes of the second half to go 4-1 up.

They got the perfect start to the second period when Jack Presland fired them in front after beating the off-side trap, before Lloyd Russell scored following a corner, which Barnstaple failed to clear and the visitors were caught out when the ball was swung back in.

It got better for the home club on 70 minutes when Richard Henniker scored with a header at the far post.

But two goals in two minutes by Barnstaple gave the visitors hope, but Michael Storey made sure Lakeside bagged the three points 12 minutes from time.

Barnstaple’s goals came from Sam Bithell, Liam Martin and Eddy Pope.

All pictures are low resolution and are protected by copyright so should not be used without permission.

VIEW OTHER GALLERIES HERE