BIDEFORD 2 KETTERING TOWN 0
Bideford stretched their unbeaten run to six matches with this hard fought victory over promotion chasing Kettering Town on Saturday afternoon.
Report by North Devon Journal
Goals in each half from Kevin Squire and Sean Downing inflicted the damage as the hosts climbed to within five points of safety in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division.
Kettering, who could have gone up to seventh with a win, had their moments but failed to properly test Kyle Moore in the Bideford goal, as the Robins saw out their fourth game in 12 days with a victory. Sean Joyce adopted a less direct approach to the encounter as his side got the ball down and passed it around nicely on a difficult surface.
And after Moore had kept out Gary Mulligan's header on six minutes, that approach paid dividends as Stephen Reed picked out Nick Barker's overlapping run and the winger's low ball was perfect for Squire who had the simplest of tasks to fire home from six yards.
Bideford seemed full of confidence and just two minutes later Squire was involved again – with a more direct approach this time – but his looping header from Downing's cross was well saved.
Downing was causing all sorts of problems for the Town defence and he again whipped in a testing delivery which Matt Andrew could only divert wide.
The visitors were a far cry from the team which had only lost one in their last six as Elliot Sandy shinned a volley well wide and Dubi Ogbonna took the ball round Moore but saw his second touch bobble behind for a goal kick.
Despite Kettering dominating the lion's share of possession in the second period, they still had no clear-cut chances until the 71st minute, when Ogbonna turned substitute Nick Milton in the box and hit a low effort which was kept out by the legs of Moore.
Saul Williams did see a cross-cum-shot loop on to the top of the net but that was as good as it got for the Poppies as Bideford made the game safe with five minutes remaining.
It was a moment of class from man of the match Downing who looped a header over defender Brett Solkhon, took a touch into the box and coolly slotted past Craig Hill.
The scoreline could have had further gloss added to it in injury time when Matt Bye was played in by Sam Chaney – on loan from Torquay United – but his shot rippled the side netting.
Bideford (4-3-3): Kyle Moore; Ian Sampson (Nick Milton 58), Chris McGrath, Danny Harrison, Stephen Reed; Sean Downing, Matt Hockley (Richard Groves 50), Matt Bye (C); Matt Andrew, Kevin Squire (Sam Chaney 75), Nick Barker.
Subs not used: Jamie Chamberlain, Billy Tucker.
Kettering Town (4-4-2): Craig Hill; Saul Williams (Ben Baker 80), Brett Solkhon (C), Dom Langdom, James Brighton; William Grocott, Gary Mulligan, Elliot Sandy, Liam Canvan (Revus Richard-Noel 63); Dubi Ogbonna, Silvano Obeng (Jevani Brown 55).
Subs not used: Steve Kinniburgh, Danny Harban.