BIDEFORD 4 FROME TOWN 0
Bideford made it 3 wins from 5 games and move up to 16th place with a four goal triumph over the Robins from Frome.
Report by the North Devon Journal
AMONG encouraging performances from new signings Danny Wring, Craig Veal and Matt Villis, it was a familiar face who stole the show in Bideford’s 4-0 win against Frome Town. Sean Downing scored a crucial double late in the match as Bideford defended a two-goal cushion.
With the away side pressing hard, Downing dispossessed full back Josh Ford and slotted home on 80 minutes. If Frome weren’t put to bed already, six minutes later Downing tucked away a tidy finish from 18 yards to ensure the Bideford fans had a restful night’s sleep, having seen their side go above their opposition to 16th in the Southern League Premier Division.
“Sean was forced to defend for a lot of the game and had to double up with (Nick) Barker against their winger,” said Joyce (the Bideford manager). “He was patient, kept possession at the right times and bided his time before getting forward. He deserved the two goals and took them very well, the first using his pace and the second showing great composure.”
Bideford started the game as they closed it, firing home the opening goal within three minutes of kick-off. A free kick was cleared only as far as Wring who lobbed the ball back into the box for Matt Wright to nod down and Veal stroked it home from six yards.
Wright was an ever-present danger and he flicked a header wide from another free kick, while the Frome keeper was forced into a good save as he twisted and turned in the box 24 minutes in.
An injury to Chris McGrath, which could leave him sidelined for two to three weeks, meant a shuffle of the pack as Dan Harrison replaced the centre back after 27 minutes. The captain’s armband was passed to Richard Groves and the midfielder got forward to make it 2-0 after Veal’s effort was parried by the keeper.
Frome continued to look dangerous from wide outlet Kris Miller but left back Barker, back in the starting XI following a three-game absence, defended gallantly alongside winger Downing. As the Bideford defence sat deeper, there were thoughts more goals might be added to the tally of five they have conceded in the last 15 minutes of games.
But as Ben Wood capitalised on a mistake and nearly drove home the third, it was clear one clinical finish could end the game. Along came Downing, flying up the pitch to claim the ball off the unsuspecting full back and sweep home. He wasn’t finished there and, on 86 minutes, Squire launched a cross-field ball to Downing who, with one delicate touch, lashed in from the edge of the box.
“It was a strong performance all round against a difficult team,” said Joyce. “Frome are tricky going forward and have pace to burn but we defended really well.”
Bideford (4-4-2): Lloyd Irish, Ian Sampson, Chris McGrath (Dan Harrison 27), Matt Villis, Nick Barker, Sean Downing, Richard Groves, Danny Wring (Nick Milton 76), Ben Wood (Kevin Squire 80), Craig Veal, Matt Wright. Subs not used: Stephen Reed, Nick Milton.
Yellow cards: Wring, Downing, Groves.
Goals: Veal 3; Groves 30; Downing 80,86.
Frome Town (4-1-3-2): Darren Chitty, Josh Ford, Mark Cooper, Rhys Baggridge, Aaron Oakley, Jon Vance; Kris Miller, Matt Smith (Brandon Mundy), Mark Francis (Tom Gollidge 63), Ben Thompson (Jack Twyford 84), Dylan Bonella. Sub not used: Johnny Lynn.
Yellow cards: Cooper, Vance.