SLIMBRIDGE 4 BIDEFORD 3
ROBINS PLAYOFF HOPES DENTED BY SWANS
Bideford’s playoff hopes suffered a blow on Saturday with a 4-3 defeat at struggling Slimbridge.
Slimbridge, who needed a win to be sure of survival from relegation, came out on top in a real rollercoaster encounter at Thornhill Park. It was perhaps a game too far for The Robins who were playing their fourth game in a week and must now win three games in just five days to guarantee a playoff spot.
Bideford took the lead on 15 minutes after Ben Seymour was fouled in the box and The Robins’ top scorer got up to put away the spot kick for his 23rd goal of the season. Slimbridge levelled just past the half hour mark as Sam Turl headed in at the back post from a Henry Birkett corner. The hosts got themselves in front early in the second half as Marley Thomas found the net after Steve Oliver had parried Dean Turner’s initial effort. Bideford equalised on the hour as Kevin Squire headed home from a corner for his 99th goal for the club.
Turner then headed Slimbridge back in front from a Jamie Martin cross and as Bideford pressed for another equaliser they were caught out on the break as Adam Mace squared for Birkett to finish. The Robins pulled one back almost instantly as Ben Wood's in-swinging corner went directly in thanks to an Adam Thomas mistake but Bideford were unable to find a late leveller and were left to rue a real missed opportunity in the playoff race.
Bideford: Oliver, Hancox (Turner 59), Allan, Mayne, Wood, Sampson, Bye (Reed 46), Western, Downing, Squire, Seymour. Subs: Reed, Turner, Harrison.
Goals
Slimbridge: Turl 32, M Thomas 48, Turner 72, Birkett 80
Bideford: Seymour 15p, Squire 60, Wood 81
Attendance: 98
Thank you to Steve Wing for the photography
Key moments
Videos and photos
Highlights
As it happened
- Slimbridge
- Bideford
- 0
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Ben Seymour Scored Penalty 15:00'
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Turl Goal 32:00'
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M Thomas Goal 48:00'
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Kevin Squire Goal 60:00'
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Turner Goal 72:00'
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Birkett Goal 80:00'
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Ben Wood Goal 81:00'
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Team selection
- Slimbridge
- Bideford
Oliver, Steve
Hancox, Will
Allan, Craig
Downing, Sean
Mayne, James
Wood, Ben
Sampson , Ian
Western, Dan
Squire, Kevin
Seymour, Ben
Bye, Matt
League round up
Other West results
Standings
| # | Team | Pl | Pts |
| 6. | Didcot Town | 42 | 73 |
| 7. | Cirencester Town | 42 | 73 |
| 8. | Bideford | 42 | 72 |
| 9. | Bristol Manor Farm | 42 | 69 |
| 10. | AFC Totton | 42 | 66 |
| 11. | Winchester City | 42 | 61 |
| 12. | Kidlington | 42 | 57 |
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