BIDEFORD 2 WINCHESTER CITY 0

ROBINS SIGN OFF WITH A WIN

Bideford ended their league campaign for 2017/18 with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Winchester City at the Sports Ground.

A goal in each half from Craig Allan and Sean Downing saw off the Hampshire side but results elsewhere meant Bideford would finish just one point outside of the playoffs in 8th position. It was a tremendous effort from The Robins to stay in contention after 17 postponed games this season meant a huge backlog of fixtures in March and April.

Will Hancox had the first effort on goal inside two minutes cutting inside onto his left foot from the right flank only to see his shot deflected wide. Ben Wood flashed a shot beyond the right hand post after 15 minutes before Winchester threatened for the first time a minute later, Steve Oliver saving comfortably from Dan Williamson.

Ryan Price was forced to save a powerful Ben Seymour strike on the half hour before Bideford took the lead seven minutes later. Matt Bye’s corner was met by Allan who headed over price with two defenders on the line unable to keep the ball from crossing the line. The lead was kept intact by an excellent point blank save by Oliver who denied Oli Bailey right on half time.

Six minutes after the restart it was 2-0 as Ryan Turner sent Downing charging through the middle. Downing did well to hold off the challenge of two defenders, keep his balance and poke the ball beyond Price into the net. Downing was close to a second with ten minutes left but his stinging shot was well parried over by Price after good interplay with Kevin Squire. Oliver then made a good save with his legs at the other end to deny Jamie Barron late on but it was Bideford’s day on a sunny afternoon at the Sports Ground.

Bideford: Oliver, Hancox (Palmer 87), Allan, Mayne, Wood, Sampson, Bye, Carter (Western 70), Downing, Turner, Seymour (Squire 78). Subs: Squire, Western, Harrison, Palmer, Key.

Goals: Allan 37, Downing 51

Attendance: 256