BIDEFORD 1 LARKHALL ATHLETIC 1

SQUIRE’S 100TH RESCUES POINT FOR BIDEFORD

Kevin Squire’s 100th goal for Bideford rescued them a point on Saturday at home to Larkhall Athletic. The Robins were trailing 1-0 with 12 minutes to go when Ross Beazer handled in the box to concede a penalty. Squire stepped up to send his kick down the middle and into the roof of the net via the trailing leg of Shaun Semmens.

It took Bideford a long time to get going as they huffed and puffed in the first period. Territorially Larkhall were on top but only had one effort on goal to show for it until the 26th minute when new signing Lewis Powell gave them the lead. Mason Winter played the ball low into the box from the right and Powell was able to get enough on it to wrong foot Steve Oliver and put the visitors ahead.

The closest Bideford came in the first period was when Ben Wood let fly from 25 yards only for Semmens to tip over at full stretch. Ryan Turner and Sam Haynes also headed over towards the end of a frustrating half for Bideford.

The Robins eventually stepped it up in the second half with Squire and the returning Billy Tucker being introduced. After George King shot wide following loud appeals for offside, Bideford began to take over. Squire glanced a header wide from a Matt Bye free kick before Beazer gave away the penalty that saw The Robins draw level.

It was then one way traffic as Bideford searched for a winner. Turner headed a Bye free kick into the path of Matt Ward who was denied by a good save from Semmens with Allan’s follow up being deflected wide. Then some lovely play from Tucker set up Turner from the left but his effort flew across the face of goal. Finally Tucker’s driven free kick in injury time was well saved low down by Semmens and Allan following up could only hit the outside of the post.

Bideford: Oliver, Sampson, Mayne, Allan, Gregory, Haynes (Tucker 46), Bye, Carter (Squire 47), Wood (Ward 67), Heeney, Turner. Subs not used: Western, Hancox.

Goals
Bideford: Squire 78p
Larkhall Athletic: Powell 26

Attendance: 258