Bideford have been reinstated, as expected, into the Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup following Tavistock’s expulsion for fielding an ineligible player in the 2nd round tie between the sides played on Wednesday 22nd October 2025.

The game at Langsford Park ended in a 1-1 draw with Tavistock winning the tie on a penalty shootout. Tavistock’s goal scorer on the night, Brad Williams had already played (and scored) in the previous round for Barnstaple Town. Williams also scored in the penalty shootout meaning he had a significant impact on the tie.

“I knew at 7:31 that we were through and I wish I could’ve ended the game at that point because this null and void game has cost us dearly. We lost a player to a dislocated shoulder, another to what turned out to be a fractured jaw from a reckless challenge, and also a suspension for a soft sending off.

I’d already rested five players and only made the two substitutions that I did due to injuries. I had two first choice strikers on the bench which I didn’t see the point in using in trying to win a game we’d effectively already won from the start. The game was nothing more than a training session to us, it felt like a pre-season game watching it as we knew the result on the night didn’t matter.” – Sean Joyce

The Robins will now host Cullompton Rangers at the Persimmon Homes Sports Ground in the quarter finals with the date to be confirmed.

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