
Bideford produced an impressive performance on Saturday to beat another play-off chasing side in Slimbridge and record back to back wins for the first time in the league this season.
The Robins took the lead in the 8th minute as Archie Reay rose highest to head home at the back post directly from a huge throw-in from Ben Wood.
Wood himself had two great chances to increase the lead after Soloman Wanjau-Smith had fired over for Slimbridge. Wood robbed Dion Chambers 30 yards from goal and raced forward put pulled his shot wide of the right hand post. Just a minute later Wood got in on goal again through the middle but this time Lewis Adams made a great save to deny him.
In the 24th minute Slimbridge were fortunate to not be reduced to ten men as William Peck brought down Jack Rice who was clean through on goal. The referee produced only a yellow card as he felt there may have been a covering defender and the resulting free kick came to nothing.
Bideford deservedly doubled their lead right on half time as quick thinking by Alex Byrne from a free kick played in Turner to finish with ease while Slimbridge were daydreaming.
More chances came early in the second half as Rice forced a save from Adams before curling one just wide a minute later. Sean Downing then got in behind The Swan’s defence but Aaron Nesbeth was on hand to clear his cut right in front of goal.
Nesbeth then pulled one back for the visitors slotting low past Liam Kingston after a nice passing move. Slimbridge then put Bideford under some pressure for the next five minutes but were unable to create a clear cut chance.
The Robins were able to restore their two goal advantage thanks to a mistake from Adams. The Slimbridge keeper fumbled a Max Smallcombe free kick and Turner was in the right place to turn the ball in from a couple of yards out.
Adams’ day got even worse in injury time as he was caught on the ball by Turner following a back pass and the Bideford striker simply rolled the ball in to complete his hat trick.
Bideford: Kingston, Taylor, Down, Mayne, Byrne, Rice, Smallcombe, Reay (Heeney 70), Wood (Charles 76), Downing (Billingsley 88), Turner. Sub not used: Palmer.
Goals:
Bideford: Reay 8, Turner 44, 71, 90+3
Slimbridge: Nesbeth 65
Attendance: 237