BIDEFORD 3 MANGOTSFIELD UNITED 0

Bideford’s unbeaten run was increased to six games on Saturday after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mangotsfield United.

On an afternoon featuring all kinds of weather conditions The Robins took all three points on a difficult Sports Ground pitch thanks to goals from Ryan Turner, Archie Reay and Joseph Charles.

The visitors had the first attempt as Robert Belcher fired a shot well off target while Alex Byrne’s free kick for Bideford flew harmlessly over the crossbar at the other end. Turner then drove a low shot across goal minutes before giving the home side the lead. Ben Wood’s corner was headed down by Toby Down and Turner was on hand to touch home from close range.

Turner almost got a second in the 25th minute as he controlled the ball well in the box but his shot on the turn went the wrong side of the post and into the side netting.

In response, George Neill had two opportunities to level things for Mangotsfield but was unable to take either of them. Neill was played in by Daniel McBeam but flashed his shot wide with the goal at his mercy. Neill was then presented with another great chance after being played through on goal by Harry Simons but Kingston raced out to make a really good save.

Bideford doubled their lead five minutes before half time as Ben Carter’s free kick into the box was met by the head of Down and Turner’s touch enabled Reay to bundle the ball into the net from a few yards out.

After a slow start to the second half Kingston again had to be alert to keep out the visitors on the hour making a good save with his legs to deny Harry Milton. Bideford then found another gear and really started to take control in the final 30 minutes. Charles made a great run down the right but his cross was a touch too high for Turner who headed over at full stretch.

The Robins made the game safe in the 66th minute with a really well worked goal. Charlie Lawrence combined well with Turner and Reay before racing to the by-line and crossing for Charles to bury a header past Jakob Glover at the back post.

Charles almost got another a minute later with a cracking effort with the outside of his right foot but Glover made a top save to keep him out. Lawrence then curled a shot just wide of the top right corner after being teed up by Charles and the same man was thwarted by Glover after a cutting in onto his right foot following a tormenting run down the left.

Bideford then came very close to a fourth with five minutes remaining. A lovely reverse pass from Jack Rice found Max Smallcombe who cut the ball back for Theo Simpson to hit the base of the post and then hit the same spot of the upright again with the rebound!

Bideford: Kingston, Taylor, Down, Mayne, Byrne, Lawrence, Carter, Reay (Smallcombe 76), Wood (Charles 57), Rice, Turner (Simpson 68). Subs not used: Downing, Heeney.

Goals: Turner 15, Reay 40, Charles 66

Attendance: 176