Bideford Match Report

[oddballs]

A chilly evening in North Devon at Bideford saw an entertaining hard-fought game in front of the biggest gate of the season at the Sports Ground - probably the best ground in this division.

After 4 minutes Marcus Martin forced his way down the right and his cross-shot was well saved by Griffiths in the home goal. A few minutes later Martin had a speculative long-range shot which sailed over the bar.

The game was very tight with defences being on top as both teams probed to find a breakthrough.

On 26 minutes a through ball found Tolley but he screwed his shot wide.

3 minutes later. Bideford worked the ball down the left wing but a long cross from the bye-line sailed over everybody in the area to safety.

On 32 minutes Joe Broad went down the right and passed inside to Martin who shot wide on the turn. 5 minutes later a through ball down the middle found Scott Walker but Moseley got in a good tackle before he could shoot.

A minute later Bideford sent a lon ball to the left-hand side of the City area which was headed goalward by Kain Bond but it struck Graeme Power's hand and the referee gave what seemed a harsh penalty. The spot kick was well hit by Kain Bond(Borrowed from Falmouth Town) but Jason Chapman made an excellent save diving to his left.

On 40 minutes a poor back pass from Power resulted in a corner. From the resulting kick Bideford headed just wide.

City started the second-half strongly and Vercesi sent the ball out to Tolley on the left who centred for Walker to head narrowly wide. In the 48th minute Broad found Gosling on the right whose centre was aimed at Yetton but a defender just got there to divert the ball for a corner.

On 54 minutes Broad put through a great ball to Yetton in space but his strong shot was well saved by Griffiths. 4 minutes alter the ball broke free for Tolley whose snap-shot was again well saved by the home goalie.

On 60 minutes Tolley was brought down in the area as he tried to turn but after some hesitation the referee waved play on.

On 67 minutes Bideford had a good attack with Ellis Laight running through down the left-hand side and his cross-shot went narrowly past the far post.

Reski replaced Gosling on 70 minutes and Mark Bettis came on for Kain Bond for Bideford at the same time.

4 minutes later Bideford took the lead. A long through ball from Bettis broke to Bobby Gough who took it down the left and his strong shot found the far corner of Chapman's net. Broad was booked for kicking the ball away.

City pressed for an equaliser and on 78 minutes martin again had a strong shot saved by Griffiths.

3 minutes later Yetton was upended just outside the area and Ash took one of his charcateristic free-kicks but this time it just cleared the bar.

On 83 minutes Martin tried to cente from the right but his effort was deflected for a corner. Scott Walker took the kick which was powerfully headed home by Martin giving the keeper no chance.

Downing came on for Gough and a couple of minutes later Churchill replaced Laight.

In the last minute Bideford attacked down the left and the resulting ventre was headed behind to clear the last danger.

Final Score Bideford 1(0) Truro City 1(0)

Teams:

Bideford: Kenny Griffiths, Reece Moseley, Nick Barker, Ashley Pook, Darren Hawkins, Tom Stucco, Clay Bond, Ian Down, Bobby Gough, Kain Bond, Ellis Laight(Capt). Subs: Mark Bettis(for Kain Bond 70) Sam Churchill(for Laight 89) Matt Downing(for Gough 87)

Truro City: Jason Chapman, Jake Ash(Capt), Graeme Power, Danny Harris, Marcus Martin, Joe Broad, Mark Vercesi, Ian Gosling, Stuart Yetton, Shane Tolley, Scott Walker, Subs: Chris Reski(for Gosling 70), Tom Chambers, Glynn Hooper

Attendance: 416(Although announced at the game as 396)

[Guest Peppermint]

I presume Mark Bettis is also the one and the same as the Falmouth Town player in addition to Kain Bond. Must be some arrangement between Bideford and Falmouth managers!

[Mike Odgers]

Mark Bettis is the brother of Falmouth's Neil Bettis and Mark recently played at Bickland for Holsworthy against his brother Neil.

Yes Peppermint there seems to be a gentlemans agreement between Falmouth and Bideford as in a SWP league game at St. Blazey, Falmouth "borrowed" Clay Bond from Bideford(brother of Kain).

[Guest Peppermint]

Thanks for that Mike - the Bettis who plays for Falmouth Town is a Minor Counties cricketer for Devon I believe.

[Mike Odgers]

You are correct Graham,he plays for North Devon CC (Barnstaple) and Devon in the Minor Counties (Left Hand Bat) and would consider his second sport as football.

[Richard Rundle]

You are correct Graham,he plays for North Devon CC (Barnstaple) and Devon in the Minor Counties (Left Hand Bat) and would consider his second sport as football.

North Devon CC play in Instow (home of the Shepherd family) - halfway between Bideford and Barnstaple. They were the Devon League champions this past summer, straight after coming up from the A Division.

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Richard

[Guest Peppermint]

Yes Richard I have had the pleasure of playing on the ground which is next to the sea and has a picturesque thatched pavilion.