Turner treble takes Bideford through in the FA Cup

Bideford AFC marched into the next round of the FA Cup with a dominant 4-0 victory at home to Helston Atheltic.

Ryan Turner notched a marvellous hat-trick against his former club, as the Robins overcame injury and unavailability to sweep past a dangerous Cornish outfit, who arrived at the Sports Ground as early leaders of the Toolstation Western League.

The extent of Bideford’s selection problems was demonstrated by manager Sean Joyce only being able to name two substitutes and Helston, unbeaten in their previous 26 games, must have fancied their chances after navigating a tight opening ten minutes.

The Robins, however, gave a signal of what was to come when Turner forced a decent save from Helston custodian Kyle Moore. Unfortunately for the former Robins’ goalkeeper, he was punished for loose handling from a Craig Duff strike, as Turner pounced for the opening goal.

Moore made immediate amends with two excellent saves to deny Duff and Helston responded to waves of pressure with a break that saw home custodian Adam Seedhouse Evans allow the ball to slip from his grasp but Rikki Shepherd spurned the chance for the visitors.

Seedhouse Evans then produced a superb point-blank block to preserve the lead and an entertaining half came to a close when Duff released Javan Wright for a strike well parried by the busy Moore.

The game was still very much in the balance until the hour, when a long punt from Seedhouse Evans caught the Helston defence in snooze mode and Turner raced clear to slot past an exposed Moore.

Curtis Damerell and Rubin Wilson both went close for the luckless visitors, who knew the game was up when Turner completed his hat-trick six minutes from time, nodding home from an Alex Byrne corner.

The fine win was given some extra gloss in stoppage time, Finn Roberts rifling a low effort beyond Moore to make it 4-0 in front of a healthy crowd of 223 at the Sports Ground.

FA Cup progress is always great for confidence, and finances, and Bideford can feel pretty satisfied with their start to the season. Two wins in the Cup and two solid draws in the Southern League, the latest of which was a 1-1 at home to Bristol Manor Farm last Tuesday, when Turner was again on target.

Bideford host Westbury United this weekend and will be desperate for a win against a side sitting in the bottom four in the early stages. Mousehole and Willand lead the way after two games.