Rampant Robins up to fourth in the table

Bideford AFC made it three wins in a row with a gritty 2-1 victory over Larkhall Athletic, a result that moved the Robins up to fourth in Division One South and just four points behind leaders Wimborne Town, with a game in hand.

Bideford grabbed the lead on ten minutes, when Finn Roberts delivered a terrific cross from the left and strong work from Archie Reay created room in the box for Aaron Taylor to rifle a fine strike into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

The lively Taylor then forced a decent stop from visiting custodian Arthur Nasta. Larkhall responded with a fizzing drive that flew inches over before Jordan Ewing forced more good work from Nasta.

The Robins found their momentum halted on the half-hour, when Larkhall equalised with a deep cross that was nodded back into the danger area for Alex Lambert to score from close range. 

A collision in the Larkhall defence almost gifted Jack Winsor a fortunate goal but the visitors did well to make the block. It was then back up the other end, and a top save from Adam Seedhouse Evans kept Biddy level.

The crucial second arrived for Bideford after the break, when Rob Farkins headed an Alex Byrne back across goal. Ewing kept the move alive with a nod over the advancing Nasta and Ryan Turner had the simple task of converting from two yards.

Larkhall rattled the crossbar with a decent effort but the general pattern remained in favour of the Robins, who almost settled matters with a Ewing overhead kick saved by Nasta. Larkhall spurned one more big chance to pinch a point and their frustrations boiled over into a late red card.

Bideford host Malvern Town on Saturday and travel to Tavistock on Boxing Day.

A goal from Brodie Montague earned Barnstaple Town a 1-1 draw with high-flying Brixham in the Toolstation Western League. This result was Barum’s sixth draw of the league campaign. Jack Magarotto, Blake Shapland and Dan Wilson were the Ilfracombe scorers in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Nailsea and Twickenham.

Barum and Ilfracombe will meet at Mill Road on Boxing Day.