Resilient Robins battle through and victory for Barum

After a challenging start to the new season, the last thing Bideford AFC needed in their FA Trophy meeting with Malvern Town was an injury to debutant goalkeeper Lloyd Marshall.

Covering for the absent Mike Searle, Marshall was forced off on just 36 minutes, and with no goalkeeper on the bench, Bideford turned to outfield player Finn Roberts for almost an hour.

Remarkably, he kept a clean sheet, and the Robins progressed with a 2-0 victory on a bizarre day at the Sports Ground.

Bideford had suffered three straight defeats prior to the game, including a disappointing FA Cup exit against Melksham, prompting manager Sean Joyce to make a string of changes in freshening up his team.

In the early stages, it was a case of two teams cancelling each other out, and the first piece of drama was the injury to Marshall, with Roberts soon making a decent save in his first act as emergency glovesman.

Bideford responded with lovely play in midfield creating room for Cieran Bridger to drive forward, shifting the ball to Scott Robinson in a neat combination by the former Buckland and Brixham duo, but a Malvern defender recovered in time to make a goal-saving challenge.

A deflected effort drifting wide of the Bideford post was the final act of a relatively tame first period but that all changed within just four minutes of the restart, when a deep free-kick from Josh Ewing prompted panic in the visiting defence, Jordan Ewing forcing a terrific initial save from the Malvern ‘keeper before pouncing on the rebound to score.

The lively Levi Francis kept the Robins honest at the back, forcing Roberts into another steady save, this time with his feet, but the Bideford defence was generally doing a fine job of protecting their makeshift custodian.

Alex Moyse fired narrowly over at the other end and, as the game became more open, Bideford exposed the gaps to score a crucial second, Ryan Turner tapping into an empty net after unselfish play from Robinson.

Ewing found the net for what appeared to be a third goal after fine approach play from Robinson and Webber, but the offside flag intervened. No matter, Bideford are through and will play away to Yate Town in the next round on September 21.

In the Western League, goals from Scott Piper, Tommy Rogers, Euan Washbrook and Brodie Montague gave Barnstaple Town an impressive 4-0 victory over Brislington.

Piper started the fun with a fine strike into the bottom corner and Rogers soon doubled the advantage from the penalty spot. Barum were cruising when Washbrook added a third before half time and the late fourth from man of the match Montague was thoroughly deserved.

Goalkeeper Dom Aplin was the hero for Ilfracombe Town, producing some fabulous saves to ensure the Bluebirds earned a point at home to Shepton Mallett, with Jamie Hearsey grabbing the late equaliser.