Robins rounding off year as team in form

Bideford AFC held off a second-half Shaftesbury fightback to record their third consecutive win in the Southern League and open up a healthy cushion above the Division One South relegation zone.

On a day of milestones at the Sports Ground, Billy Tucker celebrated his 200th appearance for the club with a delicious fizzing cross for Alex Byrne to head home the opening goal on just seven minutes.

As well as Tucker’s achievement, Byrne was marking his 150th outing for the Robins and a special moment to score his first goal since 2020.

Bideford were ripping through their beleaguered visitors, Josh Webber clipping an effort narrowly wide after a lovely team move before Jordan Ewing had a low drive well saved by Shaftesbury ‘keeper Shane Murphy.

The visiting custodian was a busy man in the first half, producing another top save to deny Alex Moyse, but there was nothing he could do on 33 minutes, when Tucker and Byrne again combined, with the latter’s drive bouncing down off the crossbar for Ewing to finish off the loose ball.

After such a dominant first half, Bideford got the reward of a decisive third just seconds after the restart, Ewing feeding a pass to Scott Robinson for an accomplished low finish.

The Robins were seemingly in cruise control when a swift two-goal burst from the visitors changed the whole mood, Brett Pitman twice finding the net to set up a tense final 25 minutes.

A superb goal-line clearance from Louie Slough prevented an unlikely leveller and the Robins regained their composure to see out a deserved victory.

This weekend takes Bideford to Didcot Town before the traditional Devon derby on Boxing Day, Willand Rovers making the journey north.

In the Jewson Western League, Barnstaple Town missed the chance to move top after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Paulton Rovers.

Leaders Brixham were losing at AFC Stoneham in the FA Vase, opening the door for Barum to climb to the summit but that was promptly closed by Paulton grabbing the lead on ten minutes, Kye Simpson pouncing on a rare slip from Barnstaple ‘keeper Jim Weeks.

Barum regrouped and enjoyed long spells of possession without seriously troubling the visitors, but they were given a numerical boost when Paulton’s Josh Ford was shown a straight red card five minutes before half-time.

Barnstaple eventually drew level with an own goal, only to swiftly concede again and they ultimately needed a late equaliser from Callum Deemer to deny a brave ten-man display from Paulton.

It was also a disappointing day for Ilfracombe Town, who slumped to a 4-1 loss at St Blazey. The Bluebirds host Barnstaple for a Boxing Day showdown at Marlborough Park.