Robins end season on a high

Bideford secure top-half finish in their return to the Southern League

BIDEFORD have finished the season just nine points outside the playoffs on their return to the Southern League after a 35-year absence.

The Robins ended on a high, taking 21 points from their last 10 games and were only denied a ninth-place finish ahead of Taunton Town due to a 93rd minute equaliser in Monday afternoon’s final game at Clevedon Town.

Bideford went 1-0 down though Reeko Best’s lobbed effort three minutes before half-time in the Easter sunshine at Davis Lane.

Matt Hockley hammered home an immediate reply and Kevin Squire put the visitors 2-1 up 20 minutes after the break.

But with the seconds ticking on what has been a competent – although inconsistent – Zamaretto League season, Chas Hemmings scored from the penalty spot to earn the second-from-bottom side a point.

On Saturday, second-half goals by Kevin Squire and Jack Furzer gave Bideford a 2-0 win over Gosport Borough at the Sports Ground.