An understrength Bideford team beat high flying Torrington this afternoon in one of the hardest fought matches the Sports Ground has seen in a long time. Shorn of many first team players including Cann, Heeney, Adams, the now departed Wayne Parkhouse and new signing Richard Davey due to registration issues, Bideford manager Neil Hole was forced to name himself among the 3 substitutes. In the absence of Mark Cann, John Jeffries was named captain.

Torrington were determined to continue the rich vein of form that has seen them climb to second in the league but were outplayed by a tenacious Bideford team. They took a deserved lead midway through the first half when Matt Bryce fired a long through ball to Danny Slee who confidently fired past the goalkeeper. Bideford came out for the second half and soaked up all of the Torrington pressurre and were looking like they could nick a second when a controversial straight red card for Sam Schiller saw them reduced to 10 men. This did not daunt them and within 10 minutes were 2-0 up when Chris Smailes ran onto a speculative through ball and fired a thunderbolt past the bemused Torrington goalkeeper. Substitute Ian Keen, having come on for the injured Adam Halling, shaved the outside of the post with 10 minutes left.

With just a few minutes left Torrington were awarded a penalty, perhaps more for the constant shouts for fouls, handballs and bookings from their players. Ali Bright got close to the ball but was unable to stop it hitting the back of the net.

Despite an inordinate amount of added time Bideford held out for the three points. The performance witnessed by the 60 or so supporters that braved the elements was a credit to the game. The only sour note from those attending the game was the lack of facilities, with neither the burger van or the clubhouse being open.

Man of the match: Danny Slee - scored a fantastic goal and was all over the park, turning up in defence when needed and then setting up attacks to threaten the opposition goal. He seems to have a new lease of life since the departure of Wayne Parkhouse, having always seemed to be in the shadows as a support player before.

TEAM:

1. Ali Bright

3. Sam Paddon

4. Oli Cole

5. Rob Ousley

6. Sam Schiller

8. Adam Halling

9. Matt Bryce

10. Danny Slee

11. Chris Smailes

15. Jack Langford

17. John Jeffries (capt.)

SUBS:

12. Ian Keen (for Adam Halling)

NOT USED

Neil Hole

Stuart French