[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bristol Manor Farm’s consecutive run of draws came to an end on Tuesday evening following a narrow defeat away to Bideford, writes Jack Davies.
Prior to Tuesday’s match, returning captain Jake Gosling managed just 70 minutes last weekend at Exmouth but was forced to be substituted due to sustaining a nasty ankle injury following a late challenge. Lloyd Mills, who has done an excellent standing-in job, was given the armband once again as the Portwaymen made the 200-mile roundtrip to the Sports Ground.
The Robins had the match’s first opportunity in 8 minutes when forward Javan Wright won a free-kick wide left. A melee of red shirts attacked the ball, and following two wasted attempts, Farm were able to break on Seehouse-Evans’ goal. The youngster showed extreme pace when he skipped past three, but fell short at the final hurdle when Bideford eventually recovered.
Nielsen did extremely well to avoid two lunging challenges, and the aforementioned Grub had Manor Farm’s first attempt in 25 minutes. Grubb allowed the ball to come across his body, but his strike bobbled its way towards goal only for Seedhouse-Evans to gather.
Mills found space high up the pitch and played a lovely searching pass into the feet of Grubb, and his chipped effort went narrowly wide of the back post.
If you asked those in attendance, ‘Who looked like scoring most?’ Undoubtedly the answer would be the Portwaymen who had three more clear-cut chances at the home goal. After George Fowler’s strike was pushed behind, Owen Howe headed over the Robins’ crossbar. Nielsen decided to cross low and hard, but Mills couldn’t get enough power on his near post effort. However much like this season, luck wasn’t to be on Farm’s side as Ryan Turner finished past John after a clever pass by his captain Aaron Taylor – albeit against the run of play.
Farm probed for parity early into the second half, but Bideford still carried a threat on the break. Winsor fired a shot just over for the hosts and Farm defender Steve Kingdon slid in to stop a certain tap-in at the back post following a low cross from Turner.
Jayden Nielsen came closest in normal time to find an equaliser, firing narrowly over following a clever set free kick.
Farm were forced to substitute two of their centre-backs late on and the only one who stayed on the pitch had the game’s final chance. Mills sliced his effort wide after a clever cross from young substitute Will Gallagher.
STAR MAN – Harry Lucas.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]