Bristol Manor Farm’s five match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday afternoon as 10-man Bideford snatch all three points late on, writes Jack Davies.
Both sides were on fine runs, no more than Bideford who had five wins in a row coming into this one. It would be Farm who would strike first as the game’s opening goal arrived after 10 minutes. Owen Brain with some superb close control before he buried a finish into the far corner. Farm welcomed Ben Bament back to the club after news of striker Dan Dodimead’s illness and he came close to doubling the lead minutes after. Brain turned provider as he flicked for Bament, whose low effort was saved. A pair of dead balls turned the first half on its head for the visitors. Matt Buchan levelled the game from the spot after a soft penalty decision before Finn Roberts expertly placed a free kick into the corner for 2-1.
Farm needed a response after the break and found the perfect one just two minutes in. Owen Brain with more excellent dribbling before he sent another low finish home for his brace and the games equaliser. Farm would be given a boost in their hopes of a big three points once Bideford were reduced to 10 on the hour. Buchan shown a straight red card and the goal scorer was off for an early bath. Farm performed heroics with 10 men of their own in the pre-Christmas win at Larkhall but have had a pretty rotten record against 10 in recent years, and that was hampered further as the visitors grabbed all three points against the run of play. The ball fell in the box for Bideford’s Josh Webber, who found the finish to send his high-flying side back to Devon with a win.