This week is pivotal for Bristol Manor Farm as they face two crucial home matches against Bideford and Frome, both vying for promotion and currently positioned within the top 4. Jack Davies returns to provide the low down on the matches…
Farm have had an excellent festive season and are unbeaten in four. Back-to-back wins over the Christmas week was sandwiched between a pair of draws, including the recent point at Yate Town which was very nearly all three. Daniel Dodimead’s last minute goal at Lodge Road was harshly chalked out, and the forward came close to adding to his three festive goals. Defensively, centre back pairing Ollie Woodhouse and Harry Lucas have been excellent all season, and have contributed immensely to the Farm’s recent success. Firmly positioned in 7th, Farm will know positive results against teams around them could see them as serious contenders.
Bideford have been a bit of a bogey side form Farm in recent seasons and despite a few relegation battles of late, they find themselves third this season, just four points off the leaders with a game in hand and are currently on a 5-game winning streak. They don’t score as many goals as a lot of the fellow chasers, but they boast a mean defence, largely thanks to old adversary Adam Seedhouse-Evans, who rarely has anything less than a stormer in goal for Bideford.
Frome and Farm have had several excellent matches in the last few years, including the famous play off semi-final just a couple of seasons ago. This year, Frome find themselves just a place below the first opponents Bideford in fourth and are well placed for another run at the title. Another side with a strong defensive record, Frome also boast a goalscoring master. Jon Davies, who has made well over 250 appearances for Frome, celebrated his 100th goal for the club over Christmas.