BIDEFORD 1-2 FALMOUTH TOWN
Falmouth Town continued their meteoric rise up the Southern Premier League Division 1 South with their sixth consecutive victory in this hard-fought away victory against their historic rivals from Western League days past, Bideford AFC at The Sports Ground.
It was a scrappy first 5 minutes with neither side being able to retain the ball, but as the half progressed it was Bideford who took the upper hand. On the large playing surface, Bideford took the home advantage and pressed Falmouth relentlessly, winning the majority of the second balls and not allowing Falmouth’s talented wide-men Luke Barner and Olly Walker to have any meaningful possession. Archie Reay in the centre of their midfield looking especially effective.
However, the first big chance of the half fell to Falmouth’s Luke Barner on 22 minutes. Latching on to a through ball down the left, Barner drove towards the goal, albeit from out wide, and created a one on one with the Bideford Keeper, Mike Searle. With the angle somewhat against him he elected to pass to the fast-arriving Olly Walker at the far post but the Bideford defender got their first and it remained at 0-0.
Falmouth were restricted to playing on the break and further half-chances fell to Fred Walter and Olly Walker who both were unable to hit the target as the ball broke to them just outside the box.
Falmouth were absorbing increasing pressure, with the influential Billy Tucker, playing wide on the right for Bideford, launching a series of crosses into the Falmouth box, trying to find the head of big front man Scott Robinson, but they were were dealt with well by Falmouth’s Tom Annear, Harrison Jewell and goalkeeper Morgan Coxhead.
Somewhat deservedly, given the run of play, Bideford went one up just before the break on 45 minutes. A free kick was conceded on the right-hand touch-line half way into the Falmouth half. The ball was driven into the heart of the Falmouth box but this time it was missed by the defence and found Robinson’s head, and it was diverted past Coxhead to make it 1-0 to the home team.
Falmouth needed to increase their intensity all over the pitch in the second half if they were to turn things around, and it was evident from the first 5 minutes that this was their intention. All of a sudden they were first to the ball and Bideford started to struggle to contain them. The midfield trio of Andreas Calleja-Stayne, Jack Webber and Jared Sims were winning their duels and as a result, were bringing Barner and Walker into the game.
As a result, Falmouth got back into the game on the 67 minute mark. The ball was played behind the Bideford defence for Olly Walker to run on to. As he met the ball in the box, he was upended by a Bideford defender and, after some consideration, referee Aiden Madden, who had an excellent game, pointed to the penalty spot. The in-form Rubin Wilson stepped forward and powerfully placed the penalty to Searle’s right to make it 1-1 and it was all to play for!
The 2nd half continued with Falmouth just about being the better side, although Bideford still looked dangerous with their power and pace up-front. With 5 minutes to go it was looking like a draw may have been on the cards, but winning is becoming a habit for Falmouth and they continued to press forward. Substitute Luke Brabyn was released down the left and he hit a deep cross from the by-line which cleared everyone except Luke Barner wide on the right. Barner cut the ball back, and then ran on to the return before hitting a powerful curling shot right into the top left-hand corner of Searle’s goal from outside the area. A strike that was worthy of winning any match. Surely a contender for goal of the season!
The referee signalled 6 minutes of stoppage time and Bideford poured forward looking for the equaliser, but Falmouth, much more streetwise now as they gain experience in this league, saw the game out, much to the relief of the large, vocal travelling support, to claim a great win after an impressive 2nd half turn-around.
This sixth win since their demolition of Mousehole on Boxing Day pushes Falmouth to 11th in the table with games in hand on many of the teams above them. If they can continue this outstanding run of form, then the play-offs may be beckoning. A feat that looked well beyond them only a month ago. What an achievement from this selection of locally-based players with no experience at all of playing at this level. Whatever happens from now, the players and management must be applauded for the levels they have reached this season, some would say against the odds, given the departure of two of their recently most influential players over the last couple of months.
Falmouth look to continue their league campaign on Tuesday night when they entertain Malvern Town, who defeated runaway league leaders Yate Town 3-0 on Saturday. Another tough test awaits for Falmouth, and a win would put them 9th and 3 points off the play-offs if other results are favourable. Who would bet against this group of players achieving that given their recent form?
Goals:
BIDEFORD
Scott Robinson 45’
FALMOUTH TOWN
Rubin Wilson 67’
Luke Barner 87’
Man of the Match: Rubin Wilson
Att: 296
Bideford: Michael Searle, Samuel Wright, Alex Byrne, Alexander Moyse, Oliver Gardner, Louie Slough, Javan Wright, Archie Reay, Scott Robinson, William Tucker, Josh Webber. Subs: Liam Short, Ryan Turner, Jamie Hearsey, Owen Pickard.
Referee: Mr Aiden Madden