Bideford
2
Tucker (1), Groves (pen 42)
Slough Town
0
League
Attendance: 171
Adam Martin
Slough suffered defeat in North Devon as hosts Bideford scored twice in the first half, the first coming after just 13 seconds.
The Rebels have made a habit of scoring in the first minute of matches this season, but this time were on the receiving end, with Billy Tucker beating Luke Williams after capitalising on a mistake from Reece Yorke and running at the heart of the defence.
Slough were close to getting back on level terms, but Ed Smith's attempted chip rebounded back off a post after a strong run into the box off the wing.
Johnnie Dyer put a good chance just over the bar from six yards, whilst Bideford's captain Richard Groves shot wide after finding space in the box.
Scott Harris had the ball in the back of Steve Oliver's net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Both sides struggled with high winds, and despite having plenty of possession and pressure around the Bideford penalty area, the Rebels lacked a cutting edge, and were punished on the stroke of half-time.
Billy Jeffreys, who had replaced the injured Guy Hollis a little earlier, conceded a penalty as referee Mark Russell rather harshly adjudged him to have deliberately handled a shot from close range. Jeffreys, celebrating his birthday, was also booked for the incident. Groves stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past Williams, who guessed the right way but could not get a hand to the ball.
In the second half, Dyer's header forced Oliver into a save, and Smith was frustrated again as he broke clear of the last man but fired straight at the Bideford keeper.
Slough remained in control and Yorke produced another good save from Oliver before Slough were denied another goal by the linesman's flag after Scott Harris' initial shot was saved and the rebound was put in by Smith.
However, Slough were restricted to few clear chances and left The Sports Ground empty-handed.
The Rebels have made a habit of scoring in the first minute of matches this season, but this time were on the receiving end, with Billy Tucker beating Luke Williams after capitalising on a mistake from Reece Yorke and running at the heart of the defence.
Slough were close to getting back on level terms, but Ed Smith's attempted chip rebounded back off a post after a strong run into the box off the wing.
Johnnie Dyer put a good chance just over the bar from six yards, whilst Bideford's captain Richard Groves shot wide after finding space in the box.
Scott Harris had the ball in the back of Steve Oliver's net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Both sides struggled with high winds, and despite having plenty of possession and pressure around the Bideford penalty area, the Rebels lacked a cutting edge, and were punished on the stroke of half-time.
Billy Jeffreys, who had replaced the injured Guy Hollis a little earlier, conceded a penalty as referee Mark Russell rather harshly adjudged him to have deliberately handled a shot from close range. Jeffreys, celebrating his birthday, was also booked for the incident. Groves stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past Williams, who guessed the right way but could not get a hand to the ball.
In the second half, Dyer's header forced Oliver into a save, and Smith was frustrated again as he broke clear of the last man but fired straight at the Bideford keeper.
Slough remained in control and Yorke produced another good save from Oliver before Slough were denied another goal by the linesman's flag after Scott Harris' initial shot was saved and the rebound was put in by Smith.
However, Slough were restricted to few clear chances and left The Sports Ground empty-handed.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Luke Williams
- 2 Sean Fraser
- 3 Ryan Parsons
- 4 Guy Hollis 12
- 5 Reece Yorke
- 6 Ben Edwards
- 7 Johnnie Dyer 14
- 8 Adam Martin
- 9 Scott Harris
- 10 Edward Smith
- 11 Tom Moran 15
Substitutes
- 12 Billy Jeffreys 4
- 14 Jake Parsons 7
- 15 James Dobson 11
- 16 George Short
- 17 Trent Phillips
Bideford Lineup
Steve Oliver, Ian Sampson, Nick Barker, Craig Veal, Dan Harrison, Matt Villis, Richard Groves (c), Micky Purcell, Kevin Squire, Billy Tucker, Ben Wood. Subs: Danny Tapp, Danny Wring, Stephen Reed, Nick Milton, George Swain.