It was unlucky 13 for the Swans at the weekend as Bideford became the first team to pick up an away win in the 13 encounters between the sides dating back to 2017. 

Two goals in the first half hour saw the visitors take a two goal lead, which was reduced before the half when Marley Thomas’ penalty reduced the deficit, but a second penalty for Bideford restored the two goal lead. A late score by Will Hawes was too late to salvage anything for the Swans, who also saw Myron Turner see red for two yellow cards on a very frustrating afternoon for the hosts. 

Slimbridge made the better start, and hit the bar with just eight minutes on the clock, when Edji Mbunga’s header from Thomas’ cross went the wrong side of the woodwork.

It only took 13 minutes for the first yellow card to be shown by Referee Adam Gregory, who had a busy afternoon, with the card count eventually reaching 11. 

As Slimbridge pressed, Ben Hands was off target and Mbunga had an effort saved by Biddy Keeper Adam Seedhouse-Evans, but the home side were unable to take advantage of their superiority. 

The vistors took the lead on 20 minutes, when a mix up at the back saw Ben Prictor steer the ball past Lewis Adams to put Biddy ahead. Eight minutes later, they doubled the lead when Joseph Charles’ run played in Lewis Brooks, who made no mistake to increase the lead. 

Slimbridge got a goal back five minutes later, when Hands was fouled in the box trying to chase down Ethan Dunbar’s cross, ad Thomas converted to reduce the lead. 

With all the bookings that took place, Tyler Yendle was very lucky to escape with just a telling off, when he followed through on Adams, leaving the Swans’ Keeper requiring treatment as the first half came to a close. 

Bideford had the best early efforts of the second period, with Brooks heading wide, and Ryan Turner going too high with his effort, but the task for the Swans became even more difficult when Myron Turner saw red for a very dubious second yellow card with to leave the Swans playing with ten men for the last 20 minutes. 

Biddy took full advantage, and Jacob Geddes was penalised five minutes later for a foul on Jayan Wright, and Craig Duff-Dick stepped up to restore Biddy’s two goal advantage from the penalty spot. 

As the bookings continued for both sides, Slimbridge pulled another goal back when Will Hawes converted with a header from a corner, with six minutes left on the clock, but it was too little, too late. 

Manager Tom Speers couldn’t hide his frustration at the final whistle – ‘We could…and should have been 2 or 3 up after 25 minutes, but if you defend like that and give away goals like that, it’s so hard to get back in the game. It’s frustrating, because we're our worst enemy. There were mistakes at both ends. It’s hard to stomach, because you start well, and  then give two goals away, so you’re always fighting. They deserved the win in the end though, no doubt.’

Slimbridge are on the road this Saturday when they visit Frome Town (3.00pm) before returning to Thornhill Park on Wednesday on Wednesday 23^rd November (7.45pm) when Cinderford Town are the visitors.

Team: Adams, Shutt, Prictor (Sunley 73), Turner, Dennis, Geddes, Mbunga (Hawes 80), Hands (McKinnon 64), Dunbar, Francis, Thomas

Goalscorers: Thomas (Penalty) 33, Hawes 84