After the madness that is an organised groundhop (and I mean that in a nice way) it was a semblance of normality today with just the one game! As I was down in the South West, it would've been incredibly rude not to stop off in North Devon en-route home for an eagerly anticipated "derby" game.
The Sports Ground played host to a top of the table clash as league leaders Bideford clashed with third placed Ilfracombe in what was easily the Western League's game of the day. Adding more spice to the fixture was the fact that the Ifracombe had eight ex Bideford players on their books.
It turned out to be a very tasty derby, especially the first half. The football was not the greatest but you could not take your eye of the game as it was incident packed to say the least. Former Robins player Shaun Lewis gave Ilfracombe the lead after 5 minutes, when he went clear through to slot home.
There was controversy in the in 35th minute when Bluebirds defender Karl Baggaley was alleged to have stamped on Matt Hockley, off the ball in the penalty area. It appeared that the only person in the ground who saw this offence was the linesman (I certainly didn't see it!) and after informing the referee, Baggaley was red carded and a penalty awarded. Ashley Yeoman duly dispatched the spot kick to level the game.
Three minutes before the interval Bideford were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. Darren Hawking stepped up and sent the ball like a rocket into the top corner. An absolutely stunning goal. In stoppage time Ilfracombe only went and scored another contender for 'goal of the season' when a loose ball fell to Darren Parish who turned and fired it into the top corner from 20 yards to level it up at the interval.
The second half was no so entertaining and the game fizzled out. Bideford appeared to run out of ideas as 10 men Ilfracombe seemed to be content to settle for the draw by mounting a superb rearguard action. The Bluebirds did think they had won it late on, but Mike Heddon's effort was ruled offside.
Overall both teams could feel happy with a point apiece. A decent game to bring an end to my own footballing extravaganza in the South West. Roll on 2011!!!
The Sports Ground played host to a top of the table clash as league leaders Bideford clashed with third placed Ilfracombe in what was easily the Western League's game of the day. Adding more spice to the fixture was the fact that the Ifracombe had eight ex Bideford players on their books.
It turned out to be a very tasty derby, especially the first half. The football was not the greatest but you could not take your eye of the game as it was incident packed to say the least. Former Robins player Shaun Lewis gave Ilfracombe the lead after 5 minutes, when he went clear through to slot home.
There was controversy in the in 35th minute when Bluebirds defender Karl Baggaley was alleged to have stamped on Matt Hockley, off the ball in the penalty area. It appeared that the only person in the ground who saw this offence was the linesman (I certainly didn't see it!) and after informing the referee, Baggaley was red carded and a penalty awarded. Ashley Yeoman duly dispatched the spot kick to level the game.
Three minutes before the interval Bideford were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. Darren Hawking stepped up and sent the ball like a rocket into the top corner. An absolutely stunning goal. In stoppage time Ilfracombe only went and scored another contender for 'goal of the season' when a loose ball fell to Darren Parish who turned and fired it into the top corner from 20 yards to level it up at the interval.
The second half was no so entertaining and the game fizzled out. Bideford appeared to run out of ideas as 10 men Ilfracombe seemed to be content to settle for the draw by mounting a superb rearguard action. The Bluebirds did think they had won it late on, but Mike Heddon's effort was ruled offside.
Overall both teams could feel happy with a point apiece. A decent game to bring an end to my own footballing extravaganza in the South West. Roll on 2011!!!
Monday 5th April 2010
Western Premier League
Bideford 2-2 Illfracombe Town
Attendance: 334
