Match Preview

Bideford AFC V Willand Rovers

There’s a massive Devon Derby to be contested on Saturday as the battle to survive the drop continues as we travel to North Devon to take on Bideford AFC in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO!

Last time out for Rovers, Malvern Town were the visitors to Silver Street for another important night under the lights. For 90 minutes, it looked like it would be a point a piece but the visitors snatched it at the death as Piers Walton’s scrappy goal led to a difficult evening for Willand.

The focus shifts to Saturday as we head to Bideford. Sean Joyce’s men have a huge battle of their own alongside Ben Watson’s boys in surviving the drop this season and in a potential turning point for either side, this could be the most important game of each side’s season.

Bideford’s last league game was a trip over to Bashley where the Robins got themselves a vital three points over a relegation rival as goals from Ryan Turner, Javan Wright and Farren Simons made sure that the stags were stopped from clawing a point. However, in the week, Bideford bowed out of the St. Luke’s Bowl to Holsworthy on penalties and will be fired up to get themselves back on track.

One to watch for this weekend’s hosts would have to be young attacker Farren Simons who came through the ranks at North Devon rivals Barnstaple before earning a scholarship with Derby County. Spells at other local non-league clubs followed but he now plies his trade with the Robins where he’s ruffling a few feathers in the division with his quality.

Our last meeting with Bide takes us back to November, when Joycey’s men came to the street with a game plan in a Devon Derby to forget for Rovers. Bideford managed a 3-2 win with goals from Scott Robinson & Jamie Hearsay giving the visitors all three on the afternoon as Rovers yearned to win that match up.

For all making the journey to the little white town, get behind the lads as much as you can. The fun bus is in operation for this fixture with it leaving at 12:30 from Silver Street with the fare at £15, contact Mike Hawkins to book on if you’d like to back the lads in this local clash. As always, up the Rovers.

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