Bideford are thumped as Waders’ hot run goes on

The Waders made it four wins on the bounce in a surprisingly comfortable triumph over their Devon opponents.

At a sunny Carlsberg Stadium, the game could have been a really low key end-of-season affair with both sides nestled comfortably in the top half of the table.

But, after a quiet opening 20 minutes with few clear cut chances, it was Waders who grabbed the initiative.

Craig Daniel fired one shot into the side netting but, with 33 minutes on the clock, the visitors went ahead.

Russell Short controlled the ball on the edge of the box and his sublime left foot shot found the corner of the net for his first goal for the club.

Minutes later, Lee Allinson’s free-kick from the edge of the box hit the post – Brett Donnelly followed in and there were loud appeals that his shot was stopped by a Bideford defender’s hand, but no penalty was given.

Biggleswade just edged the first half and had a perfect opportunity to extend their lead five minutes into the second period when Sam Reed was pulled back by a defender and the referee pointed to the spot.

Allinson stepped up but his spot kick was saved low to the keeper’s right.

However, Allison’s blushes were spared as Biggleswade made it 2-0 on the hour mark. Donnelly’s cross from the left was met by Daniel with a thunderous shot on the far side of the box and the effort flew into the net.

Daniel and Sam Reed both went close, before Waders wrapped up the points with the goal of the game after 76 minutes.

Allison and Sam Reed combined excellently down the left hand side and the move ended with Reed laying the perfect ball into the middle. Don nelly left it cleverly and Lee Reed arrived to fire home into the top corner.

Bideford pushed up in the last 10 minutes but the Waders goal remained untroubled to keep the end-of-season winning run going.

There was also the welcome return of Mark Coulson as a sub late on after five months out through injury.