The Robins Fly In for Challenge Cup Round 2
St Lukes Challenge Cup Round 2
Tiverton Town v Bideford
Kick Off: 7:30pm
At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium
In the second of four meetings with Bideford this season, the Yellows’ will go head-to-head with their North Devon rivals in Round Two of the St Lukes Challenge Cup, on Tuesday evening. In August, the away FA Trophy tie ended in a 2-1 win for Tiverton, as Owen Howe and Jacob Wellington got on the scoresheet.
Both sides have made unconvincing starts to their league campaigns, with Bideford lying in 17th place and Tiverton slipping to 15th after their home loss to Portland at the weekend. Although the Robins’ achieved an impressive result on the road, in beating play off placed Bishops Cleeve.
With the sheer volume of games that both sides have played in cluttered schedules, a first choice eleven is perhaps unlikely. Although strong line ups from each club will still take to the field. Positions will be very much up for grabs, after consecutive defeats for the Yellows’ and addressing those disappointments will be on the minds of the coaching staff and the players.
Sean Joyce’s side has seen a few player departures since that last meeting; including Javan Wright moving to Taunton and goalscorer on that day Archie Reay returning for another stint with Willand.
Having found the net 4 times in 10 league games Jordan Ewing has been in good scoring form. This a second spell at Bideford for the talented front man, who spent the latter half of last season with Brixham.
33-year-old Ryan Turner has plenty of experience at this level and the strong target- man has been captaining the team. Playing over 250 games for the visitors, Turner has additionally worn the colours of Barnstaple and Bridgwater.
Finn King-Smith began the season at Barnstaple, but the gifted midfielder has hit the ground running, after making the switch to the Sports Ground. Bagging a couple of goals he has caught the eye and has very much established himself in the Robins’ line up.
Young midfield schemer Faren Simons, has added goals to his creative playing style this term and has been on target three times. Simons played for the Yellows’ in the 2024/25 season and has no shortage of ability and vision.
Making a couple of appearances for Exeter City as a young pro, Alex Byrne is a cultured performer. The 30-year-old notably was with Weston Super Mare in the past and was a loanee at Truro, in his time with the Grecians'. He is another player to have played more than 200 games for Bideford, first appearing for them in the 2019/20 campaign.
Plymouth Argyle academy product, midfield player Harley Sneap has established himself in Sean Joyce’s team this term, after spending the majority of the previous season with Willand. However, he began last term with Weymouth and is a promising technical footballer.
Dependable defender Sam Wright’s formative years were in Southampton and Yeovil’s academies. The 29-year-old centre back has also represented Poole, Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, our first-round opposition. Argyle loanee, defender Sam Hayman has made a good impact since arriving from Home Park and looks like a good prospect.
Between the sticks is Luke Gwillam. The Robins’ number one has put together a string of solid displays and played for Liskeard, before he moved to the Sports Ground.
Louis Slough and Finn Roberts were part of Sean Joyce’s group at Bideford for a few seasons, Billy Tucker had a long-playing association with the Robins’ and Owen Howe, Ed Palmer and Louis Jagger Cane have also played for the North Devon side.
Asa Hall and his coaching team will be aiming to regain that winning formula again and will I’m sure be using this game as serious preparation, for Saturday's league match at Larkhall. So, get yourself down to the ground and get behind the lads!
