The Acorns embark on a 272-mile round trip on Saturday when we visit The Sports Ground to take on Bideford AFC, in the Southern League Div One South.
Positive form will be carried into this fixture with the Acorns looking to make it seven games unbeaten, in all competitions, following our 1-1 draw with Worcester Raiders on Tuesday night.
Ahead of our trip to North Devon, here is everything you need to know about Bideford.
THE OPPOSITION – BIDEFORD AFC
STADIUM – The Sports Ground
NICKNAME – The Robins
FOUNDED – 1883
MANAGER – Sean Joyce
LEAGUE POSITION – 18th
FORM GUIDE – L-D-D-L-D
SEARCHING FOR A WIN
It has been an unwanted start to the season for the Robins who are yet to taste victory in their opening eight games, in all competitions.
In the league it’s been four draws and two defeats for the Robins which leaves them sitting in 18th, just outside the drop zone on goals scored.
A goalless draw with fellow victory seekers Paulton Rovers last weekend saw the Robins pick up their third draw in their last four games.
In between those draws, the Robins fell short in a thrilling 4-3 encounter with Falmouth Town despite pulling the game level three times.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The Acorns met with the Robins on two occasions last season with both sides picking up victories.
When the Acorns visited Bideford last December, Louis Manning and an own goal saw the Acorns return home with 2-1 victory.
In the reverse fixture, it was a frustrating afternoon when Bideford snatched a late 1-0 victory at the 4ED Hartpury Stadium.
IN THE DUGOUT – SEAN JOYCE
Sean Joyce might as well been known as ‘Mr. Bideford’ having been in charge of the Robins for 27 years.
Joyce took over a struggling Robins side before turning them into Western League Premier Division champions in just three years.
After winning five Western League Premier titles, Joyce guided the Robins to the Southern League Div One South title in 2011/12 before recording the club’s highest ever league finish of 8th in the Southern League Premier South.
Joyce carries a wealth of EFL experience with him having featured for the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City and Torquay United, as a player, before entering non-league with Elmore, Taunton Town and Bideford.
PLAYER TO WATCH – FARREN SIMONS
With top scorer Ryan Turner set to be suspended following a red card against Paulton Rovers, the light might shine on Farren Simons.
Simons has netted twice in six games for the Robins and has played the fourth most minutes of any Robins player with 479 minutes.
Simons was on the scoresheet twice during their seven goal thriller with Falmouth.
RECENT FORM
19.09.26 – Bideford AFC 0-0 Paulton Rovers (Southern League Div One South)
15.09.26 – Falmouth Town 4-3 Bideford AFC (Southern League Div One South)
05.09.26 – Westbury United 2-2 Bideford AFC (Southern League Div One South)
31.08.26 – Bideford AFC 1-1 Willand Rovers (Southern League Div One South)
29.08.26 – Bideford AFC 1-2 Tiverton Town (FA Trophy)
