Westinsure St. Lukes Bowl
Bideford 2 United 1 (Carayol)
United line-up: Michael Searle; Tyrone Thompson (c), Ed Palmer, Kevin Nicholson, Nick Milton, Eunan O'Kane, Lloyd Macklin (Taylor), Danny Stevens, Ashley Yeoman (Saul Halpin), Mustapha Carayol, Jake Thomson. Subs: Rob Hemming, Ray Spear, Scott Taylor, Saul Halpin, TJ Lang.
Bideford line-up: Grant Fisher; Matt Dunning, Nick Barker, Dominic Rivans, Darren Hawkings, Rob Francis, Clay Bond, Matt Hockley, Ellis Laight, Ben Wood, Matt Andrew (c). Subs: Kevin Squire, Billy Hopcroft, Mike Turner.
Despite taking an early lead a strong looking United line-up went down to a last minute defeat at Bideford in their Westinsure St. Lukes Bowl quarter final. First team squad members formed the nucleus of the team with Tyrone Thompson captaining the side from right back, Kevin Nicholson took up a centre back role and Mustapha Carayol partnered Ashley Yeoman in attack. Danny Stevens & Eunan O'Kane anchored the midfield with Lloyd Macklin and Jake Thomson filling the wide roles.
United took the lead in the 11th minute when a through ball left Mustapha Carayol in a foot race with Bideford 'keeper Fisher and it was a race that Carayol won which left him with a simple pass into an open goal to open the scoring.
There was a smattering of players in the home team ranks with experience of playing for Torquay United including ex-pros Matt Hockley & Ellis Laight and along with their team mates they pulled themselves back into the match just nine minutes after falling behind when Laight struck home from close range.
The pitch was uneven which didn't help either side play a passing game although Eunan O'Kane in the middle of United's midfield gave a performance as good as any on the night.
United nearly scored a second but Fisher saved well from Yeoman in a game that was lacking many clear scoring opportunities.
The second half was an even contest but still no clear cut chances were being created in a competitive match never really hit any level of quality. O'Kane struck a powerful shot just over the Bideford crossbar but neither 'keeper had a lot to do as the match seemed to be heading toward extra-time.
United had plenty of possession in wide areas but could not turn these positive situations into something concrete in front of goal and ultimately paid the price.
Just a minute from time the deadlock was broken when a Bideford throw-in fell inside the United area and Bond finished with a right foot volley past Mike Searle. There was no time for United to respond and Bideford took their place in the semi-final draw.
