Sean rejoices

Devonians Bideford edged past a spirited Wimborne by a single goal at the Bideford Sports Ground to book their place in the Fourth Round of The FA Vase.

The result delighted manager Sean Joyce, who admits cup results such as these are a fitting advert for the beautiful game.

"This is The FA Cup of our level," he said. "You put yourself up against the best teams in the country and that game today had two sides going for each other’s throats.

"It was brilliant," he said. "There was nothing cagey about it. Once you are on the pitch, you want to win. They attacked and we attacked - and that's what I love about the Vase. You lay your heart on the line.

"It was a tough game to be fair," he admitted. "In the first half, they got it down, passed it and it was hard for us to stay in the match, to tell the truth."

Joyce admits there were a few choice words at half-time - but they clearly had the desired effect on his team, who went on to progress by the slenderest of margins.

"When we came in at half-time, I had a chat and I told my team ‘Look it’s The FA Vase. They're not going to give it to you.'

"You have to go out there and earn the right to play in it and we had to step the tempo up. In the second half, we totally dominated."

The result has set up a dream tie for Joyce, who is relishing the prospect of a Devon v Cornwall derby in the Fourth Round, when Bideford will meet Truro City.

"Truro are the favourites," he concedes. "We respect them, but we don’t fear them and I cannot wait.

"It is a massive game and there will be a huge crowd for Cornwall against Devon - so bring it on."