The opening stages of the game were cagey with neither defence really being troubled. Thatcham slowly started to build pressure and had a golden chance to take the lead on 17 minutes when a long ball found Kyle Tooze in the clear, he held off the defender but his shot beyond the advancing keeper and just past the post.
The Kingfishers continued to push forward with George Jeacock and Adam Kelly looking to provide crosses from the wide areas but the Bideford defence held firm. The best chance of the half for Bideford came from a free-kick which curled just over the bar.
Both teams started the second half looking to get forward but it was Bideford who took the lead on 72 minutes. A quick free kick was played into Ryan Turner on the edge of the box who turned his man and curled an effort past the fingertips of debutant keeper Calum Ward and in off the inside of the post.
Thatcham were soon back on level terms on 79 minutes, when Kyle Tooze raced onto a flick before rounding the goalkeeper and rolling the ball into an empty net.
A draw would perhaps have been a fair result but Bideford sealed all three points with a goal on 87 minutes. A penalty was awarded for a push in the box, Billy Tucker stepped up and blasted the ball down the middle past the diving keeper to claim the points.
Team : Ward; Miller, Angell, Thomas, Cattell; Alexander Rees Kelly Jeacock; Cooper-Clark, Tooze
Subs on : Melledew, Tennant, Stanley. Subs unused : Low, Williams
Report by Matt Bateman