BIGGLESWADE TOWN (Langford Road)

SOUTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE, BIGGLESWADE TOWN 2-0 LEAMINGTON, ATTENDANCE: 320

The first leg of my Good Friday led me cross country to Bedfordshire where Biggleswade Town were hosting Leamington in a Southern League encounter.


As the business end of the season fast approaches, the only thing riding on this encounter was a mathematical chance of Leamington winning the title. However, at the start of play, The Brakes were 8 points behind leaders Chippenham Town with three games left to play. However, clinching runners up spot would guarantee Leamington home advantage in the play-offs.

Biggleswade's play off hopes faded around February/March time with a run of one win in seven games. The side have recovered well after this run, winning five games out of six, but are currently in 9th position, 13 points adrift of 5th placed Merthyr. 

It looks like another season of consolidation for Biggleswade after they were promoted to the Southern Premier League in 2013 after defeating Rugby Town in the play-off final. The club joined the Southern League in 2009 after winning the Spartan South Midlands League title.

This championship coincided with The Waders first season at the Carlsberg Stadium. The club had left their previous home, Fairfield Road, in 2006. The ground, on Langford Road, has been known as the Carlsberg Stadium since it was built and has a capacity of 3,000.

It is another fine example of a modern non-league football ground with a large seated main stand and a couple of additional pre-fab terraces. It was on the terrace behind the goal that the 'Green Army' congregated in the first half and they certainly made themselves heard!

The home side had a couple of early chances, and the better of possession, but the match had an end of season feel to it with neither side really troubling the respective 'keepers. However, in the 35th minute, The Waders took the lead when Connor Hall was on hand to prod the ball home, at the second attempt, after his initial effort was saved by Tony Breedon (pictured below left). It was probably no more than they deserved.

 The second half was just four minutes old when a corner was whipped into the six yard box and Tony Burnett was on hand to flick the ball into the back of the net (pictured below).

This was effectively game over. Leamington did their best to try and get themselves back into the game but they found it difficult to get past a resolute Biggleswade defence. This result continued The Waders fine recent form and no doubt also sparked scenes of celebration down in Chippenham, as they were confirmed as Champions.