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.

RUGBY TOWN (Butlin Road)

SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL PLAY-OFF FINAL, RUGBY TOWN 1-3 BIGGLESWADE TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 1,126

It was a gorgeous Bank Holiday Monday as I headed down the M6 for a tasty game at Butlin Road. Rugby Town and Biggleswade Town were competing for the right to be playing Southern League Premier football next season.

Rugby Town have had an interesting history to say the least. I hope I've got it right!  The actual name Rugby Town was not the original name of the current incarnation. The club began as Valley Sports before becoming Valley Sports Rugby in 1971.

VS Rugby moved to Butlin Road in 1973 when they ground shared with the original Rugby Town, but Rugby Town folded before the year was out, after spending 15 years in the Southern League.

VS Rugby became the main tenants and, after winning the FA Vase in 1983, reached the Southern League before being liquidated in the mid 1990's. Supporters rescued the club and they became known as Rugby United before everything came full circle, so to speak, when they changed their name to Rugby Town.

After being pipped to the title by Burnham, today was a chance for the club to return to the Southern Premier. Standing in their way were Biggleswade Town, who finished 11 points behind Rugby in the table but who had taken 4 points off them over their two league encounters.

There was a bumper crowd at Butlin Road today, treble their previous best crowd of the season, and a tight close game was expected. That is how it proved to be.

Rugby started brightest but Biggleswade worked their way into the game and overall there was nothing between the sides in the opening 45 minutes. Lewis McBride crashed a shot against the crossbar for Rugby and the Biggleswade attack forced Valley 'keeper David Bevan into meaningful action.

The deadlock was finally broken after 51 minutes when David Kolodynski broke clear and lifted the ball over Michael McEntegart to give the homesters the lead.

Rugby were starting to look the more dominant team but six minutes later Biggleswade were awarded a controversial penalty. A Biggleswade player went down in the box under a challenge from a defender, but from where I was stood the contact looked minimal. The linesman put the flag across his chest and, despite the protests, the penalty was given. Lee Allison kept his cool amongst the furore and stepped up to convert (pictured below).

The equaliser seemed to momentarily knock the stuffing out of Rugby and Biggleswade had chances to go in front, one effort from Craig Daniel being cleared off the line.

As the game wore on though it became more stretched and both teams were looking vulnerable to the counter attack and unfortunately for the majority of the crowd, it was Rugby who succumbed.





Paul Barnes celebrates his 2nd goal

 With just four minutes remaining a quick break saw the ball crossed into the box and Paul Barnes was there to fire home.

Just two minutes later, as Rugby pushed forward in desperate search of an equaliser, they got caught again and another cross once again found it way to Barnes at the back post who poked the ball home to seal a famous win for Biggleswade and with it promotion to Step 3, for the first time in their history.

Disappointment for The Valley, joy for The Waders but for me, an exceedingly enjoyable day in the sunshine at a rather splendid ground.

 

 



The Biggleswade players celebrate at the final whistle