LATE GOAL PUTS OUR RIVAL IN THE DRIVING SEAT

The expression "football can be a cruel game" may be a cliche but you had to feel sorry for our players on Tuesday night after they gave everything only to lose to a very late goal of a freakish nature.

This was our 5th encounter against our hosts this season and the fact that only 8 goals in total have been scored in those 5 games gives you an indication that they are always tight affairs.

A supporter from another Club who was at the game summed it up perfectly when he said "neither team looked like scoring, shame a mistake in the last few seconds decided this game"

The deciding moment came in the 93rd minute, with the game seemingly heading towards a 0-0 result, when Connor Sansom came out to catch a long ball down the middle only to be surprised by the huge bounce that went over his outstretched hands allowing Ryan Inskip to have the easy task of slotting the ball into an empty net.

There should be no criticism of Connor because he was solid all night but was
caught out by one of those of things that occasionally happens in football. After losing to a fluky goal 10 days earlier at Colney Heath, the players will wonder whether the footballing gods have got in for them.

The defeat means our opponents jumped above us in the table to go top on goal difference but with 2 games in hand. They only have to win 3 of their last 5 games to win the title because they have a much better goal difference to ourselves (61 to 48) and Hadley (61 to 31), who are behind us in 3rd place.

Biggleswade have only lost 3 league games all season so are hardly likely to lose 3 of their last 5 games. Although our games against them have been close we have failed to beat them in any of the 5 games and they will therefore be worthy champions.

As for the game it was hardly surprising that having played each other so often that we cancelled each other out. It was competitive and tight with few scoring opportunities.

Luke Dunstan and Jon Clements had early efforts on goal but failed to hit the target. On the quarter hour mark a good move saw our opponents carve us open but from a promising shooting position Lee Northfield pulled his shot wide of the far post.

Alex Marsh is a gifted, clever player who is a constant threat and he produced a lovely turn but his shot went well wide. Soon afterwards Brima Johnson did well to clear the danger with Marsh closing in. Later Captain Tom Coles latched onto a good pass but shot over.

Undoubtedly the best chance fell to us in the 21st minute when Jon Clements was sent through but although his shot beat the keeper it agonisingly (for us) hit the post and bounced away to safety. As is so often the case it is small margins that can make a difference and unfortunately for us it didn't go in our favour.

A tough close half ended scoreless. HT Score 0-0.

Alex Marsh had an early shot that Connor Sansom saved easily but a minute later Connor was called upon to make a much better save after we gave the ball away in defence and allowed Alex Marsh a run on goal.

Jon Clements had a shot that was just wide and a good cross/shot from the right wing forced Connor Sansom to tip the ball away for a corner. Later a long cross from the right from Lawrie Marsh turned into a shot and Connor Sansom had to tip the ball over the top.

Still no signs of a goal although both Ashton Campbell and James Verney got away down the inside right channel and although they had a sight of goal they couldn't find the target. James Verney who had come on as sub connected with a cross from Jon Clements but it was from a difficult angle and his effort went well wide.

Alex Marsh was the main source of danger and his shot from the left of the area was deflected wide for a corner. As the clock ticked down the game went into Wild West mode as we went gun ho in an attempt to get that crucial winner leaving ourselves open at the back.

Connor Sansom was quick off his line to get to a dangerous through ball aimed at Alex Marsh. With time up and added time being played we looked as if we would have to make do with a point until fate intervened to deny us of even that. FT Score 1-0

Congratulations to our opponents who will surely go on to lift the title but commiserations to our lads, they didn't deserve to lose but that's football.

Despite this defeat we still have the runners up spot and possibly promotion to play for. At present Hadley are on the same number of points (76) and games played (35) but we have a vastly superior goal difference (48 to 31). If we win our last 3 games that should be enough unless of course Hadley go on a goal scoring spree.

So Ian will have to lift the lads for the challenges ahead starting at Edgware on Saturday, whilst Hadley visit Leighton Town. Biggleswade United were also in the running but their surprising 3-1 defeat at North Greenford United on Tuesday night means they are now outsiders for the second spot.

Teams:

BFC:1 Ross Tompkins 2 Adam Hunt (16 Sam Kelly 19) 3 Lawrie Marsh 4 Pat McCafferty 5 Nathan George 6 Benat Pena 7 Alex Marsh 8 Tom Coles (Capt) 9 Tom Cookman (12 Justin Leavers 82) 10 Lee Northfield 11 Ryan Inskip. Subs not used: 14 Abraham Eze 15 Michael Carroll 17 Joe Bradbury.

TA:1 Connor Sansom 2 Tommy Twelves 3 Brima Johnson 4 Mark Riddick 5 Dave OConnor 6 Carl Mensah 7 Luke Dunstan 8 Jon Clements 9 Ashton Campbell (14 James Verney 80) 10 Kieran Turner (Capt) 11 George Ironton. Subs not used: 12 Lee Stobbs 13 Dave Saunders 14 Roy Byron 16 Jack Sunderland.

Scorers

BFC:Ryan Inskip (90+3)

TA:-

Crowd:209

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