the waders

BIGGLESWADE TOWN 1

ATHERSTONE TOWN 0

21-11-2009

Report by MITS (man in the stand)

Atherstone Town, with the best winning away record in the league arrived at the Carlsburg stadium full of confidence against a Waders side who have drawn their last 3 games. On a damp afternoon the crowd of 145 awaited the kick off.

A bright start by the Waders saw opportunities in front of the Atherstone goal being wasted and despite being well on top the score at half time was 0-0.

The 2nd half saw the contest become more even with Atherstone looking threatening and Waders still unable to break the deadlock. On 75 minutes Martin Fields and Tony Lamacraft (Waders coaches) changed the formation and brought on Steele for Heron. Within minutes this paid dividends with a cross from Daniel Flack missing out Donnelly and going straight to Steele who shot from the edge of the area to beat the keeper. Atherstone continued to press but were no real threat in the closing minutes. A win at last during November for the Waders and on the balance of play, much deserved.

Team. BULL, FLACK, COULSON, WEBSTER, REYNOLDS, SMITH, DANCE, LAMACRAFT, DONNELLY, HERON (STEELE), FRESHWATER

MOM (man of the match)

DANIEL FLACK

BROMSGROVE ROVERS 1 BIGGLESWADE TOWN 1

14-11-2009

Match Report by MITS

The extreme bad weather had put this match in doubt as early as Friday afternoon but an early pitch inspection confirmed the playing surface fit. The Waders bus left Biggleswade to be faced with road closures traffic jams and severe weather conditions all the way to Bromsgrove, where the afternoon was fine and dry.

A strong Waders team took on promotion hopefuls (according to their programme) Bromsgrove Rovers who are in the bottom 3 due to a 10 point deduction. The 1st half was an end to end game with Waders having the better chances playing up the slope. An uneventful half came to a close at 0-0.

The 2nd half started much as the 1st had ended but on 55 minutes with Waders loosing the ball in midfield a long hopeful ball saw the Bromsgrove No.7 Cameron Jones clear of the defence and putting the ball past a diving Dean Bull in the Waders goal. Within minutes multiple changes to both line ups saw Cox and Steele go off to be replaced by Dance and new signing Brett Donnelly for Biggleswade and Walters on for Richards and Owen for Spence for Bromsgrove. Waders pressed hard for an equalizer and on 70 minutes saw the ever reliable Dance shoot through a crowd of players and past the despairing goalkeeper. With Chris Johnson coming on to replace Heron the Waders forwards looked to threaten the opposition goal even further. Combination play between Dance, Johnson and new boy Donnelly created chances but no further goals. Full Time 1-1

Team: Bull, Flack, Coulson, Folds, Reynolds, Cox,(Dance), Lamacraft, Smith, Steele (Donnelly), Heron (Johnson), Freshwater

 Men of the Match

Liam Folds and Paul Reynolds

BIGGLESWADE TOWN 1

CHESHAM UNITED 1

Match Report 07-11-2009

By MITS (man in the stand)

Attendance 161

Promotion hopefuls Chesham United came to the Calsburg stadium today looking to improve their league position against a Waders team with changes from the side who drew 3-3 against Sutton Coldfield on Tuesday.

Although the line up looked defensive with Cox playing in front of a very solid back four, Waders had the better of the 1st half with chances being missed. A score line of 0-0 at half time did not reflect the Waders greater possession.

With the floodlights on Waders continued to press and after 61 minutes took a deserved lead. With the free running Flack exchanging passes with Lamacraft an eventual cross was headed away only as far as James Freshwater who from the edge of the box struck an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Cox, with this game being his 1st start since being out injured was replaced by Heron. Chesham replaced 2 players Laws and Archer going off to bring on Burnell and Marsala to try and salvage the game. On 75 minutes this paid dividends when Chesham No. 10 Cox (no relation)fired through the Waders defence. Chesham stepped up a gear and went looking for the winner only to be denied by a fine double save from Dean Bull in the Waders goal. Tense moments for the home crowd as the referee added nearly 5 minutes stoppage time. Final score 1-1

Team BULL: FLACK: COULSON: FOLDS: REYNOLDS: COX: LAMACRAFT: SMITH: STEELE: DANCE: FRESHWATER: Sub used HERON.

MITS Mom Mark Coulson

BIGGLESWADE TOWN 3 -

SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN 3

03-11-2009

By MITS (Man in the stand)

96 miles from home saw the visitors Sutton Coldfield Town have plenty to talk about on the return journey.

A crisp cool evening, a crowd of 112 saw the Waders dominate the 1st half with a goal, after only 10 minutes from James Freshwater after a mix up in the Sutton defence saw most of the Waders forwards have a go at trying to getting the ball past the keeper. A rare attack from Sutton brought a corner and a shock equalizer from No. 6 Batchelor beating all with a fine header half way through the 1st period. Waders restored the lead on the half hour with a fine move involving Daniel Flack running forward and delivering a pinpoint cross for Dan Heron to head past a stranded Sutton keeper. Half Time Waders 2 Sutton Coldfield 1.

There was more purpose about Sutton in the 2nd half and the game became even on 71 minutes with a diving header from the Sutton forward James Quiggin. Waders pressed and great inter play between Johnson and Heron brought rewards with Heron finishing off the move with a goal. Heron was taken off to be replaced by Yalley and Sutton made their own substitutions bringing on 2 new forward players. This paid dividends on 81 minutes with Matt Jamille heading into the Waders net. Final score 3-3

Team: Bull, Flack, Coulson, Webster, Folds, Smith, Dance, Lamacraft, Heron (Yalley), Johnson, Freshwater. Subs not used: Reynolds, Gatti, Jobe, Cox

MITS MoM: Bobby Dance

Burnham 2 Biggleswade Town 1

13-10-2009

Match report by Mits

By Tom-Tom, map or just knowing the way, the team and assorted others met at Burnham in Bucks on a clear crisp evening to take on a side who had only conceded 1 goal in 7 league outings this season. 117 crowd watched an entertaining match with quality football and goals.

Both defences proved miserly in the 1st half of end to end football. Burnham playing at pace and the Waders playing the patient passing game, both teams had chances. Extra entertainment from the linesman who fell over his own feet but recovered like a true pro and bowed to the crowd. HT 0-0

The 2nd half continued much the same but sooner or later something had to give. With only 8 minutes gone Papali the Burnham No. 9 picked up a loose ball on the left took a couple of paces, a shot that bent and twisted in the air to hit the back of the Waders net. 1-0 Waders took up the challenge and pressed hard. Heron injured was replaced by Hewitt just 21 minutes into the 2nd half to change the Waders formation. On the half hour James Freshwater picked up a ball midway in the Burnham half and weaved his way through to score a magnificent goal. 1-1. Waders were looking happy to take the draw but with 5 minutes to go Burnham’s No.10 Ryan Bird seemed to fly to a great height to head home past the Waders defence. Try as they may Waders could not get that vital 2nd goal. Final score 2-1

Team: Bull, Smith, Coulson, Gatti, Reynolds, Kilroy, Dance, Lamacraft, Steele, Heron(Hewitt), Freshwater

Mits Mom Peter Gatti

Barton Rovers 2 – 2 Biggleswade Town

10-10-2009

Match Report by MITS

Can you believe its mid October? The Waders travelled not too far this week to Barton Le Clay but still brought the good weather with them. A crowd of 154 enjoying the autumn sunshine.

The matrix clock (donated by Luton Town FC) hit 3pm and the game underway. 3 after 3 and the Waders were in front from a Dan Heron goal, his 2nd in as many weeks. Waders continued to press and were easily the better side, pushing back Barton time and again with chances being missed. With 15 minutes gone Barton’s No.10, Mason slipped the Waders defence and scored with a low shot beating the keeper. Still the Waders had more of the play but a mix up in defence between Bull, Webster and Reynolds allowed the Barton 7, Case to score with his head. The resulting injury led Webster to be replaced by Michael Cox. Unbelievable, Waders had had most of the play yet were going in 2-1 down at half time.

From the re-start the same story continued with Waders pressing. With an injury to Dan Heron, early in the half, James Freshwater came on. Waders continued to press with flowing football and on the half hour replaced Weeden with Kevin Kilroy. Barton’s only attacking ploy seemed to be the long high ball which either went out or was dealt with by the Waders defence. With the matrix clock still ticking, Bobby Dance and James Freshwater exchanging passes, with a wonderful final flick from Dance, saw Freshwater at the by-line and crossing for Dance to put the ball in the back of the net. 2-2 and Waders pressed again with chances falling again to Freshwater and Lamacraft. Deep into injury time Callum Donnelly No.15 for Barton was sent off for a 2nd bookable offence but there was not enough time for Waders to make this advantage pay and a final score of 2-2.

Team: Bull, Gatti, Coulson, Webster (Cox), Reynolds, Smith, Dance, Lamacraft, Steele, Heron (Freshwater), Weeden (Kilroy)

MITS Man of the Match - Stephen Smith

MATCH REPORT 03-10-2009

TILBURY 1 BIGGLESWADE TOWN 2

FA TROPHY PRELIMINARY ROUND

Today The Waders went into the FA Trophy after many years in the FA Vase, travelling to Tilbury in the “team bus” and arrived in good time, full of anticipation for the task ahead.

The afternoon was dry with a stiff breeze blowing down the pitch. The Waders playing with the wind in the 1st half found it difficult to measure passes most over hit to the Tilbury keeper. Early chances fell to Lamacraft, Weeden and Johnson but all were unable to find the net. On 17 minutes Tilbury No.6 Chris Taylor picked up on a loose ball and fired a low shot past The Waders defence to score. This lifted Tilbury and they had more of the play during the remaining time of the 1st half but were unable to increase their lead. Score at half time 1-0.

From the kick off The Waders play was more determined, playing into the wind suited the team. Waders kept pressing and on 15minutes Bobby Dance shot passed the Tilbury keeper to level the scores. Within minutes Manager Nunn replaced Chris Johnson with Dan Heron, just back from a long lay off due to injury. Tilbury were being forced back, on 25 minutes the Tilbury manager replaced 3 players at the same time but to no advantage as this appeared to disrupt the whole team. On 30 minutes Heron latched on to a loose ball to claim his comeback goal with a shot which easily beat the Tilbury defence. Tilbury tried to get back into the game pushing the centre half Golby into attack. Tilbury skimmed the Waders bar, with the ref playing what seemed an unfair amount of injury time, Tilbury were pressing hard but to no avail. Waders held out with a final of score of Waders 2 Tilbury 1

MITS mom Paul “Reyno” Reynolds.

Team Bull: Coulson: Gatti:Webster:Reynolds:Smith:Dance:Lamacraft:Steele:Johnson:Weedon: Subs: Folds, Freshwater, Heron, Carter, Samways

A small mention for the Tilbury support who for 6 guys made a huge amount of noise. In the end , back in the bar I am sure I heard them chant “GREEN ARMY”

Saturday 19th Sept. 2009

BTFC 2 Marlow 3

Match Report by MITS

Another warm sunny day at the Carlsberg stadium with a crowd of just over a hundred, in summer clothes awaiting the arrival of the 2 teams. Our visitors today Marlow, just one league position below The Waders.

The 1st half opened brightly for both teams, Marlow missing the opportunity to open the scoring with just 3 minutes gone. The Waders then had the better of the game with Lamacraft going close on 2 occasions with passes slid through the Marlow defence by Kevin Cooper. Marlow went ahead on the half hour from a corner with No. 8 slipping his marker to score with his head. From the restart The Waders pressed and were rewarded 5 minutes later with Bobby Dance living up to his name, going round 3 players and a pass to an unmarked Kevin Cooper who made no mistake beating the keeper to his left. The Waders had one more opportunity before half time a header from defender Michael Cox seemed to roll along the bar before going out of play. Half Time BTFC 1 Marlow1

Marlow came out the brighter team at the start of the 2nd half and after 6 minutes No.9 Alex Stewart scored low to Dean Bulls left side. With only another 4 minutes passed Marlow increased their lead with a breakaway goal. Chris Elsegood who had been injured was returning to the pitch and picked up on a loose ball to run at The Waders defence. A pass through to No. 10 who beat Dean Bull with a ground shot that just crept in at the far post. Substitutions followed and James Hall came on for James Freshwater and Mark Webster for Peter Gatti. Waders pressed but with no rewards and on the half hour manager Chris Nunn made the final substitution with Kevin Cooper off for Kieron Bishop to come on. Waders continued to press, with 3 minutes to go a long free kick from Bull found the head of Liam Folds whose attempt at goal bounced up off the pitch and over the advancing keeper. Despite a nervous few minutes for the Marlow defence, The Waders were kept at bay with the final score BTFC2 Marlow 3.

MITS Man of the Match - Jamie Steele

Team Bull. Gatti. Coulson. Cox. Folds. Smith. Dance. Lamacraft. Steele. Cooper. Freshwater. Subs. Hall. Webster. Bishop.

Thursday 17th September

Capital Football League

BTFC 5 - 1 Concord Rangers

The Waders Capital League side treated the handful of fans at the Carlsberg Stadium to an entertaining surprise as they put five goals past second placed Concord Rangers.

Concord Rangers had made the long trip from Canvey Island with a squad of only eleven players but their league form suggested that this game could be a very tough test for the young home side. After one minute the visitors were a goal up and it appeared that things might be going against the Waders.

However, the home side gathered their composure and started to gain more possession of the ball and then ten minutes of domination as Kieran Bishop scored two goals in two minutes and four minutes later Kevin Kilroy added the third with a thirty yard free kick. Kieran Bishop added a fourth to the tally and got his hattrick on twenty seven minutes and effectively it was game, set and match with a little over an hour to go.

The Waders now with a three goal cushion took more control of the game and had a few chances to increase the score but had to wait until the seventieth minute when Bishop added his fourth of the night. The result moves the Waders up to fourth spot in the league and maintains the 100% home record.

Saturday 12th September

Atherstone Town 1 - 1 BTFC

Match report by MITS

A warm sunny afternoon greeted the Waders to Atherstone Town FC just to the east of Birmingham. The pitch in good condition, the crowd in summer clothes awaited the kick off.

The first half started at a quick pace with both sides pushing forward. On 6 minutes Atherstone had a goal disallowed for offside that was fiercely disputed by the home team. On 23minutes another great save from Dean Bull with a goal line clearance from Liam Folds kept the Waders clean sheet intact. Almost immediately Bobby Dance was at the oppositions goal with a long range shot that nearly caught out Dave Whatsize the Atherstone keeper, the ball took a wicked bounce only to go wide. On 40 minutes Waders went ahead with a goal from Jamie Steele, the ball passed to him from Bobby Dance at chest height and Steele tried to chest the ball past the keeper, who parried, Steele turned away, chance gone, but the keeper had pushed it back to Steele and he made no mistake the second time. Half time score Atherstone 0 Waders 1

Atherstone started the second half pushing the Waders back and a shot just wide and a succession of corners all dealt with by the Waders defense kept the score line intact. James Hall and Jack Weeden broke away from the Atherstone defence only to see their efforts go wide of the goal. Penalty appeals from both sides were waved away by the ref. Late in the game with 4 minutes to go a shot from Atherstone No. 11 Matty Lewis went through a crowd of players and into the net to make the final score 1-1.

Dean Bull made 3 or 4 great saves which kept Waders in the match and he is to be congratulated on yet another fine performance. MITS man of the match Glen Lamacraft.

BTFC; Bull, Gatti, Coulson, Cox, Folds, Smith, Dance, Lamacraft, Steele (Webster), Hall, Weeden (Flack)

Saturday 5th September

Slough Town 4 Biggleswade Town 2

Match report By MITS (man in the stand)

On a bright sunny afternoon the Waders visited Beaconsfield, the temporary home of Slough Town. An even first half saw opportunities from both sides with Slough just having the upper hand - however Dean Bull pulled off 3 fine saves, one of which was at the feet of the Slough forward bearing down on the Waders goal. Half time arrived and the score was 0-0 which reflected an even performance from both teams.

The game restarted in much the same way as the first half had finished, however the noisy Slough fans which had been behind the Waders goal in the first half now vacated the stand and moved to the other end to again try and distract Dean Bull.

On 57 minutes the Slough captain Edgeworth found himself free at the far post to power a shot into the Waders net. It was only 3 minutes later and Slough doubled the lead with a goal from a similar position by No. 8 Tyrone Sealey who had been running at the Waders defence all afternoon.

Following the second goal immediate action was taken by manager Nunn and on came Bobby Dance and James Hall to replace Jamie Steele and Daniel Flack. This added life to the Waders attack and within minutes paid off with combination play between Dance and Hall with Hall netting the return pass. Waders hearts were lifted.

On 77 minutes the Waders conceded a free kick on the edge of the box and much taunting from the crowd saw a fine free kick from Edgeworth leave both the defence and goalie Bull motionless as the ball flew into the top corner. Waders pressed and brought out saves from the Slough keeper but another break saw Slough increase their lead on 87 minutes with a goal from Sinclair.

In the last throws of the game Glen Lamacraft ran into the Slough box only to be hauled down by the keeper. Lamacraft scored from the spot to make the final score 4-2.

MOM - Liam Folds

BTFC – Bull, Gatti, Coulson, Webster, Folds, Hewitt (Feakes), Flack (Hall), Lamacraft, Weeden, Steele (Dance), Freshwater

Tuesday 25th August

BTFC 3 – 1 Woodford United

Biggleswade Town took control of this game fairly early and with a changed forward line of Jamie Steele and Jack Weeden along with a couple of further changes from Saturday the Waders were looking a lot more determined on the night. A couple of half chances came and went which led to the opening goal on twenty minutes when Jack Weeden slotted home his shot beating the keeper at the far post. With Woodford playing five across midfield it made for an entertaining battle in the middle of the park but the Waders were breaking down any attack with the back four clearing any attacks that beat midfield. In fairness the home side should have doubled their advantage before the break but the score remained 1-0 at half time.

The second half started in much the same vane as the first half with the Waders having more of the possession. Just before the hour mark the Waders won a corner from which a looping header by Paul Reynolds travelled across the goal and was bundled home by Glen Lamacraft. On seventy two minutes a shot from Bobby Dance hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced downwards and was kicked away by a Woodford defender and from the stands it looked like Woodford had prevented the goal being scored but a quick confirmation between referee and assistant referee confirmed that a third goal had been scored. With the clock counting down James Freshwater replaced James Hall which saw some extra pace introduced on the wing. Five minutes before the end Dan Douglas and Phil Feakes replaced Steele and Weeden up front and the game looked as if it would end 3-0 when with the last kick of the game Woodford’s James Fountain shot home for a consolation goal for Woodford. The result puts the Waders in seventh place sharing the same points as seven other teams positioned from third to ninth in the league.

BTFC: Bull, Gatti, Coulson, Reynolds, Cox, Hewitt, Dance, Lamacraft, Weeden (Douglas), Steele (Feakes), Hall (Freshwater)

Saturday 22nd August

Stourport Swifts 0 - 0 Biggleswade Town

The welcome to unbeaten Stourport Swifts lasted three minutes for Waders Captain Mark Webster when the elbow of a Stourport forward made contact with his eye forcing an early substitution. The incident not seen by the referee or assistant referees went unpunished. Paul Reynolds replacing the injured Webster soon found himself on the end of an ungainly challenge but was soon back on his feet. Unfortunately this set the tone for some of the challenges in the early part of the game which the Waders soon were dominating. Unfortunately a number of chances were missed or saved by the Swifts keeper Paul Evans who was largely responsible for keeping a clean sheet for the home side. Any attacks from the Swifts were dealt with comfortably by the Waders back four with some good performances from Peter Gatti and especially Michael Cox whose experienced defending was clear to see.

The second half carried on much in the same vane with more goal scoring chances for the Waders going begging and the Waders defence dealing with the few Stourport attacks. The home side won a free kick some ten yards outside the Waders box and from the resultant free kick the ball did find the back of the net but it was obvious to all including the match officials that Swifts Captain Wes Joyce had punched the ball into the net and Joyce was duly cautioned for his efforts. The introduction of James Hall for the Waders injected some more pace into the attack but as the clock counted down it was a case of some good play but no end result. It’s always good to get a point away from home against an unbeaten side but on reflection the amount of possession and attempts on goal should have seen the Waders heading south with three points. For the Waders the Man of the Match has to go to Michael Cox whose defending was definitely a key factor in keeping a clean sheet.

Biggleswade Town: Bull, Gatti, Coulson, Webster (Reynolds), Cox, Lamacraft, Dance, Hewitt, Steele, Douglas (Hall), Weeden.

Tuesday 18th August

Bury Town 2 – 1 Biggleswade Town

This was always going to be a tough match, Bury are a good team who last season finished seventh in this Division just missing out on the play-offs by a couple of points. The opening quarter of an hour saw a fairly even game of football with Bury just looking the more likely to score when Jamie Steele received the ball some thirty yards out from the Bury goal on the left hand side, he turned and shot into the top right hand side of the goal leaving Bury keeper Marcus Garnham diving into empty space. Bury had a few more attempts at the Waders goal and the Waders defence found themselves working hard to keep the Bury forwards at bay. Then on 37 minutes what appeared to be a clear case of pulling Glen Lamacraft to the ground went unpunished by the referee and now with possession of the ball Bury launched an attack on the Waders goal with Sam Reed slotting home his shot. The remainder of the half saw a couple of chances at either end with both keepers making good saves.

After the break Bury had more of the possession and had several shots saved by Dean Bull whose efforts were really frustrating the Bury forwards. The introduction of Kieran Bishop for the Waders caused a few problems for Bury but their back four managed to thwart the Waders attacks. Bury were increasing their efforts on the Waders goal but each attack was met with a resolute back four and keeper. It was all beginning to look like a draw when two minutes into added time Bury won a corner and through a sea of bodies Gavin Johnson managed to head home a winner for Bury. There was just enough time for the Waders to launch one more attack on the Bury goal but some good defending kept the ball out. It is almost certain that Bury will be near the promotion places again if they continue as they played in this match and for the Waders some consolation has to be taken from the fact that we went to Bury, nearly came away with a draw and by no means disgraced ourselves.

BTFC: Bull, Gatti, Coulson, Webster, Cox, Kilroy, Dance (Hewitt), Lamacraft, Cooper (Bishop), Steele, Weeden

Saturday 15th August

Waders 3 -1 Aylesbury United

The opening game of the season saw newcomers Biggleswade Town secure all three points with a 3-1 victory over Aylesbury United.

At a sundrenched carlsberg stadium 150 spectators, watched as Biggleswade’s fast breaking forward Jack Weeden twice dribbled round the Aylesbury defence, firstly in the 8th minute for Jamie Steele to tap home from 2 yards.

Biggleswade continued to dominate and following good work down the left, James Freshwater cut inside the full back and scored from just outside the box on 33 minutes.

On 43 minutes Jack Weeden, man of the match, collected the ball on the half way line, beat 5 defenders and dribbled round the keeper to net the third goal.

The second half continued to be dominated by the home team and several good chances went wide or were cleared from the line, and the game was drawing to a close when a mistake between the goalkeeper and defender allowed Ashleigh James to net a consolation goal for Aylesbury.

man of the match – Jack Weedenentertainment rating-- 4