Hednesford Town travelled south to Bedfordshire to take on relegation threatened Biggleswade Town looking to banish the memory of last week’s home defeat to Alvechurch. With Biggleswade in deep trouble at the bottom of the table, the game represents a must win for the home side in their battle to avoid the drop. The Waders did show tremendous battling qualities in their previous game though on Tuesday night as they came back from 2-0 down to snatch a point in a draw against promotion chasing Coalville Town. The Waders grabbed a 92nd minute equaliser in the early season meeting at Keys Park, denying the Pitmen a fourth consecutive win.
Unsurprisingly, given the value of the three points on offer, the Waders tried to dictate the pace from kick-off with a pressing game. The Pitmen were content to ride the storm and restrict the number of chances the home side could carve out. Luke Middleton directed a header wide of the post from a corner in what was Biggleswade’s best chance of the half. The Pitmen’s tactics appeared to have paid off when a surging run from Riley O’Sullivan was illegally ended, they were awarded a penalty just after half an hour of play, despite the referee asking for the spot kick to be retaken after seeing an infringement Reece Flanagan kept his nerve to score the opener. A strong spell from Hednesford produced a second goal before the half time break, Leroy Lita bagged his fourth goal in four games with a close range finish from Kyle Bennett’s cross.
HT 0-2
The second half began the same way as the first, Biggleswade needing the points and now with a two goal deficit needed to make something happen quickly. The Waders were unable to convert their possession into clear chances, with the Pitmen rarely troubled in their defensive third of the pitch. Hednesford’s keeper Oliver Basey was called upon to make his first save of the game from a freekick in the 66th minute, following a foul by Josh Webb. Former Hednesford Town player Enoch Andoh shot over the bar from the edge of the box, in a rare chance for the home side as the minutes ticked away.
There would be no late comeback from Biggleswade in a game that, in terms of league position, meant more to them than their visitors, the Pitmen put in a top away performance to put right the result against Alvechurch last week.
Biggleswade Town; Hill, Ketier, Farrell, Middleton, Mahoney, Parker, Dearman, Mampolo (Cardines 69), Lodovica, Andoh, Smyth. Subs not used; Parrett, Devine.
Hednesford Town; Basey, Webb, Portman, Riley, Ison, Flanagan, Tilt, Parker (Smith 83), Lita, Bennett, O’Sullivan. Subs not used; Zohore, Hayden, Ebbutt, Williams.
