WADERS HOLD ON TO WIN THE BIGGLESWADE DERBY

Wader's visiting fans in the sunshine on Saturday afternoon

Biggleswade United welcomed their neighbour's Biggleswade Town to Second Meadow for a testimonial game to celebrate Martin Russell's ten year career with United. Russell has been an amazing player for the home side - he has made 336 appearances and scored 33 goals since making his debut in 2004.

Martin Russell - A Biggleswade United legend

All proceeds from the game went towards the very good cause of the Bedford neo-natal unit.

Rewind to 2006 and footballing map in the Bedfordshire town was slightly different as The Wader's left their Fairfield Road ground and began ground-sharing at Bedford United's McMullen Park. They finished 18th of 21 clubs in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division with United in 14th place. Town's move into their new Carlsberg Stadium in 2008 coincided with a championship season and promotion to the then Southern League Divison One (Midlands) for the 2009/10 season. A further promotion via the play-offs in 2012/13 means they now ply their trade in the Calor League Premier Division (step 3 of the non-league ladder). United have stayed in the lower reaches of the SSMFL Premier but have developed their Second Meadow home into a decent stadium for Step 5 level.

How far Town have come is indicated in comparing their average league attendance in 2006/07 which was 35 when ground sharing to last season's of 198.

The home goalkeeper made some terrific saves especially in the second half 

Yesterday on a very humid afternoon they raced into a 0-3 lead early in the first half and had chances to make the game safe when 1-3 in the second half with the United keeper making some great saves. The home side made it 2-3 and had a great chance to make it 3-3 only for a last ditch block on the line in the final moments of the game.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 
inc all five goals scored