IMPRESSIVE BIGGLESWADE FC CELEBRATE FANTASTIC WIN AGAINST BALDOCK TOWN

It was an eagerly anticipated local derby day at Roker Park on Tuesday evening as Baldock Town welcomed Biggleswade FC in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One. The game saw fourth place play second place in the table with both sides in good form having had some notable results of late. 

Going into the game Baldock had one of the best league records in the country winning all seven of the games they had played scoring seventeen goals without conceding one. Biggleswade had won eight and lost just two of their league games (against Kensington Borough and Broadfields) - they knew victory would possibly, pending Risborough Rangers result at home to Harefield United, send them to the top of the league table. 

On the day after the heavily publicised "biggest game of the Barclays Premier League season so far" between Liverpool and Manchester United ended in a uneventful stalemate with chances at premium this game was so much more entertaining and had loads more incidents to talk about. Both teams attacked, played some impressive football and attempted to win the game - It was a great advert for the non-league so it's a shame only 59 people saw it. If Klopp and Mourinho's men would of played out what occurred in this game it would be a talked about for many years beyond Merseyside and Manchester.   

The first half was really competitive with a smattering of hefty challenges being put in and a number of bookings being dished out. 

After letting in no goals in seven league league games the Baldock defence will be very unhappy at the two goals that Biggleswade scored in the first half. George Reilly found himself with what seemed like acres of space outside of the box giving him the time to strike the ball home past Jack Farmer in the Baldock goal. Just moments later a looping corner was headed home at the far post by Ryan Vale. The half time score was 0-2 and Biggleswade looked good for it with Tom Cookman and Ebey Marango looking decent up front.

A number of the Baldock supporter's group known as 'The Red Army' were furious they weren't given a penalty kick in the first half when one of their players went down after a challenge in the box - Have a look at the video from 0m 40s to see what you think? Was there any contact made?

The home side came back into the game as manager Luke Gregson made two substitutions at half time. They narrowed the deficit to 1-2 via Owen Robertson and the game looked well with in their reach but it was Biggleswade who got what looked like a killer third goal. Cookman headed home a fantastic cross at the far post after a brilliant cross from the right had side. Cookman whom had already been booked was slightly over exuberant in his celebration kicking the corner flag sending it flying over the spectator fence - the referee subsequently sent him off for a second bookable offence. 

Baldock continued to put the pressure on the the away back line and scored another via Robertson to make it 2-3. Biggleswade showed some immense character and team work to defend well in the face of the numerous home attacks. Just before the final whistle a long ball was launched from their keeper up field which was received by Marango who smashed the ball past Farmer to the delight of their bench to record a memorable victory for his side. This was definitely the goal of the night and one of the best i've seen all season so far. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 
15 minutes of highlights including all six of the goals scored


Credit to both teams for a highly entertaining match - Biggleswade's social-media tweeted that this season will surely be Baldock's last one in the SSMFL Division One as they are a quality side. A nice touch from a great new club.  

I would say both will be involved in the race for the title - Biggleswade are now top of the table following Risborough's 1-1 draw at home to Harefield United. 

Baldock will be hoping they get a better result against Biggleswade United in the Buildbase FA Vase on Saturday - this will be a SSMFL Division One (Step 6) v Premier Division (Step 7) local derby. Biggleswade FC are on their travels in the Vase as they journey to Plaistow in East London and The Terrance McMillan Stadium where they played Essex Olympian League Premier Division side Canning Town who shocked Essex Senior League side Southend Manor in the last round - since that victory CTFC have lost to Kelvedon Hatch, won against Buckhurst Hill and last weekend drew 3-3 away at Rayleigh Town. 

If you live close to either Baldock or Biggleswade I would recommend a visit to watch either side in action. 

Spartan South Midlands League 
Division One 
Current Table - Top Eight Only 

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS
1	BIGGLESWADE FC	11	+14	27
2	RISBOROUGH RANGERS	12	+9	26
3	HILLINGDON BOROUGH	12	+16	22
4	WODSON PARK	14	+3	22
5	HARPENDEN TOWN	10	+19	21
6	BALDOCK TOWN	8	+15	21
7	KENSINGTON BOROUGH	12	+8	21
8	WINSLOW UNITED	10	+7	21

FORTHCOMING LEAGUE FIXTURES

SATURDAY 22nd OCTOBER 

Arlesey Town Reserves v Harefield United
Brimsdown v Risborough Rangers
Buckingham Athletic v Harpenden Town
Chesham United Reserves v Ampthill Town
Kensington Borough v Hatfield Town
Langford v Codicote
Wodson Park v Winslow United

TUESDAY 25th OCTOBER
*subject to Buildbase FA Vase replays
Baldock Town v Risborough Rangers

SATURDAY 29th OCTOBER
Ampthill Town v Codicote 
Arlesey Town Reserves v Kensington Borough 
Bedford v Langford 
Broadfields United v Risborough Rangers 
Hadley Wood & Wingate v Baldock Town 
Harpenden Town v Chesham United Reserves 
Hatfield Town v Southall 
Hillingdon Borough v Buckingham Athletic 
Winslow United v Harefield United 
Wodson Park v Brimsdown