THE LUCKS JUST NOT IN FOR BEDFORD AS WODSON PARK COLLECT ALL THREE POINTS

THE ENTRANCE TO McMULLEN PARK IN THE DISTANCE WITH THE TURNSTILES AT BEDFORD TOWN'S GROUND TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE

OVER THE FENCE - THE VIEW TOWARDS BEDFORD TOWN

THE ENTRANCE TO THE McMULLEN PARK CHANGING ROOMS ON THE RIGHT WITH THE STANDS OF THE EYRIE IN THE DISTANCE

Bedford FC were in nineteenth place of the Spartan South Midlands League Division One going in to today's game with eigth placed Wodson Park and had won only four of their ninteeen games played. They had drawn 3-3 with Brimsdown in their last league game where the team just below them in the league scoring a penalty to nick a point in the last minute of the match. 

For those of you who are reading this who haven't visited Bedford's McMullen Park it is bang next door to "The Eyrie" which is the home of Bedford Town who play two steps above their neighbours in the Evo Stik Southern League Division One (Central). They were also at home today against Fleet Town. The two grounds are definitely closer than the more famous Tannadice and Dens Park of Dundee United and Dundee. 

So last week Bedford had conceded a last minute equaliser and this week luck wasn't on their side either as after only a few minutes they were reduced to ten men when the referee sent off their Captain for what he adjudged to be a deliberate handball - Regular readers of The Cold End will know I am certainly not one to criticise or knock referees as we all know what a difficult job they have and without them there would be no game but I'm sure if the official looks back on this one he'll have to consider that is was ridiculously harsh or maybe even incorrect. As you'll see the player has his back turned towards the ball and clearly doesn't handball it intentionally - It was ball to arm and which made no movement towards the ball. The real kick in the teeth for Bedford was that Wodson Park duly scored the penalty kick given to make it 0-1. The below photographs are stills from the footage I took....have a look at the video from 0m 30secs for the incident in full and slow motion replay. Again we have the luxury of the replay the man-in-the-middle had a split second decision to make. 

THE BALL IS PLAYED IN FROM WODSON PLAYER...

...AND DOES MAKE CONTACT WITH PLAYER'S ARM....

...AND BOUNCES DOWN...

HARSH RED CARD OR CORRECT DECISION?

Wodson's second was scored a short while later when after a great run down the left wing the ball was put across the box for the player to easily score and hit the back of the net - it did go in even though I didn't capture that but on camera. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 
including "that red card decision" from 0m 30secs



Credit must go to Bedford who despite being down to 10 men were probably the better side in the second half even if they didn't work the Wodson goal-keeper as much as they'd liked to have done. They had a glorious chance to score when their player received the ball directly in front of goal from a free kick and blazed the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score - as stated when your lucks in it's in and when it's out...it certainly is out!

A GREAT SEASON SO FAR FOR WODSON PARK 

WODSON PARK'S MIDFIELDER PABLO ARDILIES ON THE BALL - A REAL LOCAL FOOTBALL LEGEND HAVING REPRESENTED HODDESDON TOWN, HERTFORD TOWN, WELWYN GARDEN CITY AND ST MARGARETSBURY AMONGST OTHER C LUBS

Wodson dug in, defended well and recorded a decent 0-2 away-day victory to move them into sixth place in the table. They were promoted to Division One in 2010 and have so far finished 14th, 16th, 18th, 17th, 16th and last season in 6th place - If they finish higher than 6th this season everyone associated with the club will be very pleased indeed. 

THE BEDFORD PLAYER'S GROUP TOGETHER AFTER THE GAME - THEIR SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE IS  SOMETHING TO BUILD ON

For a view from the other side of the fence at The Eyrie please see The Cold End's visit in 2011 where Bedford Town Reserves played Bedford FC in a seven goal thriller.