A CRUCIAL WIN FOR BIGGLESWADE FC IN THE SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER TITLE RACE

Biggleswade FC v Hadley on Tuesday evening saw 4th v 2nd in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division and what a game it was between two very good sides. With six points separating the sides prior to kick off the result was always going to have a big bearing on the race to finish top of the division. A fantastic crowd of 165 people were present at Langford Road on a chilly evening to see Biggleswade FC very impressive and playing the best football in the first half. 

They took the lead via a delfected Alex Marsh shot which crept into the corner of the net on 20 minutes. The home side deserved the lead as they had had two good chances from Lee Northfield and Ryan Inskip prior to the goal. 

It was 2-0 on 28 minutes when Alex Marsh put in Tom Coles whose low shot was well saved by Luke Ward in the Hadley goal only for Northfield to score with the follow up. 

LUKE WARD'S AMAZING SAVE (PICTURES TAKEN FROM FOOTAGE WHICH CAN BE FOUND BELOW)

Just prior to this Ward had made a world class save right out of the top drawer which has been viewed on social media over 7,000 times at the current time of writing. After some near interchange passing Adam Hunt curled a shot with the outside of boot which was heading right for the top corner only for Ward to dive and incredibly reach to expertly deflect the shot onto the angle of post and bar. Some people present at the game described it as the best save they had seen in a game live and looking at it I can't disagree. 

FC goalkeeper Ross Tompkins then got in on the act and tipped over a shot from just inside the box prior to the half time break. 

The second half was more of a level affair with both keepers making some more fantastic saves but it was Biggleswade who held on for what could be a vital three points in the title race. Hadley were backed by a good following of away supporters who had made the trip up the A1 from Brickfield Lane. 

The home side's man of the match was awarded to their goalkeeper Ross Tompkins but there could of been many more players given the award. Alex Marsh has had a terrific season for FC - his pace, work rate and movement especially going forward is very eye catching and I predict he will play much higher up the football pyramid over the next few seasons. His goal scoring record for a midfielder is second to none - He has hit the net 23 times so far in the 2018/19 campaign. 

The home side's centre back pairing of Benat Pena (who I have mentioned before) and Nick Henebery were excellent throughout the game also. 

The win put's FC three points off the top spot with three games in hand over Hadley and two games in hand over Tring Athletic. The game next Tuesday evening between Biggleswade and Tring is eagerly anticipated by many non-league football fans in the local area. Before that FC host London Colney tomorrow with Athletic at home to North Greenford United and Hadley having a tough looking trip to fifth placed Baldock Town. 

MINI HIGHLIGHTS (2 minutes)

FULL HIGHLIGHTS (23 minutes) 

LUKE WARD'S AMAZING SAVE