Damage in the Box!: BEDWORTH UNITED (The Oval)

A bonus game today. Having previously though my English season of groundhopping was over, I stumbled upon this fixture in the morning. Having assumed most of the play off final had taken place whilst I was out of the country, it was a pleasant surprise to be able to take in a final today.

Bedworth United were taking on Beconsfield SYCOB for the right to play in the Southern Premier League next season. Bedworth finished 3rd in the regular season, beating Uxbridge to reach the final, whilst Beaconsfield came with a late surge to finish 6th then, surprisingly, beating Slough Town in the play off semi final.

Conditions were appalling today as it rained heavily all day, easing off as the game progressed, the pitch looking particularly heavy. However both teams produced an absorbing contest which was a thoroughly enjoyable watch, despite the tension of the occasion.

'The Greenbacks' always looked the more threatening and took the lead after 19 minutes when Ashley Robinson poked home after his initial header was saved. Beaconsfield, however, did look dangerous on the break and they were soon level. After 23 minutes an attempted back header was misjudged by the advancing 'keeper and in the confusion Victor Osubu nipped in to fire home into the unguarded net.

Bedworth restored their lead on the hour when Mitchell Piggon was put through and his low shot flew into the net, via a slight deflection off the lunging defender. Beaconsfield did their best to force extra time but, as they committed men forward, deep into stoppage time, Ashley Spencer was allowed the freedom of the park to run through and seal the victory.

The final whistle sparked a pitch invasion by fans celebrating the fact that the win sealed Bedworth's first ever promotion in their 65 year history.