Bedford Town lost on Merseyside for the second time in seven days as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Marine in National League North on Saturday (23 August).
Hopes were high following the Eagles’ first league victory against AFC Telford on Tuesday night (19 August), but goals from Ashley Hunter and Josh Wardle for Marine were enough to ensure all three points stayed in the north west on Saturday.
Read: Nine-man Bedford Town gain first win with gutsy triumph over Telford
Both sides began the day in the National League North top ten after solid starts to their respective league seasons, and both began this clash quickly, with two of the game’s three goals coming in the first ten minutes.
It took just five minutes for Marine to break the deadlock as Wardle – who would later score the winner – was provider for the first as his deep cross was volleyed in by Ashley Hunter at the back post.
That advantage lasted a total of three minutes as Ellis Brown found the back of the net for the second time in as many games as he latched on to a Shaun Jeffers pass to stroke home an equaliser, in similar fashion to his goal on Tuesday night.
A last ditch tackle from Claude Kayibanda denied Finlay Sinclair-Smith a golden opportunity shortly after, before efforts from in-form, Tyrone Marsh and Jeffers were kept out by Spinelli in the home goal.
Wardle winner wins it
Lee Bircham’s side were creating chances; Marsh once again denied by Spinelli before a long Sam Brown throw was just about kept from going over the Marine goal line, but it was the home side who critically struck next.
A free kick from the left drifted to the back post to find an unmarked Wardle to nod home and give his side a 2-1 half-time lead, but there was still time for controversy as a Bedford Town equaliser was ruled out for offside with the last attack of the half.
It was a half-time whistle which was delayed for almost ten minutes due to a lengthy injury stoppage for George Newell, but manager, Bircham would have been pleased with his side’s efforts in a frantic first forty five minutes.
Bedford Town also had the majority of the chances in the second half; Ellis Brown forcing Spinelli into another save as the Marine shot stopper tipped his effort over the bar, before palming away a Junior Gyamfi strike.
Spinelli was also on hand to deny Josh Tomlinson’s flick and a late header from Marsh, but the Merseysiders would hold on to claim a 2-1 win, their third victory in four league games after earlier beating Buxton and Merthyr Town.
For the Eagles, the challenge doesn’t get any easier as they have 48 hours to regroup and welcome early league leaders, South Shields to The Eyrie, a side who lead National League North with four wins from four.
