Bedford Town boss, Lee Bircham admitted his team were “second best” after a sub par showing against fellow National League North strugglers, Worksop Town as they lost 2-0 at The Eyrie on Tuesday night (10 March).
Goals from birthday boy, Aleksandrs Starcenko and new signing, Liam Waldock either side of half-time were enough to down the toothless Eagles, who now sit five points above the drop zone in 19th.
The Bedford Town manager admitted his team looked “tired”, after an abject showing against a “well drilled” Worksop side who were well worth their three points.
Mason O’Malley’s early effort was a warning shot for the Eagles, and Worksop were deservedly ahead after 15 minutes.
Vaughan Redford was released down the left channel by Lewis Whitham and proceeded to drift into the box, setting up an unmarked Starcenko who finished with the outside of his boot.
Bedford’s only real threat of the half came from Ellis Brown, whose low cross was spilt by Worksop keeper, Forshaw but with no Bedford player following up, they were left to rue their lack of cutting edge as they went into the break a goal down.
Waldock stunner seals the deal
Whitham opened the second period with a pair of shots; the first of which found the roof of the net before Ashmore comfortably dealt with the second as the visitors continued to press forward.
George Moncur, whose loan at The Eyrie until the end of the season was confirmed before kick off, came close for Bedford but his effort was crucially deflected behind by visiting captain, Luke Waterfall, before Marsh sent an effort well wide as the Eagles began to find opportunities.
It was Worksop who would see the best of the goalmouth action however, as Latvian midfielder Starcenko was denied a second thanks to an excellent save from Ashmore.
The much-loved Bedford goalkeeper could do nothing about Worksop’s next foray on goal however, as Worksop sealed the three points thanks to a stunning effort from debutant, Waldock.
The Boston United loanee was the beneficiary of another combination from Whitham and Redford, finding himself on the edge of the area and firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
It capped a miserable night for Bedford Town, who now must regroup ahead of a tricky home fixture against Radcliffe this coming Saturday (14 March), although they themselves are in poor form, having dropped out of the play-off places after picking up just one point from their last four games.
“No complaints”
“[I’ve got] no complaints with the result, but I’ve got complaints with us”, said manager Bircham after the game.
“We didn’t win our headers and we didn’t win our seconds. I thought we looked weak in those areas, when we haven’t been of late.
“Maybe I got it wrong, I didn’t freshen it up as much as I should have done. We’ve been playing the same team a lot and they looked tired.
“Worksop did well, they did a proper job on us.
“I thought Ash [Ashmore] was excellent. There are three boys in there who are having a go. Ash, Castiglione and Marsh. The rest need to have a look at themselves tonight because that isn’t good enough.”
The result looks a touch more disappointing given other teams in the National League North relegation battle picked up points.
A resurgent Hereford won their third game in four with a 5-1 thrashing of Leamington, who look like the only team from a possible eight who are already condemned to relegation back to step three.
Southport’s victory at home to Spennymoor take them up to 16th, while Oxford City, Alfreton and King’s Lynn all picked up a point. Peterborough Sports, who are in dire form, were the only other team to lose towards the bottom after a 4-0 humbling at Kidderminster.
All of the aforementioned teams – apart from Southport – also have games in hand over Lee Bircham’s side, with 21st-placed Hereford a full seven games behind, and in excellent form, while Alfreton in 22nd have five games to catch up on.
Bedford Town’s next National League North game against Radcliffe at The Eyrie kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 14 March.
