A last minute Biggleswade penalty on Boxing Day denied Bedford Town a first win in three games in what has been a frustrating time for the still unbeaten Eagles in Southern League Central Division One.
Coupled with a goalless draw at Barton Rovers in the game before, Lee Bircham’s side have not won in three although no one has yet to beat his team in the league.
Barton Rovers did well to keep Town at bay for ninety minutes, with chances for Adam Watkins and Lynton Goss going astray for the visitors in the first half.
The Eagles looked like they would mainly threaten from set pieces, and this continued into the second half, with Alex Collard earning a decent chance from a corner but he couldn’t convert.
Bedford had a good chance late on when Louis Walsh went on a signature run down the wing and cut the ball back to Ryan Blake, but his effort was sent over the bar as the game ended in a stalemate.
Last minute Marsh pen denies Eagles
The Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw with Biggleswade FC in the battle of the Eyrie on Boxing Day as goals from Ryan Blake and Carl Mensah looked to gain Bedford Town all three points before a late penalty from Biggleswade FC secured a dramatic draw.
Bedford almost took the lead early on against their tenants, when Louis Walsh went on one of his trademark runs down the wing and cut the ball back to Ryan Blake, but the striker didn’t anticipate this as it hit him, and the ball was gathered by the goalkeeper.
Biggleswade had a great chance to go ahead soon after when Amaru Kaunda received the ball on the edge of the box but his effort somehow went wide, and the score stayed level.
In the thirty-third minute, Bedford won a penalty and Ryan Blake stepped up to take and easily converted for the Eagles with the scoreline remaining just that at the break.
Biggleswade were now piling the pressure on and should’ve levelled the game after Charlie Hayford’s effort, but Mark Smith was there to save the Eagles.
Soon enough, the tenants did find an equaliser as Rio Martucci Bedingfield bundled home a leveller.
Minutes later, the Eagles were back ahead. A cross in was headed into the danger zone and Carl Mensah was there to place the ball into the back of the net to put Bedford back ahead.
Late on, Biggleswade FC were awarded a penalty and Alexander Marsh stepped up and nonchalantly chipped it down the middle to level the game late on.
The Eagles remain unbeaten in the league, three points ahead of North Leigh but with a key game in hand with Biggleswade Town up next on New Year’s Day.
Written by Zac Neal and Edited by Tom Carr
