Freshfield 3-2 Bedford Rangers
24th November 2002
It took Freshfield 3 seasons in the Second Division to get the better of Bedford Rangers Reserves, but they managed to beat the First XI, last year's Division One Champions at the first attempt. With a performance that showed a dramatic improvement on recent weeks, a rearranged midfield took control from the start and held solid throughout. Dave Brooks, back from injury, and John Armstrong, in his finest performance for the club, provided a solid base in the centre of midfield from which the team was able to resume a more fluid passing game. Freshfield took the lead in the opening minutes when Dave Brooks got his head to a well struck Brian McGlynn corner and Geoff Booker crashed home the lose ball from 6 yards. Bedford equalised within minutes when their strong centre-forward was allowed to run at the home defence and scored well just inside the box. The remainder of the half was an evenly fought affair, though the best chance fell to Bedford, when the ball broke lose from a corner and Nigel Power did well to turn the ensuing shot onto a post. Although Freshfield produced some neat passing moves, they lacked width and their shots were restricted to long-range efforts, the most notable of which came from a left-footed and slightly scuffed Dave Brooks effort which still needed a smart save from the 'keeper.
Freshfield started the second-half as they did the first, with a goal. This time McGlynn was found in space in open play and his turn of speed down the right wing allowed him to send in a dangerous cross which Tony Lynch struck home with the sweetest of right-foot shots. His performance, as ever, was full of running but this goal showed that his talent is not out of depth at this level. Bedford again responded quickly, this time with an excellent shot from 20 yards which bent its way to the bottom corner. In recent weeks, that equaliser might have signalled a collapse in the home side's confidence. Something about this week's performance made that prospect seem unlikely in the extreme. Bedford's lively number 10 raced goalwards only to have his shot remarkably saved off the line by the ever-assured Mike Kemp. The same forward tumbled more in hope than expectation under a Chris Balshaw challenge ten minutes later, but Balshaw collected the ball and set off a move that once more had McGlynn playing a prominent role. His run into the box was thwarted, but the ball broke to Lynch who calmly slotted the ball home, this time with his left foot.
As Bedford pressed for an equaliser Freshfield looked increasingly dangerous on the break, and Lynch had two good chances to claim his hat-trick. Damian Nolan and Paul Hayes, an unlikely but increasingly confident pairing at centre-half, contained a dangerous attack for most of this match and deserve full credit for their performances. Although out of position, Tommy Smith's performance on the left side of midfield was full of industry and this was a performance of which Freshfield can be justifiably proud. Complacency, however, would be dangerous, especially as Bedford will have the opportunity to gain their revenge as soon as next week when the return fixture is played at Carr Lane.
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Team
Nigel Power |
Subs not used
Manager's Man of the Match
Player's Man of the Match
Supporter's Man of the Match
Attendance |