AUGUST 2017 & PETERBOROUGH SPORTS STRIKE LATE TO BEAT BEDWORTH UNITED 2-0...

 Greenbacks Beaten By Gow-Jones Index…

Peterborough Sports 2-0 Bedworth United

This untidy contest was won by the league’s newcomers with two goals in the final few moments, condemning Bedworth to a disheartening defeat. True, home ‘keeper Aaron Butcher saved well from United replacement Dom Perkins’ header near the end of the game, albeit before Peterborough struck twice but the ‘keeper of the Turbines had rarely been called upon with any real urgency prior to that. In comparison, visiting ‘keeper James Martin made three decent saves, two in the opening period and one in between the two goals. Yet despite all the physicality, the scrappiness, the energy expounded, the bouts of crude head-tennis, the tendency to play long balls and the periods of inaccurate passing, there were moments of pure tedium to endure too…

Really then, this was not a good match to watch and although the last five minutes were worthy for the goals, a Martin save and a couple of desperate but vain last gasp attacks by the struggling Greenbacks, one simply could not seem to forget what should have been entirely forgettable. In truth, the Turbines were without eight first-teamers, according to their manager Jimmy Dean and so to win this encounter was a real triumph for Sports, of that there can be no doubt. The victory means seven points from a possible nine for Peterborough in league play and no goals conceded. A late equaliser in the FA Cup at Eynesbury last Saturday had been followed by two late goals to win the replay on Tuesday and typically the ‘late goals syndrome’ would return to haunt the Bedworth visitors too during this sun-drenched game. 

Both teams relied upon strong defenders to bolster their unwillingness to give much away, so that home central defenders Liam Marshall and Josh Sanders rose to the challenge well and ex-Coalville standout Jamie McAteer was a powerhouse aerially for Bedworth. Midfield became a mire of a battle though until crucially home schemer Dan Lawlor finally began to affect the match near the end. Little was seen of the rapid Kai Williams in the United attack until he left the field immediately following the half-time break, although in fairness his partner Levi Rowley had worked courageously and tirelessly but with limp support, although Elliot Parrott was able to make some eager supporting runs for Bedworth on occasions.

Rowley was involved in an altercation I think with home left-back David Cobb, who was steady and reliable for the hosts, but surely I didn’t really see the flick of a fist from the Greenback? Surely not… No caution resulted for either player anyway.

McGeorge and Webb looked similar, like a pair of characters in a fantasy movie, whose remit was to collect money from folks in debt but Bedworth finally came alive when McAteer back-headed a cross towards Reece Blackmore, whose 20 yard volley rose like a field-goal attempt by the Green Bay Packers’ kicker.

First Tom Sharpe of Bedworth jumped and blocked a booted ball by Sports with a loudly slapping palm and conceded, er, a throw-in, then he was involved again, as Moreman nudged him from behind to disable his movement to clear the ball, which only the smirking Moreman’s mates on the touchline saw. Oh, and I saw it too.

The interval arrived and I felt pleased that at least it hadn’t rained, for the pleasant weather was decent to watch football in, although the entertainment at Parkway had been rather limited thus far.

Parrott recycled the ball following a long throw from the United right and Smith crossed into the 6 yard box where Perkins rose above Gow to power a header goalwards but Butcher leapt smartly to turn the effort over his crossbar with a meaty hand. And then Lawlor took the game into his own capable hands, first delivering a dangerous free-kick to assist Jones’ opening goal on 87 minutes and then after Blackmore’s header from Parrott’s delivery was collected by Butcher and Lawlor had engineered a chance for Moreman, the Sports number 8 made all the running to allow the latest home substitute Jamie Graham to assist Gow and settle the match in favour of the Turbines.

Finally, with time running out a left-flank free-kick by Lawlor saw Jones rise to beat Cartwright in the air, as well as Martin, who had lunged off his goal-line to attempt a punch and the glanced header seared into the right side of the net.

JONES GLANCES HOME HIS HEADER...

JOY...

Lawlor then broke up a Greenback attack in midfield and with sparse cover, for McAteer had been pushed forward into a forward role, Bedworth were caught on a really effective Turbine break. Lawler took the ball out to the left flank and exchanged a pass with Jones, before slipping a pass towards Graham in the centre and the replacement calmly fed the ball right for Gow to get beyond Perkins and fire in a low drive which beat Martin at his near post, who had possibly anticipated a shot aimed across him. 2-0, game decided and shrieks of acclaim rang out from the home dugout…  

LAWLER ASSISTS GOW...

...WHO SHOOTS ACROSS MARTIN...

...TO SETTLE THE MATCH...

Cobb and Dan Buccierro had been lively in the full-back positions for the hosts but Marshall and Sanders had remained steadfast until the end in centre-defence and the tenacity of McGeorge and Webb in midfield had allowed Lawlor to be creative in those closing moments for his team. Bedworth had certainly been resolute in defence but although Mark Albrighton and McAteer had performed with laudable gusto for the visitors in defence, Blackmore and Blythe in midfield had been unable to serve forwards Rowley and Williams as regularly or as clinically as they would surely have hoped.

Three important points for the Turbines, who powered to a strong finish during this messy game which really did cry out for a Messi during the match, who would net twice for Barcelona at Alavés, just after this contest had ended in Peterborough…  

THE BODGING APPEARS TO CONSIDER HIMSELF 'PRESS' THESE DAYS...

TEAMS:

PETERBOROUGH SPORTS:

AARON BUTCHER, DAN BUCCIERRO, DAVID COBB, JOSH SANDERS, LIAM MARSHALL, LEWIS WEBB (CAPT), ROGAN McGEORGE, DAN LAWLOR, STUART EASON, AVELINO VIERA, JOSH MOREMAN.

SUBS:

JAMIE GRAHAM, JOSH McCAMMON, CAMERON GOW, MARK JONES, JAMES CONNELL.

BEDWORTH UNITED:

JAMES MARTIN, RYAN SMITH, LUKE ROWE, ELLIOTT PARROTT, JAMIE McATEER, TOM SHARPE, MARK ALBRIGHTON, REECE BLACKMORE, LEVI ROWLEY, KAI WILLIAMS, RICHARD BLYTHE (CAPT).

SUBS:

DOM PERKINS, KYLE CARTWIGHT, IYSEDEN CHRISTIE, JACKSON DOWNIE, RICARDO DUDLEY.