This Saturday I headed back over to Bedfordshire for another County Premier League game. A few weeks ago I had seen Queens Park Crescents narrowly lose a Senior Trophy semi-final at Stotfold (Eagles Put Crescents Straight). After the game I had a brief correspondence with their social media admin and had resolved to get to one of their home games at some point. The opportunity presented itself this weekend. Crescents were at home to Riseley Sports, giving me the opportunity to get to a new ground and watch a team I hadn't seen before.
Both teams have become permanent fixtures in the Premier League after gaining promotion in back-to-back seasons. Crescents came up in 2017 with Sports following the next season. Since then, including the meeting at Riseley earlier this season, they have met 11 times, Crescents winning 6, Riseley 4, and 1 game has been drawn. Although Crescents have a slightly better record, the game earlier this season was won 3-1 by Riseley.
Today's game, with the end of the season fast approaching, probably held more significance for Queens Park than Riseley. The visitors came into the game in 9th position, reasonably safe from danger but not within striking distance of the top. Crescents started the day in 5th spot, 10 points behind leaders AFC Oakley. However, they still had 10 games, including today's, left to play and had two games in hand on the leaders. With a visit to Oakley scheduled for April 19th, Crescents could not be counted out of the title race. Consequently, three points today was imperative for them.
Both teams have become permanent fixtures in the Premier League after gaining promotion in back-to-back seasons. Crescents came up in 2017 with Sports following the next season. Since then, including the meeting at Riseley earlier this season, they have met 11 times, Crescents winning 6, Riseley 4, and 1 game has been drawn. Although Crescents have a slightly better record, the game earlier this season was won 3-1 by Riseley.
Today's game, with the end of the season fast approaching, probably held more significance for Queens Park than Riseley. The visitors came into the game in 9th position, reasonably safe from danger but not within striking distance of the top. Crescents started the day in 5th spot, 10 points behind leaders AFC Oakley. However, they still had 10 games, including today's, left to play and had two games in hand on the leaders. With a visit to Oakley scheduled for April 19th, Crescents could not be counted out of the title race. Consequently, three points today was imperative for them.
Crescents looking for a breakthrough Scrappy is the only way to describe the opening 30 minutes. The wind didn't help at all, gusting unpredictably across the pitch. Crescents had the wind behind them in the first half, but it didn't appear to be much of an advantage, making through balls almost impossible to judge. If anything, Riseley had the better of the opening encounters, stringing a few passes together, but not managing to pose any serious threat on goal.
In fact, neither goalkeeper was unduly stressed until the 36th minute when, following a half-clearance from a Crescents attack, the ball fell to Towheed Sharafuddin some 25 yards out. The diminutive winger steadied himself before unleashing a fizzing, low strike that looked destined for the bottom corner. However, visiting goalkeeper George Austin had other ideas, throwing himself full-length to his right to get the merest of fingertips to the ball, sending it against the foot of the upright. An excellent save.
That was as close as either team managed in the first-half. James Cooke sent a looping header a few feet over the home bar in the closing minutes of the half, but referee Luke Damon closed proceedings with the game still scoreless.
HT Queens Park Crescents 0 Riseley Sports 0. A very disjointed half of football, with little goalmouth action. The conditions weren't helping either team, who appeared to be very evenly matched. It was hard to call which way the game would go after the break.
In fact, neither goalkeeper was unduly stressed until the 36th minute when, following a half-clearance from a Crescents attack, the ball fell to Towheed Sharafuddin some 25 yards out. The diminutive winger steadied himself before unleashing a fizzing, low strike that looked destined for the bottom corner. However, visiting goalkeeper George Austin had other ideas, throwing himself full-length to his right to get the merest of fingertips to the ball, sending it against the foot of the upright. An excellent save.
That was as close as either team managed in the first-half. James Cooke sent a looping header a few feet over the home bar in the closing minutes of the half, but referee Luke Damon closed proceedings with the game still scoreless.
HT Queens Park Crescents 0 Riseley Sports 0. A very disjointed half of football, with little goalmouth action. The conditions weren't helping either team, who appeared to be very evenly matched. It was hard to call which way the game would go after the break.
Fariad (hidden) converts from the spot Crescents set about their task with renewed vigour after the break and, within a minute of the restart, got their noses in front. Captain Fabio Sattar, after seeing one effort blocked, drilled a shot on target that Austin got a hand to but couldn't keep out. 1-0. The shot was hit well enough but the visitor's keeper will probably feel her should have done better.
It was just what the home side needed and they immediately set about consolidating their advantage. However, Riseley dug in, making it difficult for them. One goal never looked to be enough and, although Riseley weren't posing too much threat, they had already shown that they had the ability to punish Crescents given the opportunity.
It was, however, the home side who looked the more potent now. Vinay Sidar cut in from the left just past the hour, but failed to control his strike, sending it high and wide. Then goal-scorer Sattar sent a skidding left-foot effort narrowly wide of Austin's left-hand post, as the home team began to wind up the pressure on Sports.
With 20 minutes remaining Crescents were presented with the opportunity to seal the points when the referee blew for a spot-kick following a foul on Sharafuddin. The visitors were not convinced and, I have to say, from my vantage point (admittedly 80 yards away) it did look to be a harsh decision. Nevertheless, referee Damon had a much closer and clearer view. Penalty it was, and Haseeb Fariad made no mistake from 12 yards. 2-0
A few minutes later, with confidence now flowing, Crescents produced their best move of the game, cutting through the visitors with a series of passes, only for Mohammed Omar's curling effort to fly just over the bar.
Inside the final 10 minutes homer keeper Mohammed Abbass came out of his area to clear a long ball but only succeeded in sending it straight to Josh Poole on the halfway line. With the keeper well out of his ground, Poole attempted to send the ball straight back over the keeper but, unfortunately for Sports, the effort also cleared the home crossbar. Well worth an effort though. Then, in the closing minutes, Sports came as close as they had all match when Matt Smith's tempting cross was met by the head of substitute James Oates, who was unlucky to see is attempt come back off the bar.
FT Queens Park Crescents 2 Riseley Sports 0. Certainly not the prettiest game of football but, at this point in the season, the three points are that really matter. Crescents remain in fifth and 10 points adrift of the leaders, after Oakley won 9-2 at Shefford Town & Campton Reserves. With at least four teams still in the running, the title race could go down to the wire. Riseley drop to 11th spot but still have a six-point advantage on second-bottom Biggleswade Reserves. On Wednesday evening Crescents welcome bottom side Flitwick Town to Allen Park, having already won 1-0 at Flitwick back in February. On Saturday they are also at home as 6th placed Elstow Abbey come to town. Crescents won 4-2 at Elstow in early February. Meanwhile, Riseley visit Totternhoe Reserves, who are one place and one point above them, next weekend. Riseley won the reverse fixture 5-0.
Queens Park Crescents: 1.Abbass, 15. Aqeeb, 22.Sharafuddin, 5.Rakhman, 16.Zahar, 6.F.Sattar(c), 7.Iqbal, 4.Fariad, 2.Yousaf, 12.S.Sattar, 8.Boxall. Subs: 11.Sidar, 24.Amadi, 9.Omar
Riseley Sports: 1.Austin, 2.Keech, 4.Cooper, 3.Hislop, 7.Willett, 8.Simmons, 15.Crook(c), 5.Poole, 10.Taylor, 17.Cooke, 11.Smith. Subs: 12.Oates, 18.Curry, 16.Griffiths, 6.Copley
It was just what the home side needed and they immediately set about consolidating their advantage. However, Riseley dug in, making it difficult for them. One goal never looked to be enough and, although Riseley weren't posing too much threat, they had already shown that they had the ability to punish Crescents given the opportunity.
It was, however, the home side who looked the more potent now. Vinay Sidar cut in from the left just past the hour, but failed to control his strike, sending it high and wide. Then goal-scorer Sattar sent a skidding left-foot effort narrowly wide of Austin's left-hand post, as the home team began to wind up the pressure on Sports.
With 20 minutes remaining Crescents were presented with the opportunity to seal the points when the referee blew for a spot-kick following a foul on Sharafuddin. The visitors were not convinced and, I have to say, from my vantage point (admittedly 80 yards away) it did look to be a harsh decision. Nevertheless, referee Damon had a much closer and clearer view. Penalty it was, and Haseeb Fariad made no mistake from 12 yards. 2-0
A few minutes later, with confidence now flowing, Crescents produced their best move of the game, cutting through the visitors with a series of passes, only for Mohammed Omar's curling effort to fly just over the bar.
Inside the final 10 minutes homer keeper Mohammed Abbass came out of his area to clear a long ball but only succeeded in sending it straight to Josh Poole on the halfway line. With the keeper well out of his ground, Poole attempted to send the ball straight back over the keeper but, unfortunately for Sports, the effort also cleared the home crossbar. Well worth an effort though. Then, in the closing minutes, Sports came as close as they had all match when Matt Smith's tempting cross was met by the head of substitute James Oates, who was unlucky to see is attempt come back off the bar.
FT Queens Park Crescents 2 Riseley Sports 0. Certainly not the prettiest game of football but, at this point in the season, the three points are that really matter. Crescents remain in fifth and 10 points adrift of the leaders, after Oakley won 9-2 at Shefford Town & Campton Reserves. With at least four teams still in the running, the title race could go down to the wire. Riseley drop to 11th spot but still have a six-point advantage on second-bottom Biggleswade Reserves. On Wednesday evening Crescents welcome bottom side Flitwick Town to Allen Park, having already won 1-0 at Flitwick back in February. On Saturday they are also at home as 6th placed Elstow Abbey come to town. Crescents won 4-2 at Elstow in early February. Meanwhile, Riseley visit Totternhoe Reserves, who are one place and one point above them, next weekend. Riseley won the reverse fixture 5-0.
Queens Park Crescents: 1.Abbass, 15. Aqeeb, 22.Sharafuddin, 5.Rakhman, 16.Zahar, 6.F.Sattar(c), 7.Iqbal, 4.Fariad, 2.Yousaf, 12.S.Sattar, 8.Boxall. Subs: 11.Sidar, 24.Amadi, 9.Omar
Riseley Sports: 1.Austin, 2.Keech, 4.Cooper, 3.Hislop, 7.Willett, 8.Simmons, 15.Crook(c), 5.Poole, 10.Taylor, 17.Cooke, 11.Smith. Subs: 12.Oates, 18.Curry, 16.Griffiths, 6.Copley
The pavilion at Allen Park
The Ground
Allen Park is a large multi-sport complex situated to the West of Bedford town centre, in the Queens Park district, a wonderfully diverse, multi-cultural area. Aside from the football pitches, the park is also the home to two cricket squares, tennis courts and a children's play area. Just to the North of the park is the Bedford Sports & Hockey Centre which has a number of grass and all-weather pitches. There appear to be two car park, one the North and ne to the South of the park. However, it was hard to ascertain if the one to the North was purely for the Hockey club. There are a few "private parking" notices scattered around. However, the one to the South, on Old Ford End Road, is free and has the advantage of being alongside the Crescent's first team pitch.
There is a pavilion that houses the changing areas for players and officials. This looks out on both main pitches, one lengthways north to south and the other at 90 degrees, in front of the car park. The main pitch doesn't have a slope but, as a community space, did look to be a little bumpy in places. That's no fault of the club, just a downside to playing in a public space. The upside, however, is that the pitch is part of the community and that was certainly a feeling that came across at Allen Park.
I'll go back to this ground at some point, no doubt. It had a good feel to it. There was a decent turnout of support, including lots of youngsters, which should mean a thriving future for the club. Good to see.
Ground Number: 444
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
Allen Park is a large multi-sport complex situated to the West of Bedford town centre, in the Queens Park district, a wonderfully diverse, multi-cultural area. Aside from the football pitches, the park is also the home to two cricket squares, tennis courts and a children's play area. Just to the North of the park is the Bedford Sports & Hockey Centre which has a number of grass and all-weather pitches. There appear to be two car park, one the North and ne to the South of the park. However, it was hard to ascertain if the one to the North was purely for the Hockey club. There are a few "private parking" notices scattered around. However, the one to the South, on Old Ford End Road, is free and has the advantage of being alongside the Crescent's first team pitch.
There is a pavilion that houses the changing areas for players and officials. This looks out on both main pitches, one lengthways north to south and the other at 90 degrees, in front of the car park. The main pitch doesn't have a slope but, as a community space, did look to be a little bumpy in places. That's no fault of the club, just a downside to playing in a public space. The upside, however, is that the pitch is part of the community and that was certainly a feeling that came across at Allen Park.
I'll go back to this ground at some point, no doubt. It had a good feel to it. There was a decent turnout of support, including lots of youngsters, which should mean a thriving future for the club. Good to see.
Ground Number: 444
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
Sports tried to rally late on
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