Having been fortunate enough to get to both Bedfordshire Senior Trophy semi-finals last month, it felt right that I made the trip over to The Eyrie for the final on Tuesday evening. Caldecote AFC and Stotfold Reserves, the teams involved, know each other well having finished first and second, respectively, in the Bedfordshire County Premier League, last season. On the back of that second place, Stotfold gained promotion to Division One of the Spartan South Midlands league, where they are currently sitting comfortably mid-table. The two league meetings last season could have hardly been more contrasting. Stotfold won a 9-goal thriller at Caldecote 5-4 but the reverse fixture, at New Roker Park, ended 0-0.
Despite winning the league last season, Caldecote are not threatening the leaders this term and are currently in 8th spot. They have, however, had a couple of great cup runs, qualifying for tonight's final as well as The Britannia Cup Final, where they will play Cranfield United Reserves at Kempston in May. Instead of re-writing the road to this season's final, just take a look at the excellent information available in the free programme supplied by Beds FA upon entry to the ground. If you do want to read the semi-final match reports, you can check out the BotP match reports Oaks Felled (AFC Oakley 0 Caldecote AFC 2) and Eagles Put Crescents Straight (Stotfold Reserves 2 Queens Park Crescents 0).
Despite winning the league last season, Caldecote are not threatening the leaders this term and are currently in 8th spot. They have, however, had a couple of great cup runs, qualifying for tonight's final as well as The Britannia Cup Final, where they will play Cranfield United Reserves at Kempston in May. Instead of re-writing the road to this season's final, just take a look at the excellent information available in the free programme supplied by Beds FA upon entry to the ground. If you do want to read the semi-final match reports, you can check out the BotP match reports Oaks Felled (AFC Oakley 0 Caldecote AFC 2) and Eagles Put Crescents Straight (Stotfold Reserves 2 Queens Park Crescents 0).
There was a cagey start from both teams, but it was Stotfold who appeared to settle quickest. Caldecote, however, began to play themselves into the match and, by the time we hit the 10 minute mark, the game was very finely balanced. Neither side managed to seriously stress either goalkeeper in the opening 25 minutes, although both managed to create a few half-chances.
This changed after we hit the 28 minute mark when Stotfold came closest so far. Charlie Scott, bursting down the left, struck a low, left-foot effort that flew across the face of goal just wide of the far post. A minute later, as the game began to spark into life, Caldecote's Taz Andrews let fly from outside the box. The ball took nasty skip off the surface in front of Louis O'Neil causing the goalkeeper to fumble the effort. Josh Roberts tried to pounce on the loose ball but was halted by the assistant's flag.
Caldecote were finishing the half the stronger of the two teams and, four minutes later, Andrews was happy to fire goalward again, this time sending his effort skipping wide of O'Neil's right-hand upright. Then, with three minutes remaining, Rafe Goodman climbed highest in the box, but wasn't able to direct his header on target.
HT Caldecote AFC 0 Stotfold Reserves 0. A half as tight as the score line suggests. Stotfold made a strong start, Caldecote finished the better. In between, two good sides battled it out.
This changed after we hit the 28 minute mark when Stotfold came closest so far. Charlie Scott, bursting down the left, struck a low, left-foot effort that flew across the face of goal just wide of the far post. A minute later, as the game began to spark into life, Caldecote's Taz Andrews let fly from outside the box. The ball took nasty skip off the surface in front of Louis O'Neil causing the goalkeeper to fumble the effort. Josh Roberts tried to pounce on the loose ball but was halted by the assistant's flag.
Caldecote were finishing the half the stronger of the two teams and, four minutes later, Andrews was happy to fire goalward again, this time sending his effort skipping wide of O'Neil's right-hand upright. Then, with three minutes remaining, Rafe Goodman climbed highest in the box, but wasn't able to direct his header on target.
HT Caldecote AFC 0 Stotfold Reserves 0. A half as tight as the score line suggests. Stotfold made a strong start, Caldecote finished the better. In between, two good sides battled it out.
Caldecote continued where they left off at the start of the second half, penning Stotfold into their own half early on and looking increasingly dangerous. Only a really good save from Louis O'Neill prevented Jake Bruce from giving Caldecote a 56th minute lead, and it looked more and more as if the Bedfordshire Premier League side were going to break the deadlock first. However, as so often happens in these situations, the goal, when it came, went to Stotfold. The danger looked to have been initially averted when, after Wilcock fed Billy Little, his shot struck the foot of Guiseppe left-hand post and was cleared out of immediate danger. Maybe the Caldecote defence relaxed too early though and, when Charlie Mallett delivered a tantalising cross, top scorer Bobby Wilcock was on hand to fire past Follano. 0-1.
The goal took a lot of the wind out of the Caldecote sails. Suddenly they didn't look as sharp and Stotfold tried to press home their advantage. To their credit, although it took a good 10 minutes, Caldecote shook off their wobbles again, kept Stotfold at bay, and gradually began to wind up their pursuit of an equaliser.
Rafe Woodman struck a 20-yarder just over the bar and, in the 81st minute, they had a very big penalty shout. A swift break down the right ended with the ball being fired into the penalty area, where it appeared to strike the arm of Stotfold captain Harry Buckley. The referee probably didn't have a clear view of the incident because of the speed of the break. The assistant may well have had a clearer view but, even looking directly across at it, it was very difficult to tell where it struck the defender. As they say, I've seen them given but, it would have been a harsh one.
Time was running out on Caldecote now and, after a massive effort throughout, they were probably beginning to tire. The last opportunity of the game went the way of Stotfold, when Mallett struck a drive straight at Follano, when either side may have put the game beyond doubt. In the end, it didn't matter. The referee blew for time and Stotfold Reserves were Bedfordshire Senior Trophy winners, emulating the success of their first team in 2020 and 2022.
FT Caldecote AFC 0 Stotfold Reserves 1. A very hard-fought win for Stotfold, who were pushed all the way by Caldecote. There really was very little to choose between the sides, which is great credit to the Step 7 team.
If you want to see these teams in action, you'll have to wait a little while for Caldecote. They have a Saturday off this weekend, before they travel to Biggleswade United Reserves, who they beat 2-1 earlier in the season. Stotfold, meanwhile, are back in action on Saturday as they welcome Huntingdon Town to New Roker Park. The reverse fixture ended 2-1 to Stotfold, so they'll be looking for a double.
Caldecote AFC:
Stotfold Reserves: O'Neil, Long, Scott, Hector, Buckley(c), Cane, Mallett, Stanton, Wilcock, Little, Mullins. Subs: Bedford, Smith, Rosenwink, Haynes, Fantom
The goal took a lot of the wind out of the Caldecote sails. Suddenly they didn't look as sharp and Stotfold tried to press home their advantage. To their credit, although it took a good 10 minutes, Caldecote shook off their wobbles again, kept Stotfold at bay, and gradually began to wind up their pursuit of an equaliser.
Rafe Woodman struck a 20-yarder just over the bar and, in the 81st minute, they had a very big penalty shout. A swift break down the right ended with the ball being fired into the penalty area, where it appeared to strike the arm of Stotfold captain Harry Buckley. The referee probably didn't have a clear view of the incident because of the speed of the break. The assistant may well have had a clearer view but, even looking directly across at it, it was very difficult to tell where it struck the defender. As they say, I've seen them given but, it would have been a harsh one.
Time was running out on Caldecote now and, after a massive effort throughout, they were probably beginning to tire. The last opportunity of the game went the way of Stotfold, when Mallett struck a drive straight at Follano, when either side may have put the game beyond doubt. In the end, it didn't matter. The referee blew for time and Stotfold Reserves were Bedfordshire Senior Trophy winners, emulating the success of their first team in 2020 and 2022.
FT Caldecote AFC 0 Stotfold Reserves 1. A very hard-fought win for Stotfold, who were pushed all the way by Caldecote. There really was very little to choose between the sides, which is great credit to the Step 7 team.
If you want to see these teams in action, you'll have to wait a little while for Caldecote. They have a Saturday off this weekend, before they travel to Biggleswade United Reserves, who they beat 2-1 earlier in the season. Stotfold, meanwhile, are back in action on Saturday as they welcome Huntingdon Town to New Roker Park. The reverse fixture ended 2-1 to Stotfold, so they'll be looking for a double.
Caldecote AFC:
Stotfold Reserves: O'Neil, Long, Scott, Hector, Buckley(c), Cane, Mallett, Stanton, Wilcock, Little, Mullins. Subs: Bedford, Smith, Rosenwink, Haynes, Fantom
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