This weekend was the opening day of the Bedfordshire County League, a league that I have dipped into a few times before. One game caught my eye and it also gave me a chance to visit one of the teams I had not managed to visit before, Flitwick Town. Their opponents were Riseley Sports, who I had seen play before, just last March. On that day, Sports were defeated 2-0 at Queens Park Crescents at Allen Park (Crescents On The Rise).
One of the reasons the fixture caught my eye was that I wanted to see how Flitwick would respond to their escape from relegation last season. Despite finishing bottom of the pile, they were offered a stay of execution after Crawley Green Development moved over to the Spartan League Reserves division.
Whilst last season Riseley did the double over Flitwick, winning 4-1 at home and 3-2 in this fixture, the six fixtures prior to that have been very even, with tow wins each and two draws.
Thanks to referee Stephen Quirke and the Riseley coaches for sharing the team sheets with me prior to the game. Much appreciated.
One of the reasons the fixture caught my eye was that I wanted to see how Flitwick would respond to their escape from relegation last season. Despite finishing bottom of the pile, they were offered a stay of execution after Crawley Green Development moved over to the Spartan League Reserves division.
Whilst last season Riseley did the double over Flitwick, winning 4-1 at home and 3-2 in this fixture, the six fixtures prior to that have been very even, with tow wins each and two draws.
Thanks to referee Stephen Quirke and the Riseley coaches for sharing the team sheets with me prior to the game. Much appreciated.
Riseley (yellow) attacking the 3G end Within two minutes of the start of this game, Flitwick had done their best to banish the woes of last season, taking the lead with practically their first attack. It was a goal of some simplicity. Luke Witham spotted the run of Daniel Ruddick and lofted a pass through the centre of the Sports defence for the striker. He took a touch to control, before slotting the finish under Ryan Willison. 1-0
A few minutes later it could easily have been two when a Riseley back pass was left a little short. Willison came out and managed to get something on the ball which span into the air. However, with the keeper stranded the follow-up attempt at goal was headed off the line by a covering defender.
That let-off seemed to spark some life into the visitors and within three minutes they had pulled themselves level. The goal was made through a series of sharp quality passes that moved Sports from deep inside their own half into Flitwick territory. The final pass up the right flank gave Freddie Spavins the opportunity to show his pace and strength. He shrugged off a challenge for a defender before driving the ball low across the face of goal into the far corner. 1-1. Spavins power and pace was an ongoing cause of concern for Flitwick. The striker's stature and style of paly brings to mind a non-league version of Erland Haaland, just without the terrible hairstyle.
Before the quarter-hour mark had even arrived, Sports took the lead. The initial threat from an attack up their left, was partially dealt with, but when Spavins retrieved it on the right side of the box, the chance was still alive. The ball was laid back for Aaron Keech to cross first time, finding James Cooke who executed the perfect back-heeled flick to send the ball past Oliver Daniels. 1-2.
Two goals in three minutes rocked the home team but, to their credit, they attempted to hit back quickly with another ball through the middle that put Phil Matthews in the clear with just Willison to beat. However, the striker put his effort high and wide of the left-hand post. Two minutes after that Town had an even better chance to get level and once again it came from that same ball through the heart of the visitors defence. Willison came out quickly to block the first effort but the ball fell invitingly to Ruddick who could only slam his effort off the foot of the post.
That was the big chance for Flitwick and, before the half was over they could have been further behind. Goalkeeper Oliver Daniels was twice their saviour, blocking really well from both James Oakes and Matthew Smith, the second of which was an excellent save when the striker looked odds-on to extend the lead.
HT Flitwick Town 1 Riseley Sports 2. Despite going behind, Riseley's quickfire two-goal blast had them deservedly in front at the break. Having said that, there wasn't a great deal between the teams. Flitwick had created chances and certainly identified a weak spot in their opponents which, presumably, the visiting coaches would try to address in the break.
A few minutes later it could easily have been two when a Riseley back pass was left a little short. Willison came out and managed to get something on the ball which span into the air. However, with the keeper stranded the follow-up attempt at goal was headed off the line by a covering defender.
That let-off seemed to spark some life into the visitors and within three minutes they had pulled themselves level. The goal was made through a series of sharp quality passes that moved Sports from deep inside their own half into Flitwick territory. The final pass up the right flank gave Freddie Spavins the opportunity to show his pace and strength. He shrugged off a challenge for a defender before driving the ball low across the face of goal into the far corner. 1-1. Spavins power and pace was an ongoing cause of concern for Flitwick. The striker's stature and style of paly brings to mind a non-league version of Erland Haaland, just without the terrible hairstyle.
Before the quarter-hour mark had even arrived, Sports took the lead. The initial threat from an attack up their left, was partially dealt with, but when Spavins retrieved it on the right side of the box, the chance was still alive. The ball was laid back for Aaron Keech to cross first time, finding James Cooke who executed the perfect back-heeled flick to send the ball past Oliver Daniels. 1-2.
Two goals in three minutes rocked the home team but, to their credit, they attempted to hit back quickly with another ball through the middle that put Phil Matthews in the clear with just Willison to beat. However, the striker put his effort high and wide of the left-hand post. Two minutes after that Town had an even better chance to get level and once again it came from that same ball through the heart of the visitors defence. Willison came out quickly to block the first effort but the ball fell invitingly to Ruddick who could only slam his effort off the foot of the post.
That was the big chance for Flitwick and, before the half was over they could have been further behind. Goalkeeper Oliver Daniels was twice their saviour, blocking really well from both James Oakes and Matthew Smith, the second of which was an excellent save when the striker looked odds-on to extend the lead.
HT Flitwick Town 1 Riseley Sports 2. Despite going behind, Riseley's quickfire two-goal blast had them deservedly in front at the break. Having said that, there wasn't a great deal between the teams. Flitwick had created chances and certainly identified a weak spot in their opponents which, presumably, the visiting coaches would try to address in the break.
Flitwick look for an equaliser There was certainly some renewed vigour about Flitwick at the start of the second half, despite now playing into an increasingly strong, gusty breeze. Clear cut chances were at a premium for both teams, but just before the hour Jamie Beer saw the space open up in front of him but could only drive his effort straight into the arms of a grateful Ryan Willison. Five minutes after the half Riseley's Jamie Simmons won the ball well on the halfway line before taking strides forward and unleashing a fizzing effort that tested Daniels. The goalkeeper was then called into action a few minutes later, once again preventing Sports from extending their lead.
As we entered the last ten minutes, Flitwick were increasingly throwing caution to the wind and central midfielder Rrezon Rama was at the heart of everything they did, accepting the ball off his defenders and driving the team on. They almost got themselves back in it too, following a corner from the left. Only a superb reaction save from Willison prevented Freddie Ferrari's header from levelling the scores. That wouldn't be the last involvement of the Town centre-half.
With three minutes to go and with Sports on the attack the referee gave a decision that Riseley didn't agree with. This wasn't the first and both sides had increasingly appeared to get frustrated with some decisions. However, this time the referee pulled out a second yellow for Riseley's Koron Cooper, presumably for dissent but hard to say from the opposite end of the pitch. Whatever the case, Sports were reduced to ten players for the remainder.
Flitwick continued pushing, sensing their opportunity with the extra player. Aidan Tomkins saw a goal bound effort deflected wide for a corner with two minutes to go, but the home side's efforts were hampered in the last minute when Ferrari also upset the referee, earning himself a trip to the sin-bin. That was the end of the action at both ends and, pretty soon, the referee blew for the end of the game.
FT Flitwick Town 1 Riseley Sports 2. Ultimately, a very close encounter decided by two quickfire examples of finishing from Riseley. Overall goal chances were probably fairly even and it's fair to say that Flitwick missed at least one gilt-edged chance.
Flitwick have a midweek fixture to coming up at Shefford Town & Campton Reserves on Wednesday. They took a pint there last season with a 1-1 draw. On Saturday they are back at The Football Centre for a clash with bottom side Totternhoe Reserves who won 2-1 the last time they visited. Riseley are away again on Saturday. They take on Marston Shelton Rovers who beat them 2-1 in the corresponding fixture last season.
If you want to see the highlights from the game pay a visit to Olly Sims' YouTube channel
Flitwick Town: 1.Daniels, 3.Witham, 2.Tompkins, 6.Ferrari, 13.Pearce, 10.Beer, 8.Rama, 7.Muirhead, 14.Ruddick, 16.Robinson, 9.Matthews(c). Subs: 4.Minion, 5.King, 15.Edwards, 12.Graham, 17.Pickford
Riseley Sports: 1.Willison, 2.Keech, 8.Cooper, 3.Harris(c), 4.Field, 6.Simmons, 10.Taylor, 18.Spavins, 5.Oakes, 17.Cooke, 9.Smith. Subs: 1.Watson, 7.Chilton, 14.Bennett, 15.Blackwood
As we entered the last ten minutes, Flitwick were increasingly throwing caution to the wind and central midfielder Rrezon Rama was at the heart of everything they did, accepting the ball off his defenders and driving the team on. They almost got themselves back in it too, following a corner from the left. Only a superb reaction save from Willison prevented Freddie Ferrari's header from levelling the scores. That wouldn't be the last involvement of the Town centre-half.
With three minutes to go and with Sports on the attack the referee gave a decision that Riseley didn't agree with. This wasn't the first and both sides had increasingly appeared to get frustrated with some decisions. However, this time the referee pulled out a second yellow for Riseley's Koron Cooper, presumably for dissent but hard to say from the opposite end of the pitch. Whatever the case, Sports were reduced to ten players for the remainder.
Flitwick continued pushing, sensing their opportunity with the extra player. Aidan Tomkins saw a goal bound effort deflected wide for a corner with two minutes to go, but the home side's efforts were hampered in the last minute when Ferrari also upset the referee, earning himself a trip to the sin-bin. That was the end of the action at both ends and, pretty soon, the referee blew for the end of the game.
FT Flitwick Town 1 Riseley Sports 2. Ultimately, a very close encounter decided by two quickfire examples of finishing from Riseley. Overall goal chances were probably fairly even and it's fair to say that Flitwick missed at least one gilt-edged chance.
Flitwick have a midweek fixture to coming up at Shefford Town & Campton Reserves on Wednesday. They took a pint there last season with a 1-1 draw. On Saturday they are back at The Football Centre for a clash with bottom side Totternhoe Reserves who won 2-1 the last time they visited. Riseley are away again on Saturday. They take on Marston Shelton Rovers who beat them 2-1 in the corresponding fixture last season.
If you want to see the highlights from the game pay a visit to Olly Sims' YouTube channel
Flitwick Town: 1.Daniels, 3.Witham, 2.Tompkins, 6.Ferrari, 13.Pearce, 10.Beer, 8.Rama, 7.Muirhead, 14.Ruddick, 16.Robinson, 9.Matthews(c). Subs: 4.Minion, 5.King, 15.Edwards, 12.Graham, 17.Pickford
Riseley Sports: 1.Willison, 2.Keech, 8.Cooper, 3.Harris(c), 4.Field, 6.Simmons, 10.Taylor, 18.Spavins, 5.Oakes, 17.Cooke, 9.Smith. Subs: 1.Watson, 7.Chilton, 14.Bennett, 15.Blackwood
Flitwick Community Football Centre
The Ground
Flitwick Community Football Centre sits just off the A5120 between Flitwick and Ampthill. It is the home of both Flitwick Town and Flitwick Eagles football clubs. It's a large football-dedicated site that boasts two full-size pitches, one greas and one all-weather. Alongside these are multiple small-sided pitches which allows the site to cater for all levels of football from junior through to adult.
Theer's a good-sized car park in fron of the main building which houses the clubhouse and changing facilities. Teh clubhouse opens onto a large patio area that has plenty of seating and cover with views over the main grass pitch.
Today's game was on the grass pitch, which is perfectly flat and looked to be in pretty good condition despite the recent dry weather. Spectators are able to stand along one side of the pitch which is bounded on that side by wooden fencing. All in all this is a great community facility which has well-maintained pitches for all age groups.
Ground Number: 458
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Flitwick Community Football Centre sits just off the A5120 between Flitwick and Ampthill. It is the home of both Flitwick Town and Flitwick Eagles football clubs. It's a large football-dedicated site that boasts two full-size pitches, one greas and one all-weather. Alongside these are multiple small-sided pitches which allows the site to cater for all levels of football from junior through to adult.
Theer's a good-sized car park in fron of the main building which houses the clubhouse and changing facilities. Teh clubhouse opens onto a large patio area that has plenty of seating and cover with views over the main grass pitch.
Today's game was on the grass pitch, which is perfectly flat and looked to be in pretty good condition despite the recent dry weather. Spectators are able to stand along one side of the pitch which is bounded on that side by wooden fencing. All in all this is a great community facility which has well-maintained pitches for all age groups.
Ground Number: 458
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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