Late goal seals derby win for Arlesey

With the home side starting with much of their first team line up, the Blues were again looking at getting a good look at some trialists but with a mixing of last year’s squad.

The first chance fell to Arlesey when Joel Mason broke through, Dean Bull in goal came off of his line well and made a good save on the edge of the area, The Waders responded whit ex-Arlesey players Harry Hunt broke down the left and crossed to Alex O’Brien who fired in a good shot that went over Arlesey’s bar.

With both sides pressing Hunt headed over the bar and Stuart Sinclair unleashed a great 40 yard drive that brought a great save from Bull.

Arlesey pressed forward with Dan Chambers getting in a shot that was blocked and Theo Swaine headed just wide.

Just before half time Biggleswade had a good chance when Paul Barnes broke through and seeing goal keeper Mark Osborn off his line fired in a long shot but it went wide to keep the scores level at the break.

Mason brought off a great save from Bull early in the second half with a fierce drive as Arlesey started to make changes to the side feeding in players so that the whole squad got a good run out.

A cross in from the left found Lee Allinson on the edge of the area, but he shot over the bar and Alex O’Brien responded with a good purposeful drive through the centre and fired in a good shot from distance that brought a good save out of Osborn.

Osborn was replaced by Richard Hayward in the goal soon after as Arlesey pushed up and from a good cross in from the right Joel Mason shot just past the post, as did Dave Deeney after good work through the centre.

Paul Barnes made a break down the other end and after a tackle on the edge of the area, he allowed himself to be caught a couple of paces later and went down to claim the resultant penalty.

Jon Woolfe stepped up to take the spot kick and fired the ball toward the goal, but keeper Hayward reacted quickly and pulled off a fine save to keep the scores level.

Arlesey responded to this by again pushing on and from a cross from the right the ball came to trialist Saul Atobo who fired the ball under sub keeper Sam Leggett into the bottom corner of the net to give Arlesey the vital edge.

Biggleswade had a chance to level the scores in the last minute when from a great cross from the right Stuart Lochhead fire in a volley from close range but it slipped outside of the post, to preserve Arlesey’s winning run.

Difficult games coming up start with Arlesey entertaining Blue Square Premier Division Kettering Town on Saturday (July 30) while they have an away trip to big spending Evo-Stik Central League new boys St Neots Town on Monday, August 1.

As for the Waders, they will host Hendon tomorrow (Thursday) and entertain Hitchin Town on Tuesday.