Waders win again at Dorchester

The game was always destined to be close as only two points separated the teams in the Southern League Premier.

In three previous games the Magpies have failed to record a point. That was extended to four as the Waders ran out victors.

The afternoon was cold and very wet but the Waders faithful sat high up in the stands to avoid what was at times a torrential downpour.

As the season draws to its climax games like this will become commonplace as each team is eliminated from play-off glory. Although it is still mathematically possible for Waders to reach those dizzy heights, they are totally dependent on others to slip up badly.

The only goal of the game came on 30 minutes as Dorchester defender Chris Dillon handled the ball in the area after a Mark Coulson free kick swung in from the right.

Tony Burnett stood tall and with no nerves stroked the penalty past a diving Shane Murphy who would have stopped it easily if he had only gone the right way.

Before then new signing Nick Freeman, formerly of Histon and briefly of Hemel, had seen his snap shot deflected wide.

With their noses in front Biggleswade wanted to keep it that way and the play over the next 60 minutes showed strength and depth of character.

Dorchester had their moments, albeit briefly. Jake Smeeton tested keeper Ian Brown from a free kick but that was on 42 minutes and was Dorchester’s clearest chance up to that point.

In the second half, although showing purpose the Magpies never really got close enough to trouble the Waders again. Ian Rees had the ball hitting the opposition post on 74 and it was only in the last five minutes that Dorchester forced numerous corners but were unable to breach that well drilled defence.

Biggleswade had three captains during the course of the 90 minutes. Craig Daniel had to go off and handed the armband to Ian Rees who in turn was injured, passing the band to Mark Coulson.

Coach Rory Prendergast got the biggest cheer as the club’s new coach recorded his first win.