Biggleswade United FC v Harpenden Town FC by Biggleswade United

Biggleswade United Colours: Red / Navy

Harpenden Town

Colours: Yellow / Blue

Robbie Ponting

Connor Samson

James Cooper

Jack Cartwright

Matt Cooper

Thomas Colin

Jordan Wright

Chris Cutler

Joe Gorman

Michael Davis

Nick Elliot ©

Harry Hunt

Gareth Hunt

Sam James

Kane Farrell

David Keenleyside

Abraham Eze

Kyle McLeish

Dami Nickels-Benson

Stephen O’Reilly

Jaiden Irish

Warren Plowright

Lee Bilcock

Chris Brothwood

Jay Taylor

Jack Nevin

Ross Taylor

Tom Warren

Andrew Iwediuno

Dwayne Duncan

Reece Voller

William McClelland

Zak Guerfi

Carlos Correia-Dias

Richard Christie

Head Coach: Cristian Colas Becerra

Manager: Danny Plumb

Asst Coach: Stuart Bimson Conditioning Coach: Albert Martinez

Asst Manager :

Physio: Ikera Williams

Physio:

Match Officials Referee: Mr T Ratheram Assistants: Mr M Sage and Mr L Randall

The legal name of the club is Biggleswade United 1959 Biggleswade United is a members club

Saturday 25th November 2017 Official Match Programme The Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Biggleswade United FC V Harpenden Town FC Visit us:www.BiggleswadeUnited.com Follow us:@Biggleswadeutd Support Us: Here

BIGGLESWADE UNITED – OUR HISTORY (1) Biggleswade United Football Club was re-formed on the 16th July 1959. However, local history records indicate that there was a Biggleswade United side playing at Second Meadow as early as 1929. Our first season (1959/60) saw us competing in Division Three of the North Herts. League (NHL). After 10 successful years in the NHL the club made the step up to South Midlands League (SML) football. But towards the end of a 15year association with the SML the club began to struggle and after three years of finishing in the bottom three of Division One we sought fresh fields. The club joined the Herts. Senior but the club continued to find the going tough. In 1986 we elected to return to local League football, joining the Bedford and District Football League and began to build again. The appointment of Brian Swords as first team manager in 87/88 proved to be the turning point in the club's fortunes. During the next ten years the club achieved a tremendous amount of success on and off the football pitch. Our record of League and Cup honours speak for themselves but aligned to this a great deal of work went on behind the scenes to match the on-field success. The club now boasts one of the best clubhouse and ground facilities in the Mid-Bedfordshire area. The success of the club has also attracted many new players as well as commanding a great deal of loyalty from those players who helped the club progress from Division Three of the Bedford and District League to County Senior Club status in just 15 years. The 1995/96 season was the most successful in the club's history - winning five major honours; the Beds Intermediate County Cup, Bedford and District League Championship, League Cup Championship and as the League's representatives the club won the Beds. FA Centenary Cup. Having won every major Bedford League honour the club felt it was time to move on and made the decision to make the step up once again and returned to Division One of the SML. In an exceptionally successful first season we celebrated a Division One "double" by winning the Championship and the Division One Cup. We also retained the Beds. FA Intermediate County Cup, only the second club in the competition's history to achieve this feat. To crown our success the club were awarded the SML Special Achievement Trophy in July 1997. In the season 1997/98 we finally achieved Senior status. This was achieved not only through the endeavours of the players on the field but ultimately as a result of an extremely hard working committee. With the help of the Biggleswade Town Council a new stand was erected and perimeter fencing installed. And two seasons later the club erected floodlights and on the evening of 26th October 1999 we played our first-ever floodlit game at Second Meadow, Ryman League side Leighton Town were the visitors in the Bedfordshire Premier Cup.

Welcome to Second Meadow…. Good afternoon and welcome to Second Meadow for this Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division fixture. Today we welcome the players, supporters and officials of HARPENDEN TOWN FC. We also welcome our three match officials and hope that you all enjoy your short stay with us. Today’s Match Preview – By Leon Waite Back to square one for boss Cristian Colas as his side were beaten 1-0 at Hoddesdon Town on Tuesday night despite controlling the vast majority of the contest. The optimism built up in the convincing win 3-0 triumph over London Tigers and the encouraging 2-2 draw with unbeaten league leaders Berkhamsted has been slightly diminished by a sixth league defeat of the campaign. United have now suffered half as many losses as they did in the entirety of last season and are quite a distance away from the division’s leading teams. But considering the stature of the opposition midweek, it is important to appreciate the positives of the display whilst reflecting on how to improve in future matches. Hoddesdon are fifth in the table and having faced Berkhamsted last weekend, this Saturday sees United face another one of the more accomplished sides in the league in the shape of third place Harpenden Town- it doesn’t get any easier. Harpenden Town The Harps are riding high after their promotion to this level at the start of the campaign and if any team are capable of rivalling Berkhamsted and Welwyn Garden City at the top it is difficult to look beyond Danny Plumb’s men. They remain unbeaten at home with their 3-0 success against United at Rothamsted Park in mid-October- inflicting a first defeat in normal time in thirteen games on their opponents in the process- a part of an unbeaten streak in the league that now stands at nine matches. In that impressive sequence, the only time they failed to win was in their 2-2 draw with Leighton Town- the team who incidentally last beat them back in early September. And their last result was a thumping 4-0 win at Colney Heath, who beat United 2-1 a fortnight ago. Our next fixture is a another tough encounter when we entertain Welwyn Garden City on Saturday. Kick Off 3pm. Let’s hope for an enjoyable and entertaining game this afternoon.

Tracey James, (Secretary and Programme Editor)

BALAGUE ON BIGGLESWADE UNITED Our Director of Football, Guillem Balague, writes this weekly column for the Biggleswade Chronicle.

What had been another frustrating week for all of us at the club finally took a turn for the better with the news that our excellent young goalkeeper, Nicole Gair is now just one trial away from being selected for England Schools Under 15s. Nicole, who is just 14 already plays for the Biggleswade United Under 16 girls side. On November 12 she successfully negotiated South East v South West trials held at Thatcham Town FC and will now take part in a North v South final trial to be held at Stafford Town FC on December 10. After that match 16 players will be selected for the final squad with training weekends arranged at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in January and February. To say I am thrilled by her selection doesn't even get close to describing how I felt when I heard this wonderful news. It is truly a great honour for her but also a tribute to the superb coaching and help she has received from our excellent Academy staff and of course the guidance and wise counsel she gets from her supportive family. Her commitment, positive attitude, enthusiasm and total dedication are a credit to her and an example to everyone, and we wish her all the success in the world Now we are all keeping our fingers crossed that she can make over the final hurdle and into the England line up. Of course we shouldn't really be that surprised at Nicole's success because the spirit and camaraderie that exists within so many of our younger Academy sides is conducive to achieving success. On December 3 Academy chief, Fran Constancio and his team are organising a FIFA style tournament that will incorporate six different drills with prizes for the winners and other events like the raffle of two replica shirts signed by Premier League players. It is events like these that help to nurture and build up the spirit between players, coaches and parents that is so vital and is precisely what will eventually take this club to where it wants to be. Back to the first team, and after a more than respectable showing against unbeaten league leaders Berkhamsted had earned us a 2-2 draw, a fairly mediocre display against Hoddesdon meant we left Hertfordshire with nothing to show from our efforts following a 1-0 defeat. We need to get back on track and quickly if we are to salvage something from what has up to now been a season as frustrating, as it has been disappointing. And we can't expect any favours from Harpenden Town who call into Second Meadow today and who will be going all out for a win as they try to narrow the gap at the top of the table between themselves and league leaders Berkhamsted.

BIGGLESWADE UNITED – OUR HISTORY (continued) The next eleven years saw the first team led by Steve "Snowy" Wright and under his management the club continued to enjoy a very high level of League and Cup success ultimately achieving promotion to the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division and with it the opportunity to compete in the FA Cup. And under Snowy the club made three Beds FA Senior Challenge Cup final appearances, winning two of the three with victories over Stotfold (4-1) and Leighton Town (1-0) but missed out in 2006/07 going down 2-0 to Dunstable Town. Snowy's other cup successes came in the form of the Hunts Premier Cup, North Beds Charity Cup, Hinchingbrooke Cup, the SML Division One Cup and the SML Special Achievement Award once again. The end of the 2006 2007 saw Snowy step down as manager with his assistant, Nick Burton taking over the first team reins. January 5th 2009 saw the club embark on further ambitious ground improvements. With financial backing from Biggleswade Town Council, Mid Beds District Council and the Football Foundation we installed a 260-seater stand, fully enclosed the ground with a double turnstile entrance and players' secure walkway which raised the ground to Grade E status. After several years of stability in terms of first team managers the next six years saw a regular turnover of first team and reserve team managers with Nick Burton, Dave Elkin and Phil Childs all taking over the first team reins for a time. At the start of the 2013 2014 season we appointed Mick Reardon and Mark Royal as first team managers both of whom had enjoyed success as coaches at the higher levels of football. Their disciplined approach was quickly adhered to and responded to by the players and under their stewardship we achieved the highest Premier Division position in nine years and first silverware in seven years winning the North Beds Charity Cup for the first time in the club’s history. In November 2014 the club took a further positive step to realise our ambitions with the appointment of Sky Sports Presenter and renowned author, Guillem Balague as Biggleswade United’s Director of Football. Following Mick and Mark’s decision to step down at the end 2014 2015, Guillem was quick to act and recruited a new Head Coach in Cristian Colas Beccera who at the age of just 23 gained his UEFA Level 3 Pro License and went on to become assistant coach at CD Masnou and later C.E. Europa both of who play in the Spanish 3rd division the equivalent of the English League Division Two. He then moved to Finland where he worked for Finnish third division side PK.K-U as head coach and with the club’s academy. This season Cristian will be assisted by Stuart Bimson and Conditioning Coach Albert Martinez. The club has certainly come a long way in relatively few years but we could not have done it without the help of a very supportive Town and District Council who clearly understand the benefits of having a community based club in Biggleswade. Our success is also very much down to a very hard working committee who throughout the year continue to volunteer their time and commitment to the club, to help it continue to thrive and be a source of enjoyment for our supporters and the Biggleswade community.

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE DELETE THAT EXPLETIVE!

Kick Off 3pm

Our club is fully supportive of the League’s “Mind Your Language” initiative, to eradicate offensive behaviour within our ground. It is our wish for everybody to feel comfortable here and to encourage everyone, especially younger people, to enjoy their time with us. This won’t happen if they are listening to constant foul and offensive language.

Hoddesdon Town 1 Biggleswade United 0 Report by Leon Waite A first-half strike from Emmanuel Melford-Rowe was the difference on Tuesday night as United slumped to a sixth league defeat of the season in a game which also saw Joe Gorman shown a red card.

The pattern of the first period was similar to that after the interval as Irish fired over from close range after breaking through again. Then Wright beat the goalkeeper but couldn’t direct his shot away from the woodwork as he headed onto the crossbar off a dangerous free-kick from the left.

The best chance in the early exchanges, however, fell to United’s technically gifted left-back Kane A few more chances and plenty Farrell’s free-kick was well-saved by more of possession followed but Harry Isham in the Hoddesdon goal. United couldn’t breach a firm Hoddesdon rearguard and departed The visitors sustained control of The Stewart Edwards Stadium with possession for the majority of the nothing to show for their efforts. half, transferring the ball across the pitch neatly and on one occasion slipping Nick Elliot through the middle but the midfielder dragged his shot wide of the right-hand post. The most enterprising opportunity of the game then presented itself to Jordan Wright (pictured)as he skewed his effort wide at the back post following a corner whipped in from the right. Jaiden Irish then forced a top save from Isham sprung beyond the Lilywhites’ backline as the opening goal continued to elude United. And against the run of play, it was the hosts who took the lead; Melford-Rowe pouncing a loose ball in the box to finish.

FIRST TEAM FORTHCOMING FIXTURES Date

Opponents

Comp.

H/A

Sat 25 Nov

HARPENDEN TOWN

League

3pm

Sat 2 Dec

WELWYN GC

League

3pm

Beds Cup

7.45

HADLEY

League

3pm

Tues 12 Dec

ST MARGARETSBURY

League

7.45

Sat 16 Dec

LEVERSTOCK GREEN

League

3pm

Sat 23 Dec

BIGGLESWADE

League

1.30

Sat 30 Dec

LEIGHTON TOWN

League

3pm

Tues 5 Dec Sat 9 Dec

BEDFORD TOWN

UNDER 23 FORTHCOMING FIXTURES Sat 25 Nov

WINSLOW UNITED

League

3pm

Sat 2 Dec

HODDESDON TOWN

League

3pm

Sat 9 Dec

HERTFORD TOWN

League

3pm

Sat 16 Dec

AFC DUNSTABLE

League

3pm

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION NEWSLETTER

PREMIER DIVISION Berkhamsted maintain their unbeaten start to the season and are two points clear at the top of the table after they drew 2-2 at Biggleswade United. Adam Read’s stunning goal from his own half set the visitors on their way but United hit back with two goals from Joe Gorman to take the lead before Ash Morrissey’s goal ten minutes from time earned the Comrades a share of the spoils. Second placed Welwyn Garden City keep up the pressure after they recorded their own win on their travels, in this case 2-1 at Colney Heath. However they had to rely on two Ash Kersey goals in the last minute to seal a famous win. Leverstock Green continued their rise up the table as a 5-3 win over third-placed Biggleswade F.C. took them up to 8th in the table but Biggleswade remain in third spot. This impressive result was Leverstock’s seventh win from their last ten games and their third league win in a row. On a muddy surface that made free flowing football difficult, Leighton returned from fellow promotion hopefuls Harpenden Town with a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Harpenden scored first, through David Keenleyside but Tom Silford evened it up shortly afterwards. Five minutes from the break, Leighton went in front with an Alex O’Brien header. It was level again when James Yates netted after 75 minutes and as the half progressed, both sides tried their best to seek what proved to be an elusive winning goal and in the end had to settle for a share of the points, that with Welwyn Garden City winning again was of little comfort to either side. Two goals from Bradley Marriott helped Cockfosters to a 4-2 home win over Oxhey Jets . Hoddesdon followed up their midweek 4-0 win at Holmer Green with a comfortable 4-0 home win against Stotfold and moved up a place to fifth in the table. They were 2-0 ahead by the seventh minute with goals from Kyle Johnson and Louis Rose, before going 3-0 up at the break thanks to a mid-half goal from Tom Cowell. Connor Scully made it 4-0 with fifteen minutes of normal time remaining. Holmer Green fell into the bottom two for the first time this season after a 5-0 walloping at bottom club Crawley Green, Charlie Clayton grabbing himself a hat trick. Tring Athletic remain in the bottom three despite beating last seasons champions London Colney, 2-1 thanks to goals from Jack Read and Elliott Goward. Elsewhere, London Tigers continue to surprise with a 3-2 home win over Wembley whilst Hadley lost 2-0 at home to St Margaretsbury for whom Jordan McKenzie and Lee Roberts were on target.

Stay with us after our matches on Saturdays to watch Premier League football. All BT SPORT 1 matches will be shown in the clubhouse after our match.