Biggleswade FA Trophy (h)

[andy]

3-2 Insall Totally different team since the changes.

[drummyb]

4-2.....worst player ever(apparently)

[juanillo]

5-2

[Johnny Bud]

Insall with the 5th.

[drummyb]

Well. A game of two halves. First half, we didnt play badly but it didnt gel. Funge is a player for the future but Im not sure in the two times Ive watched him, he's quite ready yet. Good experience in his learning though. I think it may show that we rely on our strongest 1st 11.
Biggleswade looked very good I thought.
As Andy said, completely different game after the changes.

7 very good goals and chuffed for Rich Smith, who I thought did really well with his chances.

Jamie Insall again never stops running and I thought Jack was unplayable. Mini Mac had a couple of flashes of his skills and pleased to see Gregs get 90 minutes in.
Well done boys. Cracking entertainment

[410viawednesbury]

Good luck trying to fit Macauley Manning into the midfield now he's fit.
A fantastic and enjoyable game with some great goals.
Onwards.......

[andy]

Yep, a game of 2 sides. One that was huffing and puffing and getting nowhere, and one that totally took over the game. Biggleswade must have wondered what had hit them. Manning completely took over the midfield and made football look the easiest thing in the world. HE HAS TO START. Sim's pace did for them and they couldn't cope with all the rotating up front ending with smart finishes from Smith and Insall. We've beaten a decent side tonight I feel. We clearly have the personnel to take on any side at our level and as long as we can keep a strong bench and avoid complacency we should fear nobody. Well done lads!

[DJ]

Isuzu FA Trophy First Qualifying Round – Tuesday, 13th September 2022

Halesowen Town 5 Biggleswade FC 2

Two second-half goals each for Richard Smith and Jamie Insall fired Halesowen to a sensational victory and into next round, writes DJ.

Prior to the kick-off the national anthem and a minute’s silence were observed impeccably as a mark of respect in remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday, 8th September, aged 96. The Halesowen Town players also wore black arm bands for the evening.

Commenting on a dramatic second-half turnaround, Yeltz manager Paul Smith re-iterated how important his whole squad was. “We were lethargic in the first half and didn’t move the ball quickly enough and they worked hard and frustrated us for 55 minutes. But the substitutions gave us the extra impetus and I’m really pleased for Richard Smith, who works so hard in training.”

In early play, Richard Gregory’s 4th minute free-kick from the edge of the area was blocked and Josh Quaynor went close when he advanced from midfield in the 14th minute to send a low, raking shot just inches past the right-hand post.

GREGORY then gave the Yeltz a 20th minute lead when he picked his spot and fired beyond goalkeeper Dan Green into the bottom corner from 25 yards – although the visitors appealed for a free-kick in the build-up.

But instead of the Yeltz building on their lead, it was quick moving, yet mid-table, Biggleswade who bounced back to take a half-time lead. The home defence could only watch as Dan Bond played the ball through for his captain Tom COLES to slot home a 25th minute equaliser. FC soon took the lead in the 33rd minute when a deep left-wing cross from Reiss Oteng was met by the head of former Lincoln City youngster Mekhi ANGOL and the ball nestled in the bottom corner of the net despite home goalkeeper Dan Platt scrambling to reach the ball.

As Halesowen attempted to respond, Matt Funge blazed over the bar after 36 minutes and Quaynor’s 43rd minute free-kick was blocked. After winning two further corners, Biggleswade went close again on the stroke of half-time when Charlie Hayford curled a free-kick inches past the home post.

But the Yeltz launched a terrific turnaround after the interval to win the contest with four second-half goals.

After a 57th minute penalty shout was turned down, manager Paul Smith made a triple substitution after an hour to dramatic effect. In a quick break at pace, Gregory sent substitute Simeon Cobourne free down the right and his rapid cross was turned home by substitute SMITH for his first Yeltz goal in a fine 67th minute move. As the Yeltz started to look far more lively, Jack Holmes did well to earn a 75th minute corner at the end of his tricky run and Kieran Morris then headed on the corner kick for INSALL to react quickly and score with a bullet header from close range.

Biggleswade’s Tom Rowley couldn’t control a dangerous 83rd minute cross from Adam Hunt and the visitors were soon undone by two further home goals. Insall gave super-sub SMITH another sight of goal and he stabbed home his second goal in the 84th minute to make it 4-2. Cobourne made a tremendous 88th minute run forward from one side of the park to the other, skipping several challenges, before shooting just wide. There was still time for Halesowen to add a magnificent fifth goal of sheer quality in the fourth minute of added time when Smith set up INSALL to plant a sublime lob into the net over goalkeeper Green.

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt; Rob Evans (c), Josh Quaynor, Tom Turton (McKauley Manning 60), Kieran Morris, Nat Kelly, Jack Holmes, Nathan Hayward (Simeon Cobourne 60), Jamie Insall, Richard Gregory, Matt Funge (Richard Smith 60). Subs Not Used: Asa Charlton, Josh Ezewele, Dan Whitehouse (GK).

Biggleswade FC: Dan Green; Adam Hunt, Reiss Oteng, Pat McCafferty, Adam Wedd, Lawrie Marsh, Alex Marsh, Charlie Hayford (Lewis Lynn 71), Daniel Bond (Lewis Crosbie 84), Tom Coles (c), Mekhi Angol (Tom Rowley 46). Subs Not Used: Craig Grieve, Jack Dreyer.

Referee: Jordan Brooks Attendance: 551
Booked: Hayford (41), Funge (44), Rowley (90)
‘Tulleys Print’ HTFC Man of the Match selected by Harrison Self: Jamie Insall

[dalevillain]

Great comeback the last 30 mins after a bit of a disappointing first 60 mins. Although the first 20 minutes weren’t too bad. It wasn’t quite Romulus bad in the first 60 but it just wasn’t working and we looked vulnerable at the back as got done with two sucker punches.

Cue a triple substitution which then changed the game and then we were in complete control with 4 goals.

Great to see Rich Smith finally get on the scoresheet with two goals. He’s faced a lot of stick (some from myself included to be honest) but fair play to him as can never fault his effort and what about that goal from Insall at the end? It was sublime to put the icing on the cake to finish off a great final third to the game.

[piearce9]

Before I post some separate waffle, I just wanted to say thanks to DJ for a brilliant match report. Captured the game perfectly - one we'll certainly keep in the memory.