Barwell got their first win of the season against Biggleswade Town on a hot and sunny afternoon at Kirkby Road. Two goals from Brady Hickey and one from Sam Hollis sealed the win in a good team performance. The away team had some spells of pressure including hitting the bar and the post during the match so this was not an easy win but it was one that left Guy Hadland very happy. Henry Eze returned for Barwell and provided a strong presence in the centre of defence.
Bigglewade Town had a corner in the first minute as they started the game with real attacking intent. Andy Wycherley claimed the ball well from this corner in what was the start of a very solid 90 minutes for the on loan goalkeeper. The Waders had another chance on 7 minutes when an attacking player just couldn't get the touch he needed to slot the ball home.
Barwell were also creating chances in the first few minutes particularly with some good crosses being put in. On 9 minutes Omotola was brought down in the area as he tried to spin a Biggleswade defender and a penalty was awarded. Brady Hickey took it and scored low to the goalkeepers right.
Both sides continued to create chances and force corners and for Barwell, the best of those were when Cain Thomas was caught offside and when Henry Eze couldn't quite stretch to meet a corner with his head.
On 30 minutes Biggeswade had a free kick out on their left that was drilled across and Wycherley made a good save to push it out for a throw. The Waders had a long throw specialist but these were dealt with well by the home side all afternoon. Not long afterwards there was a good chance for the away side but Henry Eze made a great tackle to deny a shooting opportunity.
Biggleswade started the second half with real attacking intent and they hit the crossbar on 47 minutes and then had a shot that was deflected wide on 49 minutes. It was, then, no surprise that they equalised on 50 minutes when White was played in and slotted the ball under the keeper to make it 1-1. The game was back in the balance.
Barwell pushed on after the equaliser and started to create some chances again. The excellent Eliot Putman was fouled a couple of times which lead to free kicks being put in to the box but nothing came of them.
Sam Hollis and Jack McMillan, for his debut, were brought on to change things for Barwell and they added a different dimension to the home side. The game opened up around the 65 minute mark as both sides looked to take all 3 points.
Sam Grouse came on after 70 minutes and quickly went down injured after colliding with an advertising board whilst stopping a goal kick. he was fine to carry on after treatment.
Andy Wycherley kept the score at 1-1 on 77 minutes with a point blank save from a Biggleswade header as the keeper continued his impressive time at Barwell.
On 83 minutes the second goal arrived for Barwell. Eliot Putman played a great ball through to Brady Hickey who had got between the two central defenders and he was able to plant the ball in the back of the net. This was his 4th goal of the season.
The game was not settled as it entered the last 5 minutes of normal time. Biggleswade hit the post on 87 minutes to be denied by the woodwork once again.
In the 90th minute Barwell secured all three points with a Sam Hollis goal. Andy Wycherley took a goal kick that was helped on by Jamie Towers and it found Sam Hollis. He was able to touch the ball over the away keeper who was rushing out and it ended up in the back of the net.
Full Time: Barwell 3 Biggleswade Town 1
Attendance: 202
Man of the Match: Brady Hickey
Match Report by Barwell
Barwell Web Site