Play-Off Heartbreak for Biggleswade & Walthamstow

It was heartache for Biggleswade FC and Walthamstow as they both lost their Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central play-off semi-finals on Wednesday evening.

Biggleswade finished the regular season as runners-up to Berkhamsted and had a Ware side, who ended up in fifth spot, visiting The Eyrie.

A crowd of 341 saw the visitors get off to a great start when some indifferent defensive work saw Declan Nche fire a deflected effort past Dan Green with only 2 minutes gone on the clock.

Green was called into action again 6 minutes later as he pulled off a fine save to prevent Louis Rose from doubling Ware’s lead.

Theo Ofori was next to come close as the hosts were struggling for rhythm and he saw his effort cleared off the line by Dan Newton.

Biggleswade finally came into the game and visiting `keeper Fred Burbidge did well to save from Adam Hunt.

Then, on 33 minutes, the Greens were back on level terms when Newton headed home following a corner.

However, 2 minutes before half-time, Ware re-took the lead when, after more good work from Ofori, Brandon Adams tucked the ball past Green.

The opening period of the second half became a little scrappy but then, on 71 minutes, the visitors stretched their lead to 3-1 when Dan Rumens headed powerfully past Green from a corner.

Eleven minutes from time, Ware could have put the tie to bed when, incredibly, they struck the bar twice in succession.

They did find a fourth, however, with 6 minutes remaining and it was the dangerous Ofori who got a goal his performance deserved with a clinical finish.

So, Biggleswade’s record-breaking season when they finished the highest they have ever achieved, came to a disappointing end.

In the other semi-final at the Christchurch Homes Loop Meadow Stadium, Didcot Town welcomed a Walthamstow side who had performed a remarkable turnaround in fortunes after appointing the experienced Nick Ironton as manager in late September when they were struggling.

Jamie Heapy’s Railwaymen finished third in the regular season, 3 points better off than Stow and after a sluggish start to the match, took a 24th minute lead when Cameron McNeill reacted quickest to a loose ball and beat Brad Robinson in the Stow goal.

Then, on 32 minutes, Didcot doubled their advantage with a stunning volley from Patrick Osborne which gave Robinson no chance.

The excellent crowd of 628 saw the hosts dominate the early part of the second half and Adam Learoyd came close to making it 3-0.

But on 72 minutes, Walthamstow got themselves back into the tie when they were awarded a penalty for a trip on Duncan Culley.

Culley’s spot-kick struck the bar but Damaray Anyadike was first to react to the rebound.

However, the Railwaymen held firm and 3 minutes into stoppage time, made it safe when Adam Smith scored a third to take them through to Monday’s final which will again be at home.