Terriers Make it Four from Four

Bedlington Terriers maintained their fine 100% start to their league season on Saturday when they defeated local rivals Morpeth Town 3-1 at Welfare Park. While the hosts were boosted by the return to fitness of Steve Bowey to the starting XI (and Stephen Shaw on the subs bench), the visitors where beginning to pick up some momentum after a troubled summer on and off the pitch.

It was Bedlington who had the early chances, with a McAlindon free kick in only the second minute shaving the post with no other player making contact with the ball. Minutes later, a powerful drive from 25 yards by Bowey flew inches over the bar.

Morpeth responded in kind, with Bowey forced into defensive duties in clearing a header of the line. The Terriers were slow to get to the pace of the game, and the always dangerous David Southern proving to be a thorn in the side of the Terriers backline.

However, the breakthrough came after 18 minutes, and it was the home side who made it. When Bowey was fouled 25 yards from goal, McAlindon's flighted free kick saw Hedley made a late unchallenged run at the far post, and he glanced his header past the helpless Morpeth keeper Wells into the corner

The lead should have been doubled within a couple of minutes, when Shandran found space on the goal line to spin his marker before laying back into the path of Bowey. However, his goalbound shot hit the chest of the unlucky Sheeran from close range, and the danger was cleared.

The Terriers' striker almost made amends moments later when he reached full length to make contact with a fine cross from the left by Bowey. Unfortunately, the pass had too much pace on it and he could not force Wells into action. Morpeth were forced into an early change, with Heiniger replacing the injured Sweeney.

Bowey was proving to be hugely instrumental in this opening half, and he again was instrumental in another Bedlington chance, when he drove forward from halfway, skipping past a couple of opponents before driving narrowly over from 20 yards.

It proved to be only a temporary reprieve for the visitors, as they conceded a second goals in the 34th minute. It was a fine individual effort to, as Sheeran chipped the keeper from 25 yards, having the satisfaction of seeing the ball float into the top right hand corner of his goal. Morpeth were then forced into another change, their second of the opening 45 minutes as Andrew Middelton replaced Paul Newton-Eddy.

The visitors reduced the deficit almost immediately, when the Bedlington defence failed to deal with the continual threat posed by Southern, allowing him enough space to fire home from a narrow angle. This meant that the home side would have to wait at least another game before recording a clean sheet.

Into the second half, the hosts continued to play the better football and pose the biggest threat to goal. This was finally rewarded on the hour mark when a two goal cushion was restored. A fantastic and determined interception by Hedley in his own half saw him win the ball from the attentions of two opponents. The ball was eventually played out left to the feet of Shandran. The tricky Bedlington striker beat his man easily before crossing to the far post for Sheeran to direct his header back across goal and into the corner of the net. A fine passage of play which saw Sheeran score his third league goal in as many games since signing for the club earlier in the month.

Bedlington made their first change soon after, with McAlindon making way for Shaw. Shandran came close to joining his strike partner on the score sheet, when his spin and shot had to be palmed away by Wells. Snowden found his way into the referee's notebook for a lunge midway through the half.

Other than one good save by Powell from the boot of Southern, the visitors rarely seriously threatened to make a nervous end to the game. Bedlington made further changes, with Ludlow and McRoberts replacing Shandran and Sheeran respectively, while Morpeth made their final substitution when ex-Collier Justin Millican came on for ex-Terrier Derek Atwell.

Thus another three points were secured, and Bedlington made their best start to a season since August 1999. This run was certain to be put to the test on Wednesday night, when they welcomed league leaders West Allotment Celtic to Welfare Park, the visitors topping the table having won all four games played.

This Saturday sees more home action, as Garforth Town of the Unibond League Division One North travel to Bedlington for their FA Cup Preliminary Qualifying Round tie. Assuming this match produces a definite winner, then the Terriers are due to finally play away from home, albeit just a few miles up the road against Ashington at their Woodhorn Road ground on the Bank Holiday Monday (11am kick off).