Terriers Tear Out of Traps

Bedlington Terriers opened their skilltrainingltd Northern League Division One season on Saturday, with the visit to Welfare Park by newly-promoted Horden Colliery Welfare. It was a successful beginning to a new campaign, as the Terriers recovered from conceding the first goal to run out 3-1 victors. It was a much changed side from the one which had finished the previous season with victory at South Shields in April. Indeed, only 4 players (Lawson, Hedley, Ludlow and McAlindon) remained in the squad of 16 from that game. With Jamie Clarke returning to Spennymoor in midweek due to changed work commitments which would have made travel to Bedlington difficult, the Terriers management team moved quickly to plug the gap.

With Tony Shandran suspended for this game, the final game of a 3 match ban picked up for Blyth in April, Lee Ludlow finally signed forms again for the club. In addition, Mark Sheeran, a player who has scored prolifically wherever he has played, also joined the Bedlington ranks. What could have been an early crisis was thus turned into an embarrassment of riches.

Bedlington began very promisingly, using the flanks to good effect in stretching the Horden defence. An early free kick out right saw Chapman provide pinpoint delivery for the head of Sheeran. However, keeper Winter dived full stretch to save.

The early momentum quickly petered out, however, and the visitors showed the type of fast counter-attacking football which had served them so well in winning the Division Two title the previous season. One cross from the left saw a glanced header divert the ball on to the far post. Terriers' keeper Newton then had to produce an excellent block to deny the follow up.

Horden obviously took heart from this, as they pushed again for the breakthrough, forcing Newton into another superb save, this time a goal seemed certain from the loose ball but the Horden forward could only hit high over the bar. Moments later a swerving shot from 20 yards crashed against the bar and then away to safety.

Bedlington were at all at sea during this period of play, and in scenes reminiscent of last season, the injury jinx returned after only 23 minutes when Shaw had to be replaced by Ludlow due to a hamstring injury.

The visitors eventually got a deserved goal just after the hour mark, when another cross from the left saw Jennings glance his header at the near post into the opposite corner. However, the Terriers produced an almost instant response in levelling within 2 minutes.

A cross from the left saw a Horden defender only loop a headed clearance high into the air. Sheeran carefully placed a header back across to Ludlow, who had his back to goal. The veteran Bedlington striker showed great agility to hit an overhead kick into the bottom corner past the helpless Winter, and carry on the goal scoring form which saw him finish leading scorer last season.

The Terriers suffered another injury blow within 3 minutes of the restart, when Chapman was unable to continue due to a knock sustained late in the first half. He was replaced by Scott Robson. Despite this setback, Bowey came agonisingly close to putting the Terriers ahead moments later when he sliced his effort from Ludlow's knock back just wide of the upright.

Although the visitors still looked to pose a threat on the break, the hosts were increasingly dominating possession. This was duly rewarded with a goal on 55 minutes. A beautifully flighted ball forward to Poole saw a defender just get a toe on it a full stretch which played it perfectly into the Terriers man's path. He coolly rounded first Winter, then the recovering defender to slot home just inside the post to give his team the lead for the first time.

Poole turned provider midway through the second half, when his perfectly weighted slide rule ball put Graham clear on goal. The cultured midfielder kept his composure the hit across the Horden keeper and into the bottom left corner to give the Terriers a two goal cushion.

Both sides had opportunities to add to the scoring before the end of the game, but for the visitors in particular, tiredness and increasing frustration left to Kegans and Husband receiving cautions, both for challenges that could easily have been deserving of straight red cards.

Not a classic by any means, and there is certainly much to do before this much changed team is firing on all cylinders, but securing the 3 points was the only important target. A pre-season campaign which gave the Bedlington management only rare opportunity to field what they may have considered their strongest available side means that this is still very much a work in progress.

Also, the 3 injuries sustained in this game underline the need for any club with aspirations to challenge for honours to have strength in depth in all areas of the pitch. Great credit goes to Lowery and Perry over the summer months for putting together a squad which seems to have all bases covered.

Bedlington had little time to rest on their laurels, with August always being a very busy month. Wednesday night sees the visit to Welfare Park by Billingham Town (7.30pm). Then this Saturday, the Terriers have yet another home game, this time hosting Thackley in the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round.

The FA Cup provides an opportunity for all clubs this level to earn much needed funds, and for their part the Terriers will be hoping that they make good progress in this competition for the first time in several years. The first time Bedlington go on their travels is the following Wednesday (19th), when they make the trip to Shildon.

Photos can be found here.

Report by Dave Anderson.