Biggleswade United 4 - 0 London Colney
United's New Year will be a much happier affair than their Xmas after they finished comfortable 4-0
winners over bottom placed London Colney, celebrated their first double of the season and now start the
second half of the season in a mid table position. The game also marked the first occasion that members of
MYBUFC.com had the chance to select the starting formation and with over 300 members voting for 4 : 5 : 1 it
certainly paid off!
Unlike in his recent matches United 'keeper, Adam Lawrence, had a much quieter time of things with his
two central defenders, Luke Jones and man of the match Simon Catmur, in commanding form while at the other
end strikers Craig Rydeheard and Dan Gaskin were given the freedom of the park as the Blueboys' back line
struggled to overcome a strong and blustery head wind that United took full advantage of.
United's first of the game came in the 6th minute courtesy of Gaskin who was rewarded with a first team
start after impressing when coming on as substitute at Hertford the previous week. Strike partner Rydeheard
flicked the ball over the Blueboy defender to Gaskin who lobbed 'keeper Tim Trebes from close range. Further
pressure presented further chances for Gaskin, Martin Russell and new siging Jermaine Hall but a superb move
through the middle of the park saw Russell net United's second. A free kick from Catmur was chested down by
Gaskin and a neat touch through the Blueboy's defence allowed Russell to go one on one with Trebes and the
midfield man placed the ball perfectly into the top of the net for 2-0 after 23 minutes.
The remaining twenty minutes saw United squander several chances which should have allowed them to seal the
game before the break. Hall floated a strike from wide that dipped over Trebes crossbar and the young keeper
prevented a second goal for Gaskin with a wonderful one hand save.
With the wind now behind them the Blueboys were expected to take the game to United but an early second half
goal from United put paid to that. Having just hit the upright Rydeheard had better luck in the 58th minute. A
long ball from wing back Nick Stillwell found Rydeheard on the edge of the Bluboy's area and having lifted the
ball over his marker's head the former Eagles player picked out his spot at the back of the net for 3-0.
Three minutes later it was game over. Michael Scarisbrick slipped the ball in to the path of Jake Goodship
who went full steam to goal. With two defenders failing to make a challenge Goodship was able to look
up and strike a low shot past Trebes to give United a comfortable lead. United could have notched a further
two when substitutes Robbie O'Dell and Michael Leon entered the fray but a goal line clearance prevented
Leon from adding his name to the team sheet and O'Dell sent a powerful volley just over the crossbar.
United face a tough January but are hopeful that the New Year may see the return from injury of Darren
Sarll, James Slack and skipper Gary Jackson who has undergone surgery to his knee.
United: Lawrence, Scarisbrick, Stillwell, Catmur, Jones, Thrower, Goodship, Russell, Gaskin (O'Dell), Hall (Leon), Rydeheard. Not used: Lincoln L, Darvall, Lincoln K.
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