Bedgrove Dynamos - League Cup (18/04/2004)
2003 - 2004 Season, Hithercroft Under 16s



The weather was slightly overcast with very fine rain in the air for the start of this League Cup Semi-Final against the current second-placed team in the first division. The ground was damp and soft following recent poor weather. All the officials had been appointed by the League and the ‘Hithercroft’ linesman was Chris Little. The Hithercroft team was as usual with Sam again being the sub but on this occasion was not called upon to play.

The game got under way at 10.32am and after 5 minutes Bedgrove took the lead with a simple goal scored when the ball was played across the face of the Hithercroft goal and touched into the net by the Bedgrove No.8. At 10.56 Bedgrove went 2-0 ahead when Dan Biggs attempted to clear the ball but it rebounded from a Bedgrove player and was tapped into the net by another player who had followed in. Four minutes later Bedgrove sent in a long high ball from the right and Dan Reading was unable to gather it giving the opposition an easy tap home for a 3-0 lead. At 11.04 Bedgrove’s No.8 went down the right and crossed the ball for their No.4 to deliver it into an open goal and increasing the home team’s lead. Another 8 minutes passed before Bedgrove gained their fifth goal following neat inter-passing between players before their No.10 hit the ball diagonally across the goal into the right-hand side, leaving Dan Reading stranded on his line. The first half ended at 11.13 and it was apparent that Bedgrove were a very skilful and well-drilled side.

The game resumed at 11.20 and Bedgrove immediately went on the attack, their No.19 having a shot that made Dan pull of a good save. Rain began to fall and it became a heavy downpour for the remainder of the game. At 11.31 Bedgrove scored their sixth goal but six minutes later Hithercroft’s Dan Davy took the ball downfield, jinked past a couple of defenders and shot the ball home to bring the scoreline to 6-1. Tyrone Francis then had an opportunity, taking the ball round two Bedgrove defenders but hit his shot just wide of the post. At 11.45 the referee awarded a penalty to Bedgrove, the reason not being established, and their No.19 made no mistake with his effort. There followed a booking of Mark Sadler for something that he was supposed to have said to the referee, and then Dan Biggs was red-carded for telling the referee that it had been him (and not Mark) that had used bad language. At 11.49 the referee again awarded a penalty to the home team (again for reason unknown) and the Bedgrove No.7 made the score 8-1. Three minutes later Bedgrove attacked and sent the ball across the goalmouth where Tyrone, attempting to clear the ball, pushed it into his own net. Hithercroft then set off downfield, Tyrone crossing the ball inside to Luke Tadgell who attempted to lift the ball over the keeper but had applied insufficient force, allowing the keeper to scramble back and prevent the ball from crossing the line. At 11.55 Bedgrove sent the ball down the middle and scored their tenth goal, following that up one minute later with another, sending the ball into the corner of the net beyond Dan’s dive. The final whistle was blown at 12.00 giving Bedgrove an 11-1 win and securing their place in the Cup Final .

Bedgrove had been the superior team throughout the game and look like League Cup winners, judging by this performance. The Cup Final will be played at Marlow on 2nd May against Towersey Boys.

Update: The Cup Final Result was Bedgrove Dynamos 5 Towersey Boys 0