Bardsey 0 Bedale AFC Reserves 1

THE Harrogate & District Association Football League restarted its season on Saturday, April 10 after the Government’s relaxation of the latest lockdown regarding grassroots football.

Bedale Reserves, who played their last game on December 12, 2020, travelled to Bardsey in the Colin Lowe Memorial Premier Division looking for their first win of the season.

Manager David Proud had a full squad of 16 players to choose from, including himself, and ahead of kick off, he told the squad that he wanted to give all players as much game time as possible.

Bedale started off strongly and had a lot of possession, with Bardsey being forced into some hasty clearances. After eight minutes, a Sam McNaughton free kick from the left wing was met by Jonny Saving, but Bardsey 'keeper Will Beddhard saved comfortably.

On 12 minutes Bardsey nearly took the lead with their first real attack of the game. A Bardsey player received the ball in the Bedale penalty area and scuffed his shot, which somehow hit the outside of the Bedale goal post and bounced clear with 'keeper Jordan Aspinall beaten.

After 24 minutes Bedale put themselves under pressure when Reece Bickerton's back pass from almost on the halfway line had Aspinall scrambling back to turn the ball over his bar, but after 33 minutes Bedale had the ball in the Bardsey goal.

James Kitchingman's long through ball fell to Sam Vernalls, who lobbed Beddhard from fully 30 yards – only to be ruled offside. Bedale were retaining possession and defending well with the defence of Michael Ingram, McNaughton, Kitchingman and Josh Fullarton looking really strong.

The midfield was also on form, with Charlie Coulson and Callum Fletcher in the centre, Saving out wide right and John Henry wide left. Bickerton was playing in front of the midfield and just behind centre forward and captain Vernalls. Half time 0-0.

At half time, Proud made two changes, bringing on Jack Jennings for McNaughton and Mikey Stevens for Bickerton. Bedale started the second half still in control. In a flurry of substitutions, Adrian Woodward (AJ) replaced Coulson, Joe Tosh replaced Kitchingman, Proud replaced Fletcher and Bickerton returned to replace Saving.

Immediately Bedale took the lead when Proud played a one-two with Vernalls before crossing the ball from the right to AJ, who headed the ball past Beddhard, and followed up to fire the ball into the roof of the Bardsey net.

Bardsey hit back, and in their next attack, Ingram sustained a leg injury, with McNaughton replacing him.

With ten minutes to go, Bardsey were awarded a penalty when McNaughton was adjudged to have fouled a Bardsey player, but Bailey Roberts shot wide, and the game finished 1-0 to Bedale.

Cam Hart was Bardsey’s man of the match with Reece Bickerton taking it for Bedale.

  • Bedale AFC Reserves' next game is at home to Harlow Hill Firsts in the Colin Lowe Memorial Premier Division of the Harrogate & District Association Football League on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.