Long Crendon got back to league duty on Saturday, and travelled to Bedgrove Dynamos. Bedgrove have struggled so far this season and the relegation candidates sit at the bottom of the table, having only collected 2 points all season prior to today.

Saturday saw us welcome back Gaz Goodchild in between the sticks, his first game since the 6-0 win at Haddenham in preseason. This meant George Collingwood filled in at right back for the depleted first team squad with the ever-present Zak Wiggins away. Dino Bonwick and Ben Sykes were also both unavailable, meaning Callum Ayoola made his second start at left back with Nathan Brownsword and Scott Hardy in between.

Tom Sykes was absent from midfield, so the formation shifted to 4-4-2, with Eliot Farley and Chris Scott retaining their usual positions on the wing, and Alex Farley and Matt Wakelin in the centre. The two up top were Ryan Scott and Luca Forchione, with Archie Pettingell still out with a knee injury. Ben Thomas and Liam Gabard were on the bench.

With conditions similar to the last time we played on this pitch, a 5-1 win against Bedgrove United, we were again in for a tough half as we kicked off into the wind.

Bedgrove got the ball rolling, and started brightly for a team still looking for their first win. The drama started in only the first minute, with Nathan Brownsword involved. Picking up a goal the last time he played on this pitch, today took a slightly different turn. Chasing back a long ball, he felt discomfort in his hamstring after clearing his lines in the corner. Playing on for a few more minutes, he knew his part in the game was over with Liam Gabard coming on in his place. Captain Matt Wakelin moved back into defence alongside Scott Hardy, and Liam Gabard joined Alex Farley in the centre.

For all their early pressure, Bedgrove then took an early deserved lead. The advanced Bedgrove left back seemed to have all the time in the world to pick out a cross, and delivered a low ball into the box. With no Long Crendon player wanting to touch it in case of a deflection, the ball found its way through the crowd of players and inside the far post.

Long Crendon needed to respond, and did so within seconds of kick off. The ball was played from centre to Callum Ayoola, who played it straight back forward into the feet of Ryan Scott. Gaining a yard on his defender, Ryan Scott typically hit a long-range drive with power, and it flew into the net giving the goalkeeper no chance. The perfect response and Bedgrove’s lead lasted no more than a minute.

Bedgrove would keep up the pressure though with the next three chances coming their way. The first came from a corner, with the Bedgrove captain smashing a header against the bar, yet Long Crendon eventually cleared. The next chance involved our captain, who tackled strongly on the Bedgrove winger who was seemingly clean through. The strong tackle was a brilliant one, yet the winger landed awkwardly and had to go off injured soon after. Having come close from the corner, Long Crendon should have been more aware of the threat they posed from set pieces. A freekick was brilliantly whipped in and was finished by a Bedgrove player to put them 2-1 up.

Up against it though, Long Crendon still had goals in them. Chris Scott came close when he connected brilliantly with a left footed volley, only to see his effort just fly past the post. Ryan Scott then dragged a shot just wide, which Luca Forchione was agonisingly close to converting at the back post. But our equaliser came through Callum Ayoola and Ryan Scott linking up again, with Ryan Scott flicking on a header, which Luca Forchione was first to react to. The chase was on between Luca and the Bedgrove goalkeeper, though there was only going to be one winner and Luca slid in to finish to draw us level again just before the break.

Long Crendon, who had been pinned in during every throw in and goal kick, welcomed the second half. It was the away side’s turn to put the pressure on. Eliot Farley and Chris Scott were finally seeing more of the ball and becoming more and more of a threat on the wings. However it was Callum Ayoola who was again involved, playing a ball down the line for the onrushing Alex Farley. Driving towards goal, he delicately lobbed the short home goalkeeper with the outside of his boot from a tight angle to put Long Crendon in the lead for the first time in the game.

Next it was the turn of his brother Eliot Farley to influence proceedings. A ball was played into his feet just inside the box, yet the Bedgrove number 7 seemingly had his arms around Eliot and dragged him to the floor before he could receive it. All of this happened right under the referees’ nose, and he did not hesitate to give the penalty. George Collingwood willingly stepped up, and confidently scored on his first outfield start for the club.

Two goals to the good, Long Crendon seemed to be in complete control, yet a lapse in concentration let Bedgrove back into the game. Again, another Bedgrove cross was not fully dealt with. Although a poor cross, the striker was first to react and finished at the near post, seeming to claw Bedgrove back into the game.

Tempers were starting to get out of hand as Bedgrove were pinned back in their own half. The Bedgrove captain picked up a yellow card, before being subbed off shortly after. Next it was the turn of the Bedgrove centre back, although the referee kept his name out of the book. What he did lose was his concentration, and shortly after he gifted Long Crendon their fifth. A mix of his poor touch and good pressure from Ryan Scott saw the latter rob him just outside the 18-yard box. Our number 7 then had no troubles finishing it off, deservedly scoring his second of the game.

Full time and the result see’s us move to the top of the table, albeit only by playing more games. But 3 more points keeps the pressure on those other teams, and next week we return to cup duty away at Long Marston.