Report by Jools Thomas

FC’s bid for promotion to the Southern League Premier ended on a disappointing night at Haywood Way as visitors Bedworth United progressed thanks to two quick fire goals, one a penalty, which left the Moles just too much to do. Bedworth seemed to have a plan and whilst it wasn’t pretty at times, it was certainly effective. In all honesty this wasn’t a classic game from either side’s point of view. Keepers were rarely troubled and crosses were often cut out by towering defenders and attacked blocked by wily full-backs.

Bedworth made the sharper opening. Jamie Ashmore had the first effort within the opening few minutes however his shot sailed over the bar when in a good position. On nine minutes Adam Logie might have benefitted if Aston Goss’ cross had been more accurate. At the other end Ashmore’s full back partner Luke Rowe found space in the FC box but again it was a wild slash at the ball and the effort was wasted.

Gareth Price was an FC man who really looked up for the occasion and one of his many runs ended in a decent curling effort which away keeper Denham Hinds gathered at his left hand post. Dave Deeney and striker Alex Naughton had a battle all evening and Dave conceded a freekick in a dangerous area however the FC wall held firm and the chance came to nothing.

On the half hour the dangerous Naughton attempted an audacious chip which FC keeper James Weatherill judged perfectly by timing a run and blocking with his hands for the first clear cut chance of the game. Ben Steine again tried to chip Weatherill a few moments later, the young FC keeper was beaten but on this occasion the ball cleared the bar.

As the half came to an end FC created one or two chances for themselves. An impressive 40 yard run and shot by Price saw his shot hit over the bar and dead on half time a Danny Murphy corner scraped the stanchion of post and bar with Price failing to make a true connection for the second ball.

The second half started dramatically when Ben Stevens was adjudged to have brought down striker Ben Steine for a penalty. Weatherill had saved the last four penalties faced he was unsuccessful here as Naughton put the penalty away with ease. The match was starting to be punctuated with delays. There had been bookings in the first half and these continued in the second as Bedworth players, both the man and teammates, reacted often over zealously to innocuous tackles, thereby placing the referee in difficult positions. These tactics not only broke up any flow to the game but also placed FC men on guard, for any further misdemeanours could result in a sending off.

A second goal was not long in arriving. Club stalwart Ben Stevens and Weatherill seemed to leave the ball to each other and in nipped Danny Creaney who nipped in to tuck the ball into the net much to the delight of the handful of travelling Bedworth fans.

With just over twenty minutes to play, FC were handed a lifeline. Bradley Wadkins was held back as he advanced into the box. A penalty was awarded which Aston Goss, under pressure, swept home without too much difficulty. As FC searched for an equaliser, they might have had a little more luck as Daniel Murphy’s free kick was safely collected by the keeper on 74 minutes.

As injury time approached FC had three first chances which really summed the impact they had had on the visitor’s goal. Firstly Murphy put in a teasing cross which the keeper gathered under pressure. Secondly Aston Goss just failed to connect with another Murphy cross and with the last kick of the game substitute Jamie Rudd found space on the edge of the box however he couldn’t get a true connection on the ball hitting his effort at Hinds.