Match Report

Bewdley Town 6 v Bloxwich Utd AFC 0

This was a game that Bloxwich wanted to forget in a hurry as Bewdley gave them their biggest thrashing of the season, with a 6-0 drumming, to let them know who is the best contender for promotion to the Midland Alliance.

Bloxwich had been sitting comfortable at the top for a long time this season, and for this first meeting of the season, general expectation was this was going to be a tight affair, and it was for the opening 20 minutes, that was until Ryan McAllister, of Bloxwich, saw red after a clash with Chris Hough and threw a punch, giving the referee no choice but to order him of the pitch.

Bewdley took the lead 10 minutes later when Richard Burgess received the ball on the halfway line, rounding 3 players and slotting the ball into the bottom left with ease, and just before the break doubled their lead when defender Shaun Wright latched on to a Dan Ludlow corner to power a header in for a perfect 15 minute break.

The second half saw Bloxwich dominate the opening 5 minutes to try and get back in the game, but Bewdley soaked up the pressure then completely dominated the rest of the game. The Bloxwich keeper was kept busy as shots were fired in from Chris Hough, Lewis Pountney and Left back Gary Middleton.

Bewdley made their first substitution, bringing on Mike Carter, who had an immediate impact on the game as 3 goals were scored in less than 10 minutes.

The first, on 74 minutes, belonged to the substitute as he bravely dived to head the ball in from 4yds with a cross provided by Middleton. 5 minutes later and Dan Ludlow hounded the ball off Bloxwich defender Jamie Vaughn, and with only the keeper to beat smashed it into the back of the net. Straight from the re-start, Bewdley pinched the ball, and again Middleton was the provider with Burgess getting his second of the game.

Every time Bewdley got the ball, they looked dangerous and always a threat of scoring. On 90 minutes Mike Carter got his second of the game with a thumping 20yd shot that left the keeper rooted to the spot.

In this form Bewdley must be favourites to take their next step up to the Midland Alliance league.

Come on!!!!

Paul Lacey

Match Reporter

07940 484332

Saturday 28th February 2009

BEWDLEY TOWN 6 v DARLASTON TOWN 1

Bewdley’s automatic promotion prospects were greatly improved as they dominated this game with a first class football display. A hatrick from Lewis Pountney, a first goal from new signing Adam Hazeldine, and further goals from Richard Burgess and Craig Webb kept them in second place, 4 points behind league leaders Bloxwich, with a game in hand.

The visitors never looked comfortable from the start as Bewdley forced the attack and were defending vigorously with the onslaught of shots coming their way. In fact had the shots been on target the score-line could have been a lot worse for Darlington. On 10 minutes, Bewdley midfielder Steve Holt, made a solo run through the middle of the pitch and fired a shot from 20yds which soared above the cross bar. Further attempts by Lewis Pountney and Chris Webb were also off target. But on 34 minutes Bewdley’s pressure finally paid off as a free kick from Dan Ludlow smashed off the visitors wall to Bewdley’s Chris Hough who crossed to Richard Burgess who slotted the ball into the bottom right corner. You could sense the relief on the players faces as they celebrated, as they must have been wondering when the goal was going to come. It was a surprise that the score line was still 1-0 going into the break as Bewdley squandered chance after chance. Darlaston best chances came from striker Shaun Puch who only got frustrated as his shots missed the target.

Whatever the Bewdley management said in the dressing room, it must have been something like, “hit the target lads and we’ve got this game sealed”?

As from the re-start 4 goals were scored in the first 15 minutes.

Lewis Pountney got his first on 52 minutes when he latched on to a Dan Ludlow free kick at the back post and headed across goal giving the keeper no chance.

2 minutes later however, Bewdley’s Gavin Smith stuck a leg out in the box and fouled Darlaston’s Anthony Fellows, giving the referee no choice but to blow for a penalty. Fellows took the spot kick, smashing it into the bottom left and at least giving his team a chance to get back into the game. Bewdley gave them no chance as immediately from the re-start Dan Ludlow ran down the left wing, round his defender and drilled the ball across the 6yd box for Pountney to neatly flick it past the keeper to get his second on 55 minutes. 3 minutes later, and this time Burgess ran down the right wing to fire a cross into the box for Pountney to secure his hat trick with another header.

Darlaston couldn’t get into the game and further goals from Chris Webb and Adam Hazeldine secured this impressive win.

Bewdley entertain Wolverhampton Casuals in the League Cup on Wednesday before entertaining Lye Town on Saturday in a busy calendar of 8 games this month.

Match Reporter

Paul Lacey

07940 484332

Bewdley power into Urn final

10:04am Thursday 19th February 2009

LEWIS Pountney grabbed a hat-trick as Bewdley Town FC trounced Alvechurch 4-1 to power into the final of the Worcestershire Senior Urn on Wednesday night, despite a power loss at Ribbesford Meadows near the end of the game.

Town made a mockery of their West Midlands League Premier Division status by out playing Midlands Alliance pacesetters Alvechurch.

In fact, the biggest threat of making it to the final was the club's power generator stopping late in the second half, which was fixed after five minutes.

Town will now play Studley, who saw off Lye Town in the last four, in the final at Aggborough in April.

Chris Hough got the ball rolling when he opened the scoring with a fierce 20-yard effort.

Pountney had some fortune for Bewdley's second when a cross came off his leg and flew into the back of the net.

Dan Ludlow turned provider in the second half and Pountney headed home to make it 3-0.

Alvechurch pulled a goal back but the game was interrupted when the floodlights went off.

When power was restored Pountney made sure of victory and his hat-trick with another header.

Town are still chasing glory in the JW Hunt Cup, League Cup and Premier Division.

Jointed manager Craig Payton said: "This is a brilliant achievment. Like Manchester United we're on course to win four trophies this season.

"We've reached the final of one and are in contention in the others.

"When the lights went out we were worried because it's never happened before, but thankfully we got the generator started again after five minutes."

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