Bedworth United 4 v 0 Coleshill Town

[Alan Beckett]

Monday 1st April 2024
Northern Premier League Midland Division
Bedworth United 4 v 0 Coleshill Town
Scorers: Liam Murphy, William Grocott, Leo Stone, Stephan Morley pen.
Attendance: 191.


Teams:
Greenbacks: Liam O'Brien, Christopher Cox (Charlie Donaldson) Luke Rowe, Elliot Parrott, Stephen Morley, Harvey Westwood (Mathew Donaldson), Ryan Moore, Reece Blackmore, Liam Murphy (Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls), William Grocutt, Leo Stone. Subs not used: Ezra Aaron, Dom Rogerro.


Colemen: James Behan, Ben McGuiness, James Bowen (James Spruce), Kane Auld, Niall Rowe, Michael McGrath, Elliot Ball, Gio Dainty (Ewan Edwards), Jonathan Letford (Luke Keen), Alex Tomkinson, Chris Cowley. Subs not used: Harry Higginson, Ryan Snape.


MATCH REPORT
April Fools Day! Well this prank wasn't funny at all!
A local derby, with both sides with little to play for, both in the bottom half of the table but far enough away from the bottom two, but one side was up for the game and one side was definitely not!
Bedworth had already had a couple of chances before they took the lead on 20 minutes with a speculative shot from 17 year old Murphy that somehow managed to find the back of the net despite keeper James Behan getting a hand to it. At 1-0 at half time was a relief as the home side had several chances to increase their lead.
Not much changed in the second half but two quality goals from Grocott and Stone, fabulous dipping shots but the time and space they had was disappointing, and a penalty from Morley gave the scoreline a more realistic look as the Greens had dominated throughout.

Coleshill still have to play three teams in the top five in their four remaining games. They will need to be more "up for it" to get any more points from a miserable season.

Goals from Liam Murphy, Leo Stone, Stephan Morley and a wonder strike from Will Grocott see The Greenbacks cruise to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Coleshill Town.



A VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
A Match Report taken from Bedworth United web site
Bedworth had won 3 of the last 4 games and started the match with confidence and dominating possession and from being on the front foot early on, Liam Murphy had an early opportunity to get on the scoresheet but he glanced his header just wide after a floated cross from Moore.

But the Greenbacks striker didn’t have to wait long to get another chance, and this time he was clinical to give Bedworth the lead. A chipped pass from the back from Stephan Morley was knocked down by Ryan Moore to Murphy, who was given so much time to set him self for a left footed shot from 20 yards that was buried in the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to Bedworth after 20 minutes.

Leo Stone had a number of opportunities to extend The Greenbacks lead, his first being from a tight angle and unleashed a fierce shot on his left but James Behan tipped away from dangerous.

Coleshill had their first chance of the game on 30 minutes and The Greenbacks keeper Liam O’Brien was called into action. Alex Tomlinson found himself unmarked and got his shot away but O’Brien was there to smother from close range.

The Greenbacks reinstated their dominance and came so close to doubling their lead and Murphy’s tally for the afternoon. A lovely flick from academy product Harvey Westwood put through Murphy and the striker waited for the ball to sit up nicely on the volley and his effort looked destined for the bottom corner but a brilliant fingertips save from Behan pushed the ball away for a corner.

Somehow it was still only 1-0 as Bedworth continued to create clear cut chances. Centre back Elliot Parrott should have converted his close range header from a brilliant Luke Rowe set piece but his header went harmlessly over.

Bedworth were so dominant in the first half and really should have had a few more goals to reward their play. Stone again involved as he latched onto a long ball and race through one on one with the keeper but his effort was tame and deal with again by Behan.

Despite having the much superior half, Coleshill came inches away from equalising on the stroke of half time. Elliot Ball’s acrobatic overhead kick bounced off the post and the Bedworth defence were able to clear.

HALF TIME: Bedworth United 1-0 Coleshill Town

Despite only having one goal to show for their first half performance, The Greenbacks made sure that there was no way back for The Colemen, with two brilliantly taken goals within the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Will Grocott made it 2-0 after 50 minutes with an outstanding volley from at least 25 yards to deservedly double Bedworth’s lead. Harvey Westwood set up Grocott, and the Bedworth captain spotted the visitors keeper off his line and went for goal from long range. His volley was brilliantly struck and the ball looped over the keeper and bounced down from the crossbar and over the line, with the referee confirming the ball had crossed the line. A brilliant goal for Grocott, another goal of the season contender following Reece Blackmore’s strike against Sporting Khalsa.

8 minutes later, Bedworth made it 3-0. A short corner routine gave The Greenbacks a two-on-one situation. Leo Stone gave it short to Grocott and with Stone’s movement, got the ball back and struck a fantastic curling shot from the edge of the box and his effort nestled into the top corner. A unbelievable start to the second half for Bedworth United. Credit must also be given to first team coach Jamie Lenton as he noticed the Coleshill defence weren’t ready for a short corner so encouraged Stone to play it quick, resulting in the winger getting his tenth goal of the season.

Grocott was at his best all game and nearly provided an excellent assist. The Bedworth captain dropped into a deeper position which encouraged Chris Cox to make a charging run from midfield into a dangerous position. Grocott timed his lobbed pass to perfection into the path of Cox who got his shot away but hit the side netting.

Things were to get even better for The Greenbacks as the referee awarded the hosts a penalty after one of the Coleshill defenders brought down Murphy who was just too quick for the defender. Stephan Morley who has converted all of his penalties this season for The Greenbacks, confidently stepped up and sent James Behan the wrong way to seal the three points for Bedworth. 4-0 after 65 minutes.

Coleshill did hit the woodwork again, this time through a deflected free kick. Alex Tomlinson ran up and hit his free kick into the wall but the deflection looked like it was looping in but Liam O’Brien reacted sharply to tip the ball onto the bar and was eventually cleared.

The Colemen never really threatened after that and only had long range efforts with the closest coming from Michael McGrath, his shot from 20 yards that dipped just over the bar.

It could have been even better for The Greenbacks as Stuart Storer made a triple substitution, and two of the subs probably should have made it 5-0. Bailey-Nicholls ran through on goal with just the keeper to beat but he cut back with a defender putting him under pressure, forced the forward to drag his shot well wide from close range.

Charlie Donaldson had nearly the exact same chance as Bailey-Nicholls , as Donaldson was through on goal but unlike Bailey-Nicholls, got his shot away early, however his effort drifted just wide of the post which was the last chance of the game.

An overall fantastic result for The Greenbacks who dominated from the first minute to the last. Some great goals and entertaining phases of play resulted in a very good performance and comfortable result.