Bedford battle back to salvage a draw

Bedford were again without the services of Eli Priston and Connie Mason (sidelined with broken thumbs) as well as the unavailable Sam Turner and Verity Mason-McLeod. Harri Kinnear and Claire Higginson were back in the Bedford squad who due to snow in Kent, did not play the previous weekend.

Fellow title challengers Wapping made a very bright start and enjoyed the lion’s share of first half territory, always trying to use their rangey, disguised passes to make inroads. Wapping played a high press and their half backs got forward to good effect. Bedford were working hard to nullify the Wapping attacking intent and with good work from Claire Higginson and Pippa Jones were starting to make some turnovers in the press. Kate Costin tested the Wapping keeper’s reactions with a snapshot whilst left back Kinnear popped up on the baseline to send a testing ball across the face of goal which just evaded Charlotte Holland at the back post. Generally however Bedford were sloppy in possession and the Londoners first to the fifty- fifty balls although little troubled Leanne Sargeant in the Bedford goal until mid-way through the first half. Wapping were awarded a penalty corner and ran their trusty left slip corner option and although Bedford knew what was coming, they were hapless to stop a back post tip in to give them a deserved 1-0 half time lead.

Coach Tom Hewitt called for calmness and belief at half time and the second half performance was much improved. Beth Noble and SJ Darrington were able to get forward much more frequently from half back while MOTM Jenna Maclaren and Rachel Jackson at centre backs were making some timely physical tackles to give Bedford renewed impetuous. Despite this renewed vigour, Bedford found themselves 2-0 down in slightly freakish circumstances when a Wapping player lashed the ball at goal and a forward got a deflection with her hand and the ball flew into the net.

Bedford’s midfield rallied and drove them forward with Emma Pinny switching roles with Becca Budd in a tactic which seemed to pay dividends for the home side. After Noble made good ground in a persistent break down the left in a move also involving Holland and Holyoak, the ball rebounded off the keeper and Costin was on hand to snaffle the rebound home. Bedford were creating opportunities from short corners with captain Jackson denied by a fine low save from the Wapping keeper, before a well-rehearsed routine saw Steph Holyoak neatly convert to bring Bedford back on level terms. It was now Bedford with the wind in their sails but time was running out and Wapping were defending very strongly and threatening on the counter attack. There was just time for some late drama as Bedford conceded a last gasp short corner and then the final whistle followed. As Wapping won in these exact circumstances at the Olympic Park 3-2, Bedford were keen to avoid a repeat and fortunately were able to get out quickly to the slip and clear the danger for a share of the spoils. The result leaves Bedford 3 points clear at the top but with two games in hand over second placed Ipswich. Next week the maroons face another tough test as Cambridge University are in town with the push back 1pm at Chester Road.