United Complete Double - Hadley vs. Biggleswade United

View of the trees at Brickfield Lane

I had a mid morning appointment which restricted how far I could travel and ideally needed a game in London. Fortunately Hadley were at home and recently got round the NIMBYs and were able to return to their own ground in Barnet. They had in recent times being ground sharing at Potters Bar but now had everything in place to return to their own ground. Their opponents in this Spartan South Midlands Premier Division match were Biggleswade United. I'd visited Second Meadow a couple of seasons ago for another South Midlands match with Hanwell Town a couple of seasons ago. Today's match pitted a side who were just above the relegation zone against a team that was in mid table. The reverse fixture was the opening league game of the season and saw Biggleswade win two nil.

Kick off in the drizzle

Hadley gift Biggleswade an early chance when they give the ball away on the edge of the box and the resulting cross is blocked with an arm and when the free kick is taken quickly the keeper is alert to make a good save at his near post. Hadley then have a couple of chances to get the ball into the danger area but both of these come to nothing. After another Hadley attack breaks down, Biggleswade are able to break and the first chance comes to nothing. However, they still have the ball in a dangerous area and the forward is able to get in a powerful shot which beats the goalie at his near post to give the away side the lead. Hadley then put together a good passing move which ends in them winning a corner. From the resulting corner they get a header in on goal which is kept out by an amazing point blank save.

The Biggleswade keeper comes out to claim the ball

The Biggleswade keeper gives the ball away at the start of the second half and the eventual shot is blocked and the worse that happens is they give away a corner. After the first one is cleared, the second one falls to the Hadley player and when his shot is blocked the rebound is slotted home for the equaliser. This sparks Biggleswade into life and they have a couple of half chances. They retake the lead when the forward is able to power through the Hadley defence and he lashes a shot into the top corner to restore the way side's lead. They further extend their lead as a ball in is allowed to bounce and the Biggleswade attacker makes no mistake in hammering the ball home. Hadley get a late second but Biggleswade hang on to complete the double.

Moments before the Hadley equaliser

This was the first new ground in a long time I was able visit using only TFL services. I took the tube to High Barnet which takes about half an hour from town if you take The Victoria Line to Euston and change there for The Northern Line. From High Barnet you can catch the 107 bus to the entrance of Brickfield Lane. In High Barnet itself, The Kings Head was a good bet for the early kick off. Then a little bit out of the town centre, The Black Horse had a good collection of ales as well one of its own (Glory from memory) which was worth trying. Then opposite the bus stop is The Gate which is more of a restaurant but still had a good selection of beers. The clubhouse is a work in progress but had decent beer and sold amazing hot dogs.

Wooden cover down one side of the pitch