TERRIERS FAIL TO FIND BREAKTHROUGH
By Dave Anderson

Bedlington Terriers failed to make good their dominance over their opponents at Welfare Park on Saturday, instead having to recover from a goal deficit to earn a 1-1 draw over struggling Chester-le-Street Town. Skipper Steven Bowey continued his fine recent goalscoring form in equalising for the Terriers late into the second half, cancelling out Nathan Fisher’s 45th minute opener. In truth though, the host’s desire to walk the ball into the net failed to bear fruit against a Chester rearguard which showed great tenacity in the face of almost constant pressure.

The game was overshadowed to an extent, however, by the sadness of the recent deaths of two popular figures on the Northern League scene. Former Terriers player Anthony Lowther died following a short illness which stunned all those who new this much liked gent of the game. Only in his early 30’s, and recently a father, he was diagnosed with Leukaemia just before Christmas, and tragically suffered a fatal stroke during aggressive chemotherapy treatment. Latterly at North Shields, Anth had also played an influential part in Blyth Spartans treble-winning Unibond team a few years ago. His death came as a tremendous shock to all, and the club was heavily represented at his funeral in Wallsend last Thursday.

The second death was in the passing of a legendary figure in the Northern League over several decades. Gordon Nicholson, former Secretary of the League between 1966 and 1990, and later chairman of Evenwood Town, was a huge personality and much-respected figure. Many have personal memories if their experiences of coming into contact with Gordon, and his death sees the League lose another towering character that seem to be increasingly rare in grassroots football.

Respects were paid prior to kick off with an impeccably kept minute’s silence.

It was perhaps a surprise and tribute to the ground staff at Bedlington that the game went ahead at all, given the recent bad weather, and it was even less of a surprise to see the surface cut up badly immediately. This would mean that the game was not going to be a classic, and would not favour the type of slick passing game that the Terriers prefer to play.

Nevertheless, the Terriers did dominate possession, without causing a regular threat on Chester Keeper Ian Aitken’s goal. Indeed the opportunity for the hosts fell after the midway point in the half, when Shandran ran on to a ball over the top, but instead of producing the clinical finish most would have expected, Aitken did well to parry the effort by the Terriers’ top goalscorer. Bowey was on hand to pick up the loose ball, but instead of taking a shot himself, he elected to return the ball to a now offside Shandran.

Minutes later, Southern did wonderfully well to spin on the edge of the area, but his shot was unlucky to hit the bar. Past the half hour, Aitken made an excellent save in tipping Bowey’s curling effort around the upright, and moments later, Poole had an effort blocked at close range. Snowden went agonisingly close with a glanced header from Southern’s in swinging free-kick, but it seemed as Bedlington were not going to get the rub of the green, when Poole had another effort denied by Aitken.

To add insult to injury, Chester proceeded to steal the lead in the final minute of the half. Breaking quickly after another Terriers attack broke down, striker Fisher was played in on goal and he clipped his effort over the advancing Newton just under the bar.

The Terriers continued where they left off, but still looked prone to the quick counter-attack – in fact Chester could have extended their lead on more than one occasion as Bedlington players were left committed forward in search of an equaliser. Both Poole and Southern forced Aitken into making stops, while Bowey’s back heel from Poole’s cross was blocked on the line. The Terriers increasing frustration was demonstrated by Elliott’s caution on the hour mark.

Bedlington made changes in quick succession as they sought a goal, with Sheeran, Talbot and Graham replacing Phillipson, Morton and Snowden respectively. Then finally the goal came with just 11 minutes remaining in the game. Inevitably, it took a stroke of fortune to beat the impressive Aitken, as skipper Bowey’s strike from 25 yards took a deflection off a defender, leaving the Chester stopper wrong-footed.

Sensing that they could yet win the game, the hosts continued to pile forward, with Southern coming close only to see his shot hit the bas of the post, and Sheeran’s follow up held on the line by a grateful Aitken. The second goal failed to materialise, and the Terriers were left to rue an opportunity missed to consolidate their position in the top six of the division.

Terriers were due to visit South Shields on Wednesday night for their League Cup Third Round Tie. This Saturday, sees them make the imposing journey to play League pace-setters Spennymoor Town, who although they beat in the return fixture at Welfare Park, the last time the two sides met, the Moors ran out convincing 5-1 victors in their FA Vase encounter also at Welfare Park.

Another difficult away trip follows next Wednesday as they travel to in form Shildon