Bedlington Terriers visited the Sam Smith's Park on Saturday to begin a run of 5 games against teams above them at the top of the skilltrainingltd Northern League Division One table. Benfield, who had thrashed South Shields 6-1 at Filtrona Park in their previous game, were sure to provide a big challenge for a Terriers team who have been out of sorts in recent weeks. The visitors had shown some kind of reaction the previous Tuesday night; when they came from behind twice to eventually beat North Shields 3-2 after extra time in the Northumberland Senior Cup.

Bedlington were boosted to the bench of David Southern and Steve Bowey, both of whom having passed fitness tests prior to the game. Mark Sheeran, scorer of the winning goal against North Shields retained his starting spot in the team, meaning the Terriers second top scorer and goal assist leader Lee Ludlow had to be content with a place on the bench.

Perhaps as expected, Benfield put the Terriers goal under heavy pressure for much of the opening period of the game. Adam Scope must have thought he was going to put his team in front after 13 minutes, only for his seemingly goal-bound header at the far post from a corner was dramatically cleared of the line by Terriers skipper Snowden.

Moments later, another goal-line clearance was required to deny the hosts, with Christensen performing the heroics this time. Benfield thought they had finally breached the Bedlington rearguard just before the quarter hour mark, only for an offside decision to rule their achievement in putting the ball into the back of the net.

Eventually, the visitors got into the game a little more, with Shandran coming agonisingly close to scoring against the run of play when he was able to round Paxton the Benfield keeper, only for a recovering defender to clear the lines for a corner. Jamie Poole also had a difficult chance to convert on 25 minutes, when Elliott found him at the far post from a superb low cross from the right. However, the ball bounced at a difficult height and the wide player was unable to hit the target.

On the half hour mark, Ben Christensen was yet again his team’s saviour, with another clearance off the line when a goal seemed certain. Benfield were becoming increasingly frustrated at their inability to make good any of the many chances being created. It was rather surprising that the game remained goal-less when the referee blew his whistle for half time.

Whatever the Terriers management team said to the players during the interval seemed to work, because they came out looking like a different team in the opening 20 minutes after the restart. Sheeran capitalised on a defensive mistake within 2 minutes of the second half beginning. He found Shandran who had his shot blocked at close range. This time Benfield were being forced to perform defensive heroics, as Snowden’s header from an Elliott corner was cleared off the line.

Bedlington continued making most of the play, with Sheeran forcing Paxton into making a save from his effort. However, the hosts were still proving to be dangerous in attack, with one such quick counter move ending in a shot just wide of the post. Elliott’s crosses were causing the Benfield defence all kinds of problems, and another played in from the right saw Sheeran reach at full stretch, but ultimately be unsuccessful at turning the ball goalwards.

Another potent weapon at the Terriers disposal was the impressive throwing ability of Michael Hedley. On the hour mark, one such throw deep into the Benfield area saw skipper Snowden’s shot at the second attempt saved low by Paxton. The Terriers finally made good their attacking dominance in the 65th minute from another bullet via the arms of Hedley. Paxton unsuccessfully challenged Snowden for the ball, and Sheeran was the first to respond when it dropped to the ground, firing into the empty net from inside the 6 yards box.

However, instead of this goal spurring the Terriers on into retaining control of the game and securing the points, it seemed to cause increasing nerves in the Bedlington players. This allowed the hosts to get back into the game, as the Terriers players were pushed deeper and deeper into their own half.

In an attempt to freshen up play and relieve some pressure, Bedlington made a double change with just over the ten minutes remaining, with Southern and Bowey replacing Poole and Ascherl respectively. However, it was as if Benfield could smell blood, and with only 6 minutes remaining, they got a deserved equaliser when a seemingly eternal goalmouth scramble was finally settled by Bedlington-born striker Stephen Young firing into the net.

Benfield continued to crank up the pressure, with the late substitution of Sheeran for midfielder Graham not providing any further relief. Elliott picked up a needless caution for dissent in the final minute for kicking the ball away after the award of a free-kick to the hosts.

Despite the disappointment of conceding a late goal, the Terriers management will be honest enough to recognise that a point was the least their hosts deserved out of the game. In fact, great heart can be taken from the 20 minute second half spell when their side played Benfield off the park. The need is to build on this, and with more difficult games in the offing, to deliver a complete performance for a full 90 minutes.

Although the Terriers’ goal was living a charmed life at times, the players can take great heart from a fighting performance which secured a fine point. It was only to get harder though in the short term, as Bedlington were due to end their 7 away game streak on Tuesday night at Hillheads against unbeaten Whitley Bay. The defending FA Vase winners have had an amazing start to their League campaign, having won 40 from a possible 42 points up to this encounter. There were also averaging more than 3.5 goals per game in the process.

This Saturday sees Bedlington finally return to Welfare Park, for the first time since 26th September, when they entertain Penrith. The tough run of games continues on next Wednesday, as second placed Spennymoor Town are the visitors in what will be an intriguing dress rehearsal for their FA Vase encounter at Welfare Park on 14th November.