"Bucks looking to step up against the Waders in season opener"

Match Date : August 10th, 2024 3:00 pm
Competition : Southern League Premier Central
Ground : Biggleswade Town FC
Kick Off : 15:00

The curtain comes up on the new campaign this weekend, when the Bucks travel to Bedfordshire to take on new boys Biggleswade Town.

Somewhat remarkably, there are three teams from Biggleswade playing between Steps 3 and 5 (Town, United and FC). Town are ranked the highest, though, and they by far the oldest of the three as well. In fact, the Waders are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year.

The Bedfordshire side have certainly so far been enjoying their special year, too. The Waders won the Southern Football League Division One Central title last season, seeing off a late charge by local rivals Bedford Town to clinch the crown on the last day of the season. Biggleswade averaged two points per game last season, as they returned to Step 3 after two campaigns at Step 4.

Relegated from the Southern League Premier Central in 2021-22, the Waders had previously been a comfortable mid-table team at this level who occasionally made a playoff push. On their return to this level, Town will no doubt be hoping to carry their winning momentum into the new season and consolidate at Step 3.

They will have to do so without the input of title-winning co-manager Danny Payne, though, who stepped down over the summer, leaving Jimmy Martin in sole charge. Martin joined the Waders as a coach last summer, before being promoted to joint manager last December. He previously had a short stint as manager of Town’s rivals Biggleswade United in 2018, before taking up a coaching role at then Premier League side Watford.

Martin has had to revamp his squad this summer following the departures of a number of key players. Experienced non-league defender Kieron Forbes left for Hitchin Town, while both captain Luke Andrews and top scorer JJ Lacey departed for Berkhamsted. Lacey also topped the 2023/24 Emirates FA Cup scoring charts with 10 goals, finishing ahead of Erling Haaland, Ellis Simms and Sammie Szmodics, so his goals could well be missed.

However, Biggleswade have brought in a number of new faces who have excellent reputations at Steps  4 and 5. Theo Ofori will be aiming to help fill the void left by Lacey having bagged 14 goals in 26 appearances for Ware last season, while Godlove Oppong (Northwood), Tolu Ikuyinminu (Dunstable Town) and Eddie Panter (Wellingborough Town) offer other new options in attack.

Kevin Wilkin, meanwhile, has been able to retain the vast majority of the squad who finished just three points short of the title last season, with Rhys Hilton, Dior Angus, James Armson and George Burroughs all arriving to bolster the Bucks’ squad.

Saturday’s game at Langford Road will be the first ever meeting between the two sides, and the Bucks will be aiming to kick off the campaign on a positive note.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Ticket prices: Adults £12 | Concession £10 | U16 Free with paying adult

Website: pitchero.com/clubs/biggleswadetownfc

Ground Address: Langford Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 9JT

Please note that there is free car parking at the ground.