Tulips Secure Back-To-Back Win With Epic Victory At Bedworth

Two hugely impressive wins in two days have seen the stock price of management & players alike soar!...

For the second time in as many days the Tulips turned in a stellar performance, this time to dent the progress of Bedworth United’s push for promotion, writes Ray Tucker.

In glorious sunshine they repeated the fluent style which earned a tremendous 8-1 victory at Gresley FC the previous Thursday evening to complete the double over their Warwickshire hosts (having won 2-1 at the Sir Halley Stewart in early September), although having to come from behind to take all three points.

Ben Davison (32 mins), Daniel Brooks (38 mins, penalty) and substitute Jonny Lockie (63 mins) with his first touch of the ball, after replacing the impressive Cenk Acar, were on the mark for the Tulips after the home team had broken the deadlock with a 24th minute strike by Kyle Minto.

The game, however, had its downside with two home club supporters escorted from the ground after shouting offensive comments to Tulips’ Kern Miller and the home team’s Iyseden Christie, an unsavoury episode which resulted in play being held up and referee Andrew Ellis initiating a total of 15 minutes of added time.

Bedworth scored their second goal in the 12th minute of this extended period, with a penalty, but with the seconds ticking away the final whistle was blown straight after the restart.

Both goals were under early pressure with Michael Duggan saving at point blank range from Luke Keen, and at the other end Daniel Crane parried a long throw by James Hugo and reacted swiftly to gather the ball and clear his area.

Minutes later Danny Brooks blasted the ball over the home bar after connecting with a neat flick on by Acar. Conor Marshall had a good effort go just wide before Bedworth grabbed the lead following a total defensive mix-up which left Kyle Minto with an easy conversion.

However, it brought an immediate response from the Tulips with another deep throw by Hugo which found the head of Ben Davison to turn in the ball at the near post.

With pressure maintained in the home half the Tulips got their noses in front just six minutes later. Acar went on one of his ducking and weaving runs before being stopped, unfairly, in his tracks inside the 18-yard area. Danny Brooks made no mistake with the resulting penalty, something he'll be chuffed with having missed a spot-kick at Gresley days before.

Early in the second half Elliott Parrott fired a good shot just wide of Duggan’s goal, but it was the Tulips who were soon celebrating a third goal. Teenagers Scott Lloyd and Luke White, who both contributed superbly to the team's success, were involved in the movement which provided the opportunity for 18 year-old Jonny Lockie to score with his first touch of the ball after joining the action.

The game lost some momentum following the enforced halt in play as the game entered its final quarter but re-ignited with Danny Brooks again testing ‘keeper Crane and Michael Duggan saving bravely at feet in a packed Tulips area.

A tangle of arms and legs between Neal Spafford and Christie resulted in a penalty being awarded to the home side which Alex Troke despatched with just minutes of the game remaining.

Tulips: Michael Duggan, Scott Floyd, James Hugo, Conor Marshall, Ellis Humble, Neal Spafford, Kern Miller, Danny Brooks, Ben Davison (Jack Fixter, 92 mins), Luke White (Haydn Havard, 90mins), Cenk Acar (Jonny Lockie, 62 mins). Subs (not used): Gary King, Alex Smith.

Tulips' Man-of-the-Match: Danny Brooks

Att: 191