Beaconsfield SYCOB 2
Newport (IoW) 2
CASH-strapped Rams signed off their time in the Southern League with a disappointing draw at home to Newport on Saturday, April 28, after throwing away a two-nil half-time lead. Goalkeeper Jon Ashwood gifted a penalty to the visitors in stoppage time.
Beaconsfield have not scored three times in any league match this season.
But Gavin James gave a fine display up front, bagging two goals. His first came after 11 minutes when he coolly rounded the keeper to fire home.
James was unlucky soon after when he lobbed Sim in the Newport goal but his effort went wide.
He was a constant threat as the Rams took complete control of the first half, and in the 40th minute his cross following a surging run went straight in to give them a two-goal advantage at the break.
However, the Islanders were in no mood to finish the season with a defeat to the bottom side. They clawed one back when Dyer sent in a cross that the unfortunate Gavin Smith headed into his own net.
Rams looked as if they would hang on to the points until a moment of madness in the 90th minute. Ashwood came out for and collected a cross but for some reason thought he had been fouled and proceeded to push Tigwell to the ground, thus causing a melee.
A penalty was awarded and Ashwood was lucky to stay on the pitch. Ashley Wright duly converted the spot kick in stoppage time.
The news filtered through that Hanwell had beaten Didcot to confirm Beaconsfield finishing bottom of the league.
Avoiding the drop was always going to be a tough task for team boss Paul Pitfield, who took over in February following the resignations of Steve Payton and John Thirkell.
They had called it a day due to a combination of poor results and lack of budget, having taken over earlier in the season after the departure of Simon Delahunty.
The Rams pinned their hopes on Pitfield’s vast knowledge of the local scene to help them survive as a club, let alone stay in the Southern League.
Acting chairman Paul Hughes said: “I’m disappointed we’re relegated after working so hard to get to this level – but it was more important that the club survives. We can’t live beyond our means.”
He hopes that with further re