Four second half goals, including a brace for the prolific Leon Lobjoit, helped Bedford Town to a superb 4-0 home win against fellow title contenders, Stamford in front of a busy Eyrie crowd on Non-League Day.
In what was a 4th vs 5th clash before the first whistle, Bedford Town now occupy second place in Southern League Premier Central, level on points with league leaders, Halesowen Town.
On a weekend where most eyes were on Kettering’s clash with Telford, the Eagles made sure to keep pace in the tussle for automatic promotion at the top, ruthlessly dissecting fellow top five side, Stamford.
At Latimer Park, Kettering Town and Telford shared the spoils after a stoppage-time equaliser salvaged a point for the home side, who now sit in third having once been the division’s runaway leaders.
Having been bailed out in their last two matches by a couple of last-gasp Lobjoit penalties, Bedford were seeking to re-energise their claim as title contenders in this one.
Barring the door to an essential three points for Bircham’s side was a Stamford team who had three wins from their previous three and a tenuous grip on the final play-off position.
The first half of the game reflected how minuscule the margin of error was for both teams. It was a tentative opening forty-five minutes with neither team willing to commit numbers forward in fear of being countered.
The Eagles’ talisman Leon Lobjoit came the closest with a vicious effort from range, forcing a heroic block from Jordon Cooke to keep the honours even.
Stamford had very little to say for themselves in an attacking capacity, struggling to get a clear sight at the goal of Jonathan Macaulay, who joined Bedford Town on loan from Watford earlier this week after Jameson Horlick was recalled by Luton Town.
In fact, had Macaulay been absent from his goal throughout the game, one would have seldom noticed.
While that is a testament to the defensive solidity of the Eagles, it also serves as an indictment of Stamford’s attacking ability, or rather the lack thereof.
Half time was a welcome break for both sides when it arrived, and if the words Bircham had for his players from the touchline in the first half were a taster for their halftime show, the Eagles players were in for an onslaught in the changing rooms.
Whether they were admonished during the break or not, the Bedford Town players reascended the pitch an entirely rejuvenated group.
Less than five minutes into the second half, the home side took a priceless lead.
Eagles soar home
Having earned the corner, Lewis Hilliard hurriedly took it short to the edge of the box for Junior Gymafi who strode onto the ball and fired a ferocious effort against the crossbar.
Lurking in the box to roll in the rebound was Leon Lobjoit with his 23rd goal of the season.
In response, Stamford became more lethargic than they had been, with Bedford’s goal seemingly taking more wind out of Stamford’s already sedentary sails.
The Eagles’ predatorial instincts kicked in, sensing the opportunity to bolster their goal difference – a stat that could become key come the final day.
Their second arrived with 22 minutes of normal time remaining – and from an unlikely combination. An Eddie Panter cross was guided back across the box by the head of Carl Mensah to be slotted home by fellow defender, Jack Davies.
Stamford’s dejection was evident and their various substitutions served only to make the Daniels’ side even more disjointed.
In merciless fashion, Lobjoit dispatched a third five minutes from time.
Gyamfi released him through on goal before lofting it deftly over Thomas Jackson to load on the misery for Stamford. Many in red began to filter out after the third, in hopes of beating the Eyrie traffic before embarking on their return trip to Lincolnshire.
Bedford however were yet to finish their drubbing. A sumptuous curling strike from late substitute, Bruno Andrade placed a glossy seal on an accomplished second-half Eagles exhibition.
A foray eastward is next on the cards for Bedford Town as they travel to Leiston, a side who like many others, are still in with an outside shout of claiming the last playoff position.
The reverse of this fixture saw two red cards and an Eagles winner deep into injury time as Bedford Town won 4-3; one of many sensational matchdays at The Eyrie this season.
