Both Bedford Town and Real Bedford were in FA Trophy 3rd qualifying round action on Saturday afternoon but succumbed to convincing losses as their involvement in the competition was stopped in its tracks in comfortable fashion.
Bedford Town, in such good form of late since their new 3G pitch was unveiled, lost 5-1 at home to Isthmian Premier League side Hendon, while Real Bedford were also defeated in simple fashion, 3-0 at Bowers and Pitsea of the same division.
First half hat trick ends contest
Bedford Town are up to second in Southern League Premier Central after three wins on the bounce but that winning run was halted by an impressive Hendon side when cup action came calling at The Eyrie.
And it was one man who did the majority of the damage.
After the away side’s opener was cancelled out for offside, they were ahead just moments later as Kai Omoko Brosnan slotted past Macdonald from the edge of the area, with the same player scoring a similar goal just before the break to double the Hendon lead.
Bedford Town may have been able to regroup from 2-0 down at the interval but Brosnan completed his hat trick in first half stoppage time as his cross-cum-shot evaded everyone and ended up in the net via the far post.
When Billie Busari made it four just seconds into the second period by blocking a Macdonald clearance that rebounded into the Bedford goal, it looked to be bordering embarrassment territory.
Ryan Blake did get a consolation for Town just after the hour mark after smart interplay with Dejon Noel-Williams but Niko Muir secured the thumping victory for Hendon with the visitors’ fifth late on to end a dismal afternoon for the Eagles.
Real also struggle
Real Bedford perhaps had the excuse that they were playing a side in the step above as they travelled to Bowers and Pitsea, also of the Isthmian Premier Division, but they too came away with nothing.
Alex Teniola’s first half double was followed up with TQ Addy adding a third, and it could have been more had the home side not hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions.
Bowers had a great opportunity to take the lead inside ten minutes when Alfie Evans took the ball around Tyler McGregor but only found the post when he pulled the trigger.
It mattered not, as five minutes later Bowers and Pitsea did have the breakthrough; TQ Addy’s excellent cross finding Teniola to tap home.
In the blink of an eye, the lead was doubled as Lewis Chambers dispossessed Real in a dangerous area and cut the ball back for the confident Teniola who slotted home.
He could also have had a first half hat trick had the crossbar not been in his way, but when Addy converted a second half penalty, the tie was done and dusted with the Essex side securing their place in the first round proper.
Back to league action
For the Eagles and the Pirates, its back to the main event and impressive starts in their respective divisions.
Bedford Town face a tough game against the only side ahead of them in the table in Stamford and will look to put this abject performance behind them as they look to gain an incredible lead at the summit of the seventh tier.
Real Bedford, third in Southern League Central Division One, are back at the Ledger Stadium as they host seventh-placed, Thame United.
Both games kick off at 3pm on Saturday 12th October.
