Bedford Town have advanced to the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup – three rounds away from the main draw – after grinding out a 2-1 victory against Kempston Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
There was much intrigue in local Bedfordshire football circles when the draw came out a couple of weeks ago, with Kempston Rovers boosted by a good cup run and an excellent local derby home draw to boot.
New Kempston manager, Chris Nunn has overseen a superb start to the season for Kempston who sit in fifth in Southern League Central Division One and are a far cry from the team who shipped five twice against Bedford Town last season.
It was the home side who had the better of the first half; in form Ben Baker causing early problems for the Eagles defence, with James Hatch unable to give them the lead with two big chances in the first forty-five minutes.
Bedford Town show their class
Undoubtedly given a boost by manager Gary Setchell in the half-time interval, Bedford Town came out for the second half on the front foot and eventually broke the deadlock through Drew Richardson.
Richardson poked home off the post after the ball pinballed around the area following a corner and the visitors almost made it two soon after, only for Tyrone Lewthwaite to shoot past the far post.
Both teams then hit the woodwork; Ben Baker hitting the foot of Alex Street’s post before Bedford Town went up the other end where Lewthwaite struck the crossbar.
With ten minutes to go, nomadic striker Craig Mackail-Smith seemingly put the tie to bed with a calm finish befitting of his enormous experience to give Town a 2-0 lead, but Pemi Aderoju gave Rovers hope with five minutes to go.
An equaliser was not forthcoming though, as Bedford Town held on to win 2-1 and enter the hat for the next round.
There are plenty of positives for Kempston Rovers to take away from the game; they looked a far more complete side than those who were humbled home and away against their neighbours last season.
Speaking on Twitter after the game, manager Chris Nunn said he was “gutted to lose”, saying, “We had our chances but just not our luck today.”
Next round draw on Monday
Elsewhere, FA Cup debutants Shefford Town and Campton are continuing their epic cup run with a 2-0 away win at Dunstable Town.
However, Potton Town were humbled 5-1 at home against Hendon while Biggleswade FC are also out after losing 2-1 at East Thurrock United.
The draw for the 2nd Qualifying Round is on Monday afternoon at 13:00, with Bedford Town hoping to rekindle dreams of a long cup run and perhaps reach the first-round proper in November.
