Real Bedford have found out who they will face in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup as they embark on their latest journey in the world’s oldest knockout cup competition.
They will face fellow Southern League Premier Central side, Bishop’s Stortford in what is a tough draw, but they do have home advantage, with the clash taking place on Saturday 30 August at the Ledger Stadium.
Real Bedford have had a mixed start to life at step three in Southern League Premier Central after a win, a draw and a loss from their first three games, including most recently an agonising 3-2 loss at Halesowen Town on Saturday (16 August).
Read: Real Bedford suffer first defeat after conceding late winner at Halesowen
Stortford meanwhile have scored three wins from three after victories against Bromsgrove Sporting, Stamford and a 6-1 mauling of AFC Sudbury.
The Pirates, courtesy of their promotion, have already beaten last season’s performance in the FA Cup, when they suffered a rare home defeat against St Neots Town, then of the United Counties Premier Division South, in the extra preliminary round.
Manager, Rob Sinclair called Saturday’s loss against Halesowen “part of the learning process”, and will hope to see his side bounce back against Kettering Town this coming Saturday (23 August), before hosting the Bishops the following weekend.
What about the other Bedford Borough sides?
One of the borough’s sides are already out of the FA Cup; Kempston Rovers are one of 334 teams already unceremoniously dumped out in the extra preliminary round after losing 5-0 at fellow Spartans South Midlands Premier Division side, Arlesey Town.
Rovers have struggled in the early stages of their league season, picking up just one point from their opening four games but are very much in a transition period and playing with a young and inexperienced squad at Hillgrounds.
Bedford Town of the National League North can relax on the cup front, as teams in the sixth tier of English football enter the FA Cup in the second qualifying round, and need to win just three games to reach the main draw and the potential of a lucrative trip to a Football League club.
Both Real and the Eagles are also entered into the FA Trophy, with Real Bedford entering the competition in the third qualifying round, while Bedford Town have the luxury of entering the competition in the second round proper.
For now, Bedford Town’s focus is on the league after one draw and a defeat ahead of tomorrow’s home clash against fellow promoted side, AFC Telford at The Eyrie (19 August).
