Bedford Town beat QPR as confident start to pre-season continues

The new look Bedford Town squad celebrate a goal against Beaconsfield in pre-season for 2024/25
Image: Simon Gill / Bedford Town FC

Lee Bircham’s Bedford Town side beat Queens Park Rangers 3-1 in Hitchin on Friday night as the Eagles’ good start to their pre-season campaign continued at Top Field.

Three first half goals from Leon Lobjoit, new signing Ben Baker and new club captain, Carl Mensah was enough to see off the Championship club’s development side as Bedford Town continued their hot streak in front of goal in these early stages of the new football season.

Hitchin Town’s Top Field is playing host to Bedford Town’s ‘home’ pre-season fixtures as The Eyrie continues its major infrastructure works with a new 3G pitch being installed as well as new floodlights.

Read: Bedford Town announce major ground upgrades at The Eyrie

Home (from home) or away however, Bedford Town have started pre-season on fire after a 5-0 win at Beaconsfield of the Southern League Premier South was complimented by a 9-1 thrashing of former FA Vase winners, Newport Pagnell Town last weekend.

Bedford Town scoring a goal against Newport Pagnell Town in a pre-season friendly for the 2024/25 season
Bedford Town scoring one of nine goals against Newport Pagnell Town Image: Simon Gill / Bedford Town FC

Although Friday night’s 3-1 victory was against the QPR Development side, it still represents a very good victory.

Leon Lobjoit opened the scoring after just eight minutes with a deft header before former Kempston Rovers striker, Ben Baker doubled the lead after twenty minutes.

The striker, who joined in the Summer from Waltham Abbey, capitalised on a poor back pass to slot home past the Rangers goalkeeper, before he turned provider to new captain, Carl Mensah who headed home at the back post from his free kick.

An early second half goal from Rangers became a mere consolation as Town ran out deserved 3-1 winners.

There are still five pre-season fixtures to go, beginning with trips to Harpenden Town, Leverstock Green and Thame United before a similarly tough fixture back at Top Field as Bedford Town face a Watford FC Development side.

AFC Dunstable and a trip to Taunton Town in Somerset complete pre-season before the league season begins on Saturday 10th August, the fixtures for which will be announced on Friday 19th July.

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