Bedford Town have reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2009/10 season following Saturday’s 2-1 home victory over fellow National League North side, King’s Lynn Town.
The Eagles turned around an early one-goal deficit with two of their own before half-time; the first of which marked the start of Louie Kudiabor’s goal tally in blue and white.
The Linnets found themselves unable to respond in the second half, with a late red card for Aaron Jones all but sealing their cup exit.
In recent years, King’s Lynn have been the more impressive FA Cup outfit, reaching the second round twice in the last six seasons, beating football league side, Port Vale along the way.
Bedford’s last few FA Cup attempts have been nothing short of dismal; failing to beat a ten-man Dagenham and Redbridge last year and crashing out to Royston Town at the first hurdle the year prior.
However, tales of Eyrie eras past tell another story. Historic replays against Arsenal and deep runs into the fourth round of the competition in the 1950s and 60s dominate Bedford Town’s FA Cup rhetoric.
Hopeful whispers of replicating such feats are as loud as ever as Bedford enter the competition in the second qualifying round, and are now just two games away from the main draw.
All three goals come in the first half
Just two points separate the sides in the league, perhaps an indication of the well-balanced game that would ensue. In typical fashion, the team with two fewer points – King’s Lynn Town – were quicker out of the traps.
It was clear early on that Bedford Town had few solutions for the direct and skilful play of King’s Lynn Town’s talisman, Jesse Nwabueze as he drew foul upon foul in the early knockings for the Linnets.
As the 15-minute mark approached, Nwabueze made another foray forward. He breezed past Eagles right back Tarik Gidaree who was hesitant, having already been cautioned five minutes in.
As the Linnets winger cut back in from the touchline, shaping to shoot, he was hacked down by T’Sharne Gallimore, drawing not just a foul this time but a penalty kick.
Having won the spot kick, Nwabueze stepped up to take it, sending Laurie Walker the wrong way and giving his team what was a valuable lead away from home.
Bedford had had next to nothing in the final third before the goal, but seemed to click into gear after it.
Having woken from their early slumber, the Eagles were on the hunt for an equaliser before the dust had settled on the opener. It took just five minutes for them to do exactly that.
Eno Nto was the architect, as he set off on the left wing looking to deliver a cross for the poorly serviced attacking line.
Nto reached the touchline and pulled it back for Louie Kudiabor. The frontman dispatched it expertly into the bottom right corner, netting his first for the club against the run of play.
While the Eagles showed signs of improvement after their goal, it was still King’s Lynn who looked the tidier of the two teams. The Eagles’ passing looked lackadaisical, giving the ball away in dangerous areas.
On one occasion, the Eagles’ sloppiness almost cost them a goal. Gyamfi gave the ball away cheaply in his own half, presenting a chance for Linnet’s striker Leighton Love, who was denied by Laurie Walker in goal.
Bedford Town played their attacking game in a predatory manner, laying all but dormant for the majority of the game, and pouncing with precision and clinicality when they needed it most.
It therefore comes as no surprise that, with their second chance of the game, they scored their second goal.
It was Gidaree and Josh Castiglione on the right flank who combined to create the goal. A neat one-two between the players gave Gidaree the opportunity to cross into the box.
Kudiabor gave his all to make a slight contact on the cross, helping it on to George Moncur, who brought it down gracefully before placing it to the left of Hollingshead, making it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time, entirely counter to the momentum of the match.
Red card rubs salt in Lynn wounds
One would have thought that King’s Lynn would look to respond promptly in the second half, perhaps scoring the equaliser that in many ways they deserved from their first half display.
However, the FA Cup’s ability to derail a dominant force spares no team, regardless of stature.
The Linnets appeared worse for wear in the second half, almost bowing to what was admittedly a sub-par Bedford team.
Chances fell the way of David Hicks and substitute Reece Evans to extend the Eagles’ advantage, though neither could beat Hollingshead in goal.
A contentious piece of officiating with three minutes to go left King’s Lynn’s players and coaches incandescent as the referee brandished a straight red card following a high foot from Aaron Jones.
The Linnets had a mountain to climb and just minutes to do it in.
Bedford Town’s response to going a man up was to frustrate their opponents; holding the ball in the corner and drawing fouls wherever possible. The third qualifying round of the FA Cup finally beckoned for Bedford.
As the final whistle blew, it was cheers all round for the home contingent, celebrating an excellent start to life at the Eyrie for Harry Smart, as he makes himself the first manager to lead the Eagles to this elusive stage of the cup since Lee Howarth.
The draw for the next round is at 1pm on Monday (21 September), while the Eagles’ next league game is against National League North leaders, Hereford next Saturday at The Eyrie.
