Having not won a league game since 22nd October, Gary Setchell’s Bedford Town side found themselves slipping down the league standings, but they bounced back on 22nd November to register their first win in five.
First half goals from Joe Butterworth and Connor Tomlinson gave the Eagles all three points against strugglers, Kings Langley at The Eyrie to stop the rot and get Bedford Town back on the winning track.
Assistant Manager, Darren Edey was in a bullish mood in the build-up to the game, and was steadfast in his squad’s ability and the confidence of the management in what he described as a “rut”.
“When you are in a rut, the only thing to do is keep working hard and doing the right things off the field, in the hope it kicks in on the field.
“We are confident as a management team that if we cut out the mistakes, then we will soon enough be climbing the table. Simple as it is, in the games where we don’t make mistakes, we tend to win.
“We have every belief in the squad of players we have and I’m sure that with a bit of belief, these lads will all come good.”
Belief turns into three points
Setchell made five changes to the starting line up, following Bedford Town’s penalty shoot out win against Stotfold in the Bedfordshire Cup last Tuesday night, with new signing Aymen Azaze making his first start in goal.
Bedford Town took the lead after seventeen minutes; Joe Butterworth’s neat finish from the edge of the box finding its way into the net.
Connor Tomlinson doubled the lead on the half hour mark, slotting home Hugh Alban-Jones’ superb through ball at the near post to put the Eagles in complete control.
A flurry of yellow cards for both sides in the first half – four in all – broke up play, but Bedford Town were well on top heading into the changing rooms at the interval.
Second half chances came and went for Town; mainly shared between Afolabi Soyemi-Ololade and Diadier Camara and could have seen the home side out of sight.
Kings Langley were never in danger of troubling the new keeper at Bedford Town however, with the home side coming away with a comfortable and welcome 2-0 win.
The victory takes Bedford Town up to 16th in the table, with Sporting Bromsgrove to come on Saturday at The Eyrie.
“That had a big game feel about it”, said Gary Setchell post-match.
“We have to beat the teams around us and I thought the boys were first class.
“We brought a keeper in tonight and he didn’t have a shot to save. It was a totally dominant performance and let’s be honest, it was needed!”
Rovers continue fine start with Thame win
Kempston Rovers continue to defy expectations in Southern League Central Division One, where they are sixth after a 3-0 weekend win against Thame United.
Seb Simpson and a now predictable double for star man, Ben Baker gave the Walnuts a straightforward victory on Saturday, although their game against Welwyn last night was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Manager, Chris Nunn was highly complimentary of his side as well as the fans at Hillgrounds on Saturday as his side beat an in-form Thame team.
“A huge thank you for the support received today from the Kempston Rovers supporters. The atmosphere was electric in the second half!”
Rovers’ fixtures in the lead up to Christmas are not straightforward, with a trip to league leaders Berkhamsted up next.
Other games include Waltham Abbey who are just outside the playoffs and third placed Didcot Town, but Kempston Rovers are a far cry from the side battling towards the bottom of the league last season.
Real Bedford continue to fly high at the top of Spartans South Midlands Division One at McMullen Park; a 2-1 against Eaton Socon at the weekend giving Rob Sinclair’s side a 15th win in 16 games.
Rugby Borough are Real’s closest challengers and are currently 12 points behind in second place, although they do have three games in hand.
