Bedford Town’s spell at the summit of Southern League Premier Central was short lived as they fell to a humbling 6-2 loss at new league leaders, AFC Telford on Tuesday night (28 January).
In the absence of manager, Lee Bircham, the Eagles conceded four first half goals in what became a procession at the SEAH Stadium and in truth, it could have been more on a dire night of Southern League football for Town.
After twenty minutes, it looked as if the game might be turning into the well-contested affair one would expect from a game between the top two when Huw Dawson was quickest to react to a Sydney Ibie header across goal to smash home from a yard.
However, three goals in eight first half minutes would turn the game on its head.
Matthew Stenson, the match winner from the reverse fixture just three weeks ago at The Eyrie, was once again tormenter-in-chief as he found himself through one-on-one against Jameson Horlick and slotted a nice finish in off the post.
Read: Late Telford winner condemns Bedford Town to back-to-back defeats
Five minutes later, the home side were in front thanks in large to Horlick.
The Bedford Town shot stopper has been in excellent form since joining from Luton Town on loan, but when Stenson’s effort was hit straight at him, he would have expected to keep it out instead of letting it through his hands and seeing the ball trickle over the line.
When Orrin Pendley and Jordan Piggott powered free headers home from close range before half-time, Bedford Town were on the verge of implosion and grateful to escape to the security of the changing rooms.
Dawson brace a mere consolation
What transpired was more Telford attacks.
Leon Lobjoit had the first opportunity of the second period as he fell just short of completing a sliding finish from Ryan Blake’s superb cross in the early moments but Telford resumed their onslaught soon after.
Max Brogan’s free kick found a chink in the armour of the Bedford wall after 55 minutes to make it 5-1, before Piggott claimed a brace of his own just after the hour mark, finding the bottom corner.
To their credit, Bedford continued to try and fashion attacks and they were rewarded with the final goal of a difficult game as Dawson scored a second from close range, but the game had already disappeared out of sight for the seventh tier’s surprise package of the season.
Telford had opportunities to make it seven late on; a Bedford header on the goal line saving the Eagles from true embarrassment, although they will quickly want to put this result behind them as they continue to stay amongst the top crop in the league.
Bedford Town’s next two games are also on the road; against Barwell this coming Saturday (1 February) before they face Royston Town for the fourth time this season the following Tuesday (4 February).
Real Bedford were also supposed to be in action on Tuesday night, but their game against Southern League Central Division One’s basement side, North Leigh was postponed for the second time due to a waterlogged pitch.
