The Eagles suffered their first league defeat of the season after falling to a 3-2 loss to Biggleswade Town. Despite fighting back into the game twice, Biggleswade scored a late goal to condemn the Eagles to an unfamiliar feeling.
It was a cagey start to the game, but Biggleswade Town took the lead after twenty-one minutes. The Waders attacked down the right wing and a pass to Luke Andrews saw him fire the ball into the back of the net and put the away side ahead.
The Eagles responded well to this and soon found an equaliser ten minutes before the interval. Louis Walsh was causing havoc and eventually his cross found a Bedford player whose strike hit the post before rebounding to Kyle Connolly to finish.
Bedford kept pressing but it was Biggleswade who found another goal just before the break. It was an absolute belter as the ball fell perfectly to Cole Dasilva on the edge of the box to rifle into the goal to give the Waders a half time lead.
Eagles top on goal difference
The second half was dominated by Bedford and ten minutes into the second forty-five, the Eagles were back level. A loose ball in the box was first met by new signing, Leon Lobjoit who was there to tuck away his debut goal for the Eagles.
Lee Bircham made some changes and were pushing for that goal to go ahead but it never quite materialised, and it just didn’t feel like Bedford’s day.
In the eighty-sixth minute, Biggleswade took the lead for a third and decisive time. A free kick wasn’t properly cleared by Bedford and Liam Brooks was there to finish and give the Waders a late lead which they held on to inject themselves into the title race.
A disappointing defeat for the Eagles who start 2024 with a loss, but the Eagles can bounce back immediately this weekend as they travel to Oxfordshire to face 14th-placed Kidlington.
Later this month, Bedford Town face a key game at 2nd-placed, North Leigh in what could be a key fixture come the end of the season, although while the two teams are currently locked on 36 points apiece, the Eagles do have the luxury of a game in hand.
Words by Zac Neal
