Both Bedford Town and Real Bedford have discovered their opponents for the FA Cup second qualifying round after the draw at FA headquarters on Monday, with both due to face National League South opposition.
Bedford Town enter the competition at this stage thanks to their promotion to National League North last season, while Real Bedford will have to beat Bishop’s Stortford in a first qualifying round replay on Tuesday night (5 September) to progress.
Read: Real Bedford face FA Cup replay after Bishop’s Stortford draw
Bedford Town have been drawn at home against Dagenham and Redbridge, who are 19th in National League South.
Real Bedford will also face National League South opposition in fifth-placed, Hemel Hempstead Town should they beat Bishop’s Stortford on Tuesday night, with that game away from home at Vauxhall Road.
Kempston Rovers are already out of the competition as they suffered a 5-0 hammering at Arlesey Town in the extra preliminary round.
Both Real and the Eagles have already beaten last season’s efforts, when they fell at their respective first hurdles.
Bedford Town were beaten 3-0 in the first qualifying round by Royston Town almost a year ago to the day, although that “home” tie was played at Hitchin Town’s Top Field as The Eyrie was still being renovated.
Real Bedford were knocked out in the extra preliminary round by an excellent St Neots Town at the Ledger Stadium, as the eventual winners of United Counties Premier Division South shocked the Pirates with a 3-2 victory in the early stages of last season.
Now, both sides have a chance to reach the latter stages of the qualifying rounds and with it, a chance of sneaking into the first round proper and a potential golden ticket to a Football League side, although they will need to win three ties to gain it.
Real Bedford’s replay at Woodside Park to face Bishop’s Stortford takes place tomorrow night (2 September) at 19:45, while Bedford Town are also in action in the National League North, with another lengthy trip to Hereford.
The second qualifying round will take place on the weekend of 12-14 September, with the exact date and times to be confirmed by clubs shortly.
