Many may have expected Bedford Town to dominate against bottom side, Hednesford Town, but a 3-1 defeat was compounded by a poor performance from Paul Davis’ men at The Eyrie this afternoon.
Hednesford Town began the day in last place in Southern League Premier Central but their new look side looked a far cry from a team struggling at the bottom as they dominated the contest.
This was after a guard of honour was given for Craig Mackail-Smith; the Eagles striker announcing his retirement from football this morning after a stellar career that spanned over 20 years.
Read: Eagles striker Craig Mackail-Smith announces his retirement from football
After a serene opening fifteen minutes, Charley Sanders – deployed up front alongside Rene Howe and Connor Tomlinson – smashed a good opportunity against the post in what was the first chance of the game.
The visitors, looking for only their third victory of the season, may have been reduced to ten men shortly after; Lewis Ison only given a yellow card for a bad challenge on Junior Gyamfi while Sanders also found his way into the referee’s notebook for getting involved in the aftermath.
Clinical Hednesford dominate first half
Moments later, Hednesford were in front; Niah Payne crossing across the face of goal for Kyle Bennett to tap home from close range.
Rene Howe hit the crossbar almost immediately after, but that’s as good as it got for the home side as two goals in the final five minutes of the first half saw Hednesford out of sight.
A counter attack saw Hednesford’s second goal; Riley O’Sullivan smashing home via a deflection before player-manager, Danny Glover’s cross found the far corner to net a third for the rampant visitors.
With the start of the second half came the torrential rain, causing both sides to struggle with the ball at their feet but while the heavens opened, the Eagles’ luck continued to elude them.
New signing, William Owens was introduced in the second half, replacing Howe and although he showed a couple of promising moments throughout the second period, the Eagles never looked like mounting a comeback.
In truth, Hednesford could have scored five or six as they spurned chances to rub salt in the Eagles’ wounds and although Sanders scored a consolation in injury time, it was too little too late for Bedford.
A lot was made of Hednesford’s impressive performance in The Eyrie stands; their new look team – without former Premier League striker, Leroy Lita – was not a team who should be in a relegation battle.
They made the most of a lack of Bedford creativity, with flowing attacking moves going through Glover between the lines and Paul Davis’ side did not have the answers to combat them.
The only silver lining to today is that Bedford Town have an immediate chance to put their poor performance behind them at Redditch United on Monday night, with Paul Davis hoping that it’s third time lucky for him.
