Bedford FC

[RallyInRaleigh]

An easy one is a welcome one every day of the week. The pirates made it look easy over the weekend. All eyes now on Potton who they'll take on twice in November. 

[Rhodes]

On 05/11/2023 at 19:16, RallyInRaleigh said:

An easy one is a welcome one every day of the week. The pirates made it look easy over the weekend. All eyes now on Potton who they'll take on twice in November. 

RallyInRaleigh - Yes, lets get ready to rumble, good news that Potton United have no problem about the livestream, unlike some spoil sport Club's have in the past:

https://www.realbedford.com/live-stream

[Cruz]

6 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

RallyInRaleigh - Yes, lets get ready to rumble, good news that Potton United have no problem about the livestream, unlike some spoil sport Club's have in the past:

https://www.realbedford.com/live-stream

I would lile to congratulate Potton Utd on allowing the streaming of this match, as this is the home town of my sadly departed mother, I hope they have a very sucessuful season. Well done Potton.

[RallyInRaleigh]

Thrilled to have the stream. I think the pirates treat them to an MK Irish like performance and romp to a 6-1 win. Prove me right, RB!

[Rhodes]

On 07/11/2023 at 15:14, Cruz said:

I would lile to congratulate Potton Utd on allowing the streaming of this match, as this is the home town of my sadly departed mother, I hope they have a very sucessuful season. Well done Potton.

Cruz - Yes, I gather Potton United are a lovely Club who just want to play the beautiful game as it should be played and not ruffle any feathers along the way, why would some Club's want to refuse permission for a live stream and ruin people's enjoyment, particularly Real Bedford's thousands of overseas followers who obviously can't get to the games. Anyway here is the match programme from last night's fixture and a groundhopper from another Forum was in attendance, another good win wasn't it:

https://www.pottonunited.co.uk/matchday-programmes

Potton United 0 Real Bedford 3
Spartan South Midlands Premier League
Adm: £4 (concession) Prog: didn’t see one Att: 168
The visit of the League leaders drew a larger crowd than usual to The Hollow and Bedford started like an in form side dominating the first half. It was no surprise when Ben Stevens put them ahead after 10 minutes when he drove home after a shot had rebounded off the keeper. He added a second 10 minutes later from the edge of the box. Several further chances were squandered by the visitors and as a result Potton went in at the break still in the game.
Potton improved greatly in a more even second half with chances at both ends of the pitch. However, when Josh Satchell added a third on 76 minutes all thoughts of a comeback were dashed.
This the second time that I have seen Real this season and I will be very surprised if they are not in contention for the title come the end of the season.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Rhodes

[RallyInRaleigh]

Always a treat to read through the other teams programs. Thank you for sharing! Nice to see the ship righted after getting bailed out on Halloween at Stansted. 

[Rhodes]

On 02/11/2023 at 15:35, Rhodes said:

Real Bedford Ladies have two weeks off from Eastern Region Women´s League Premier Division action and on Sunday (5 November) entertain Division One North Wootton Blue Cross Ladies in a Eastern Region Women´s League Cup Second Round tie, I understand the kick off time is 1.30pm and not 2.00pm. Then of course the following week (Sunday 12 November) the Ladies host Women’s National League Southern Premier Division Billericay Town Ladies in an eagerly awaited Women's FA Cup First Round proper tie which will no doubt attract a large attendance to McMullen Park 

Real Bedford Ladies Eastern Region Women´s League Cup Second Round tie against Division One North Wootton Blue Cross Ladies last Sunday was frustratingly called off due to the poor state of the McMullen Park pitch following the Men's 5-0 win over Arlesey Town the previous afternoon. The tie will now be played on Sunday 19 November, kick off 1.30pm, meaning that, disappointingly, the Ladies scheduled Eastern Region Women´s League Premier Division fixture that day is now postponed.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Here we go folks, the latest Podcast aII about footbaII in Bedfordshire and, wait for it, a very interesting interview with Real Bedford's hugely inspirational and visionary Chairman Peter McCormack talking about tomorrow's FA Vase Second Round tie with Biggleswade United at McMullen Park and then the Ladies eagerly awaited Women's FA Cup First Round proper tie against Billericay Town Ladies, also at McMullen Park. For ease of reference the interview is 39 minutes into the show:

Edited November 11, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Highlights of the livestream, a match report and some local press coverage from Real Bedford's straight forward 3-0 win at the Hutchinson Hollow last Tuesday evening:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-picked-up-another-victory-on-the-road-against-potton

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-open-up-three-point-lead-after-win-at-potton/?fbclid=IwAR2sbq9iLzLmeZikWM_9YwzRRni7rlbLEXVZ5CuhVIqeCOyQNvmq9HxungA

Edited November 10, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 05/11/2023 at 15:54, Rhodes said:

No problems again yesterday then for Rob Sinclair's men in difficult playing conditions at McMullen Park:
Saturday 4 November
Premier Division
Real Bedford 5 Arlesey Town 0

Apologies, I thought highlights of the livestream and match report from the 5-0 romp over Arlesey Town last Saturday at McMullen Park had already been posted:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-head-to-the-top-of-the-league-with-a-win-over-arlesey-town

[Rhodes]

On 02/11/2023 at 15:35, Rhodes said:

Then of course the following week (Sunday 12 November) the Ladies host Women’s National League Southern Premier Division Billericay Town Ladies in an eagerly awaited Women's FA Cup First Round proper tie which will no doubt attract a large attendance to McMullen Park

You can tell, reading between the lines, that Billericay Town Ladies are feeling 'twitchy' and apprehensive about their trip, 'into the unknown', to McMullen Park on Sunday afternoon for the eagerly awaited Women's FA Cup First Round proper tie, they would have much preferred it to be a home tie at the safety of their New Lodge base in Essex where only last Sunday they beat an under strength Southampton Ladies side 9-0 in a FA Women's National League Plate Second Round tie, a game that was attended by no other than Real Bedford Chairman Peter McCormack who was on a 'spying mission': 

Edited November 11, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

It's 'D Day' then today at McMullen Park isn't it folks with the FA Vase Second Round tie with fellow SSML Premier Division Biggleswade United, what a weekend in store with the Ladies team in Women's FA Cup First Round action tomorrow against Billericay Town Ladies, also at McMullen Park, note the kick off time of 1.00pm. There's a Bitcoin meet up at the Club before the proceedings this afternoon with high profile California based Robert Breedlove who gained a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and Finance as well as a Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business in Knoxville: 

https://www.bitcoinerevents.com/event/robert-breedlove-real-bedford-v-biggleswade-united/

[Rhodes]

On 21/10/2023 at 20:52, LondonEagle said:

Real. Bedford must be one of the favourites for the FA Vase after that.
Mates of mine line in Newport Pagnell, who've been in the last 2 finals, and Real Bedford are certainly no weaker than those teams, all depends on luck of draw.
Although Newport got to Wembley twice but missed out on promotion to Step 4 twice. 

Absolute heartbreak for Rob Sinclair's men this afternoon, and everyone involved with the Club, as Biggleswade United win the FA Vase Second Round tie 7-6 on penalty kicks following a pulsating 2-2 draw after ninety minutes play:

Saturday 11 November

FA Vase Second Round
Real Bedford 2 Biggleswade United 2 (Biggleswade United win 7-6 on pens)

Edited November 11, 2023 by Rhodes

[Cruz]

3 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Absolute heartbreak for Rob Sinclair's men this afternoon, and everyone involved with the Club, as Biggleswade United win the FA Vase Second Round tie 7-6 on penalty kicks following a pulsating 2-2 draw after ninety minutes play:

Saturday 11 November

FA Vase Second Round
Real Bedford 2 Biggleswade United 2 (Biggleswade United win 7-6 on pens)

Very sad, but onward we go for promtion.

[Rhodes]

Unfortunately it wasn't to be for Real Bedford Ladies at McMullen Park this afternoon against a very good Billericay Town Ladies side who progress to the Second Round of the Women's FA Cup with a 5-0 win:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-ladies-exit-the-womens-fa-cup

Edited November 16, 2023 by Rhodes

[RallyInRaleigh]

Tough weekend for Bedford fans. Saturday was absolutely brutal to listen to. Just a heartbreaking loss. Looks like they get started in the GCT next, which I believe they were eliminated from last year due to an administration error after beating the Dynamos. Hopefully they can get right there against Wellingborough and then get back to promotion focus on the weekend.

The ladies match was never in doubt falling behind 2-0 in the first ten minutes but it seemed like they were competitive for large stretches. Still a good thing for Peter to see how they currently stack up against higher competition as it appears they are well on their way to the next step following this season. 

[Rhodes]

RallyInRaleigh - Yes, I don't think these photographs were put up last season when Real Bedford travelled to Wellingborough Whitworth on Saturday 10 December 2022 in a 5-2 win however the game at McMullen Park on Saturday 14 February 2023 will be remembered as one of only three League defeats last season, surprisingly all at home, the other two being to Langford and Rugby Borough. I'm sure that defeat still rankles with boss Rob Sinclair who will be keen for sweet revenge tomorrow in the SSML Challenge Trophy First Round, sadly I don't believe there will be a live stream:

https://www.actuance.photo/20221209-wellingborough-vs-real-bedford-store

Edited November 16, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

No problems for Rob Sinclair's men on Tuesday evening then in a comfortable 5-1 win at Wellingborough Whitworth's Victoria Mill ground, a SSML Challenge Trophy First Round tie that was originally Real Bedford's home game and switched from McMullen Park, see both sides of the story:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/the-pirates-progres-in-the-gladwish-challenge-trophy

The first team went out of the Gladwish Challenge Trophy last night. SSMFL Premier league leaders Real Bedford were our opponents and it was a vey entertaining game that both sides put on.

It was a very even game and then Owen Brooks scored for us after 17minutes and we started to wonder if an upset was on the cards. Both sides were knocking the ball around well but Real Bedford started to put the pressure on. In the 31st minute they equalised when we failed to clear a corner, in the 39th minute they took the lead when we failed to deal with a long throw and in the 45th minute we got caught out playing the ball out from the back and we found ourselves 1-3 down at the break.

Seven minutes into the second half, a fantastic volley from a headed clearance put Real 1-4 ahead, the next 30 minutes were very even but Real looked very slick with their passing. They added their 5th goal on 78 minutes when we gave the ball away and they hit us with a quick counter attack, before the final whistle their keeper made a superb double save and as for the majority of the game their back line looked very solid.

At the final whistle Real were deserved winners but we were frustrated at gifting them the number of goals we did. Real Bedford will certainly be around the top of the Premier at the end of the season and it will take an excellent side to stop them winning it.

For us, well if we can perform like we did last night in all of our League games we will be having a very exciting season ourselves.

[Rhodes]

Something is not quite right is it folks, the draw for the Second Round of the SSML Challenge Trophy was made recently and Rob Sinclair's men aren't pitting their pits against Milton Keynes Irish. Also in the Second Round of the SSML Premier Division Cup, having received a First Round bye, Dunstable Town await at Creasey Park on Tuesday 16 January:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round (date tbc)
Real Bedford v Cockfosters

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round (Tuesday 16 January)
Dunstable Town v Real Bedford

[Rhodes]

On 08/11/2023 at 19:05, Rhodes said:

Real Bedford Ladies Eastern Region Women´s League Cup Second Round tie against Division One North Wootton Blue Cross Ladies last Sunday was frustratingly called off due to the poor state of the McMullen Park pitch following the Men's 5-0 win over Arlesey Town the previous afternoon. The tie will now be played on Sunday 19 November, kick off 1.30pm, meaning that, disappointingly, the Ladies scheduled Eastern Region Women´s League Premier Division fixture that day is now postponed.

Real Bedford Ladies Eastern Region Women´s League Cup Second Round tie against Division One North Wootton Blue Cross Ladies this afternoon (19 November) has been switched to Wootton Blue Cross Ladies ground due to the uncertainty of McMullen Park being playable following the Men's team comprehensively defeating Aylesbury Dynamos 5-2 yesterday to remain top of the SSML Premier Division table. Kick off at the very nice Weston Park Blue Cross Sports & Social Club facility in Bedford Road, Wootton is at 1.30pm: