Bedford FC

[Rhodes]

RallyInRaleigh - Yes, let's get ready to rumble, there's no reason why Rob Sinclair's men should struggle at Creasey Park this evening taking into account the 6-1 win there in the SSML Premier Division Cup. I can't see Milton Keynes Irish slipping up at Cockfosters can you, if the game is on that is:

[RallyInRaleigh]

Welp, far too many dropped points in recent weeks. Saturday is an absolute must win if we can hope to avoid the playoff. Even with a win, it's an uphill climb at the moment. Not sure what's missing but the team just hasn't been able to close out games of late.

[PatrollR24]

Disappointed in the team recently. Performances haven’t been there and they look like a shell of the side from the beginning of the year. One wonders if the pressure has got to the players and management alike… Winning the league comfortably was the minimum at the start of the year and anything other than that is very sad. Now it’s going to be a struggle. Let’s hope they can turn this around as I worry about potential playoffs. Many of those sides have been better than us since the turn of the year. 

[LondonEagle]

Both Town and Real seem to be doing their best to throw away automatic promotion.

[Rhodes]

All I do know is that it is costing Milton Keynes Irish an absolute fortune in crates of champagne and courier fees to the likes of Baldock Town, Leverstock Green, Biggleswade United and now Dunstable Town, see a match report and highlights of the action from Creasey Park on Tuesday evening, courtesy of Dunstable Town:

Pirates held level at Creasey Park | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Edited March 9 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Have we seen this video, supremo Rob Sinclair summarising activity at McMullen Park a month or so ago, prior to the recent slump in form, it's puzzling what has been going wrong of late unless it's nerves with the winning post to the promised land of Step 4 football next season in sight:

Edited March 7 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

An update to Real Bedford Ladies fixtures due to recent postponements, the Eastern Region Women's League Cup Semi Final tie with Luton Town Ladies, postponed last Sunday, will be played at Barton Rovers Sharpenhoe Road ground this Sunday (10 March), kick off 1.30pm:

Fixture Update: RBFC Ladies Cup Clash Rescheduled | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

[Rhodes]

Forget Anthony Joshua tonight in Saudi Arabia, let's get ready to rumble, see an interesting feature on the game from the Club Website entitled 'the story so far' between the two Club's this season:

Pirates Vs Irish: The Story So Far | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Edited March 9 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

A win or draw for Irish and they are pretty much nailed-on for the title.

Only lost 1 league game this season, first day of the season at Real Bedford, when they were very unlucky to not get at least a point.

 

[PatrollR24]

Certainly only a six pointer!

[RallyInRaleigh]

As fate would have it, I'll be running a marathon in the woods and unable to watch this titanic struggle. Let's hope they can bring home all 3 points without my live support!

[Rhodes]

On 07/03/2024 at 13:25, LondonEagle said:

Both Town and Real seem to be doing their best to throw away automatic promotion.

LondonEagle - Even if Real Bedford happen to miss out on the Championship to Milton Keynes Irish I'm confident that they can win a Step 4 play-off match against a Kempston Rovers Thame United, Kidlington, Aylesbury United or Hadley whereas I wouldn't be so confident for Bedford Town in a play-off competition with the likes of Waltham Abbey, Ware, Cirencester Town, AFC Dunstable or Hertford Town.

[Rhodes]

See the match programme from this afternoon's all important fixture at surely a packed out Manor Fields:

Real Bedford | PDF to Flipbook (heyzine.com)

Edited March 11 by Rhodes

[PatrollR24]

8 hours ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - Even if Real Bedford happen to miss out on the Championship to Milton Keynes Irish I'm confident that they can win a Step 4 play-off match against a Kempston Rovers Thame United, Kidlington, Aylesbury United or Hadley whereas I wouldn't be so confident for Bedford Town in a play-off competition with the likes of Waltham Abbey, Ware, Cirencester Town, AFC Dunstable or Hertford Town.

Are the playoffs this year not all Spartan sides? Thought it was 2nd to 5th have a playoff

Given the way the side has struggled recently, especially against sides like Leverstock I’d be concerned with playoffs

Would certainly feel like a let down especially considering how heavy favourites Bedford were for the league

Didn’t manage to catch the game today but it’s certainly a better point for the Irish than it is for Bedford. Was a must win in my eyes 

[Rhodes]

A record attendance of 515 at Manor Fields on Saturday, a match report and highlights of the live stream to follow:

[Rhodes]

On 08/03/2024 at 10:45, Rhodes said:

the Eastern Region Women's League Cup Semi Final tie with Luton Town Ladies, postponed last Sunday, will be played at Barton Rovers Sharpenhoe Road ground this Sunday (10 March), kick off 1.30pm

Many congratulations to Real Bedford Ladies on reaching the Final of the Eastern Region Women's League Cup yesterday, beating Luton Town Ladies 2-1 at Sharpenhoe Road with clinical goals from Natasha Fensome and Chloe Martin, see a match report. The all-conquering Ladies will meet Wroxham FC Ladies who beat St Albans City Ladies 3-2 after extra time :

Real Bedford win a tight semi-final against Luton Town in the League Cup | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Edited March 14 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

On 09/03/2024 at 23:31, PatrollR24 said:

Are the playoffs this year not all Spartan sides? Thought it was 2nd to 5th have a playoff

Given the way the side has struggled recently, especially against sides like Leverstock I’d be concerned with playoffs

Would certainly feel like a let down especially considering how heavy favourites Bedford were for the league

Didn’t manage to catch the game today but it’s certainly a better point for the Irish than it is for Bedford. Was a must win in my eyes 

Yes, it's back to traditional 4 team play-off 2nd to 5th.

 

Subject to FA Council approval, the Inter-Step Play-Offs currently in place at Steps 4 and 5 of the National League System (NLS) are to be replaced after the 2022/23 season.

The change will see the introduction of a traditional four-team Play-Off in each of the sixteen Step 5 divisions – thus guaranteeing a second promotion place from Step 5 to Step 4, subject to Clubs meeting the eligibility criteria which includes an independent ground grading assessment. 

[Rhodes]

A groundhopper from another Forum was at Manor Fields on Saturday and gives an interesting account:

Spartan South Midlands Football League – Premier Division
Manor Fields – Official Attendance: 515
Milton Keynes Irish 0 Real Bedford 0
I had briefly contemplated trekking over to Great Wakering for their FA Vase tie against Falmouth Town, but spotting this top of the table clash in the SSML, I quickly decided to eschew the ‘fun’ of driving around the M25 and negotiating the Dartford Crossing. A trip up the normally trouble-free A34 seemed far more palatable.
Having been held to a draw in midweek, League leaders Real Bedford went into this game with just a four point advantage over second-place MK Irish, having played three games more. However, they were the only team to have beaten today’s hosts in the league this season, having won the reverse fixture 1-0 on the opening day of the league season. The two sides had also met twice in cup competitions this season; MK Irish had won 4-3 away at Real Bedford in the FA Cup, While Real Bedford had won 5-0 at Manor Fields in the FA Vase.
Admission £5 (concession), programme free with admission – a single sheet folded to create a 4-page document comprising a front cover, league table, league results/fixtures and match-day squads.
Not a particularly photogenic ground and currently only offering spectator facilities on three sides; access to the northern end of the ground is closed off for what would appear to be some ground development works. There was also a curious attempt at some self-regulated partial segregation, with a notice by the South Stand – 'HOME FANS ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT THANK YOU'. Curious also that the South Stand is on the eastern side of the ground – but then, maybe it’s not a geographically based naming.
As for the game, Real Bedford’s greater need for points was reflected in the play, particularly in the first half. They played with much greater urgency than their hosts. They created some decent chances in the opening period, but the MK Irish ‘keeper dealt with all that was thrown at him. The home side’s efforts on goal tended to be weak or off-target. The visitors maybe tired in the second period. They still showed the greater sense of urgency, but neither side created any clear-cut chances after the break. Real Bedford did have the ball in the net in the sixth of nine minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game but the Assistant’s flag brought a halt to their celebrations – the subsequent disgruntlement also led to one of their players being sin-binned for the remaining moments of the game. Overall an absorbing, rather than particularly exciting, affair.
So it’s as you were in this two-horse race at the top of the table – will be quite interesting to see how this one plays out between now and the season’s end.

[Rhodes]

Just now, LondonEagle said:

Yes, it's back to traditional 4 team play-off 2nd to 5th.

Subject to FA Council approval, the Inter-Step Play-Offs currently in place at Steps 4 and 5 of the National League System (NLS) are to be replaced after the 2022/23 season.
The change will see the introduction of a traditional four-team Play-Off in each of the sixteen Step 5 divisions – thus guaranteeing a second promotion place from Step 5 to Step 4, subject to Clubs meeting the eligibility criteria which includes an independent ground grading assessment. 

Thanks London Eagle for clarifying that, I thought it was going to be the same as last season when Stotfold gained promotion following their impressive 2-0 play-off win at Dereham Town. That doesn't change my viewpoint though that even if Real Bedford happen to miss out on the Championship to Milton Keynes Irish I'm sure that they can win a SSML play-off competition against the likes of FC Romania, Leverstock Green, St Panteleimon and Harpenden Town.

[Rhodes]

Unsurprisingly Manor Fields was awash with groundhoppers from another Forum on Saturday afternoon, here's another one. Was £9.00 Milton Keynes Irish's normal admission price:

Milton Keynes Irish 0 v 0 Real Bedford - Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.
Programme - 4 pages w/a. There is an expanded forty two page Heyzine edition online but what was provided is sufficient - Admission £9.00 (nc) - Att. 515.
Noticed this fixture several months ago and with both teams far ahead in terms of points of the remainder of the division, then it was evident that the contest would have a large bearing on who wins the divisional championship and who will have to battle through the vagaries of the Play Off's. Appreciate the Play Off entry rules are totally embedded in the game, but it continues to be a matter of concern to this aged mind that a team that ends the season fifteen points clear in second place in a division can then lose in a Play Off match to a team finishing fifth.
Play Off rant over and back to the day in question and what was ultimately a game of two halves. An opening period where it was perplexing as to how we had not had a goal or three with the visitors being bemused as to why they were not in front. Second half saw the MKI defence look far more secure and the first half threat from Archie Jones on the left for the visitors disappeared almost completely to the point where his contribution was a couple of nondescript crosses near the end that became easy saves for Tom Ladyman in the home goal.
Thoroughly enjoyable first period which, despite the chances created especially by the visitors, failed to yield a goal. The primary reason why the first half remained goalless was a string of excellent saves from Ladyman but also important was some crucial clearances from the MKI defence and several efforts from the visitors that were well directed but narrowly wide of the goal.
Of late MKI's recent results have been more impressive than Real Bedford's and going into this contest, a win for the visitors was considered to have been a requirement in order to open up a difficult to overcome lead at the top of the SSMLP table. Clear from the opening minutes that the visitors were fully aware of their task pushing purposefully forward. They went close in the opening minutes when Jones' sensible pass gave Ben Stevens plenty of space, but his shot did not quite have the required angle and clipped the corner of the outside of the goal. The Real Bedford pressure continued and this led to the first and second of Ladyman's important interventions when he made an excellent double save to push away Stevens' first time shot and then instantly recover to block Stevens' follow up.
As per Grasshopper's excellent report, in contrast to the threat posed by the visitors there was little to inspire about MKI in the final third apart from a couple of shots that were straightforward gathers for Tyler McGregor. It was not difficult not to feel the anguish of George Shrieves after an excellent run where his proficiency in control left two defenders beaten, his pass inside found Mason Spence with plenty of room but there was no power in the resulting shot which ended as an easy save for the Real Bedford keeper.
The MKI forays forward though were a rare first half occurrence and it was not long before the hosts were once again showing gratitude to Ladyman with a flying leap of a one handed save to his right to push around the post an angled drive from Joe Evans that was heading just inside the post. However, Ladyman's first half contribution was not without its mishaps as he hesitated in coming to clear a long punt forward from McGregor allowing Josh Setchell what initially looked like the perfect opportunity to finally give Real Bedford the lead but the latter's shot lacked pace and Shaheim Ward was in place to clear off the line. Excellent first half full of open attacking play but perplexingly without a goal.
Regrettably, the second half failed to live up to the exhilaration that had preceded. Most importantly the constant first half threat from Jones was negated by much more effective MKI defending. It was also clear that much of the first half momentum and threat generated by the visitors receded to the point where it was almost absent by the end. The result was a dreary second half where from the opening minutes it was clear that a goalless conclusion would be difficult to avoid.
There was a rare presumption of threat with ten minutes left when the referee played an excellent advantage after a high boot from a Real Bedford player thus allowing Callum Hirst an opening. This though was cynically ended by Stevens' trip for which he was cautioned. Well placed free kick from Ryan Smith through the Real Bedford wall but the direction was slightly misplaced as it sped inches wide of the far post. In stoppage time a low cross from the right supplied by Setchell was tapped in by Jones but the linesman's flag had already been raised for what was from this angle a clear offside, though this did not stop Jones from remonstrating against the decision for which he sat out the remaining three minutes after being sin binned. A draw of more use for MKI than Real Bedford as the hosts remain four points behind the league leaders but they crucially have three games in hand. The key to the outcome of who wins the league could be the recent form of the two clubs in a league where both teams have dropped very few points but this was Real Bedford's third draw in their last four games. In contrast the outcome here was the first dropping of points from MKI in eight starts. Does seem inconceivable with the two teams so far clear at the top of the table that one of them may not start the 24-5 season at Level 4.
A quick check of Futbology shows that the last visit made to Manor Fields was in May 1992, one of two matches seen at the venue that season. The stand that runs the length of the pitch was almost certainly in place previously, but the smaller seated stand on the far side is of more recent construct. One end is inaccessible with the indication that terracing being constructed but from distance the terracing does appear to be very high and the regular who I had a brief conversation with pre match said that no work had been undertaken this season with the small excavator that is in situ remaining unmoved for the duration of time. Excellent attendance with plenty of evident gold and black colours supporting the visitors that I am sure would have been even higher but for the fact that the maligned Dons of MK, whose ground is relatively nearby, were also at home.
Easy outward journey arriving into Bletchley mid morning making use of the time available to retrace the direction to the ground which is situated just over the Grand Union canal on the outskirts of Fenny Stratford. From a brief glance, the hostelry/ale options did not look overly promising with it looking like extended visits to the Captain Ridley's Shooting Party (JDW) to be the feature of the day. On the first visit there was an impromptu meet with Eesti7 (sometimes of this Parish) who had undertaken much greater research on the areas hostelries and who was excellent company for the remainder of the day. Visit made pre match to the unpromising looking Chequers in Fenny Stratford - from the outside it appeared closed. The door opened to reveal a rustic and eclectic traditional interior and two Timothy Taylor ales of which Landlord was partaken. Landlord was also present at the Red Lion, a rare example of a surviving canalside pub and another that I am sure that others would be impressed by its aesthetic qualities. Decided to partake the Wadworths 6X which was unremarkable rather than Landlord on this occasion. The two ales of the day were both found in the JDW, firstly the strangely named Disco Macaw that originated from Taipei's Redpoint Brewery but was brewed for the Spring Festival by Shepherd Neame. This was bettered late on by the Astra pale from Roman Way Brewery, noticed that they must have good distribution as their ales have been often seen over the course of visit to the South Midlands over the course of 2024.
The conversation with Eesti7 continued unabated over the course of a slower return journey where the train service had to make a longer than expected stop at Hemel Hempstead to allow those that needed a comfort break the opportunity to use the station conveniences as there were no working WC's available on the train. Good connection with the c2c service on the final leg of the journey at West Ham which allowed the Riverside locks to be turned at 21.35.