Bedford FC

[Rhodes]

What can you say, it's difficult to find the 'superlatives' for Real Bedford's comprehensive 4-0 victory last night at nearby Barton Rovers Sharpenhoe Road ground. Jack Morrell opened the scoring with a well taken goal following a corner however it was after the interval that Rob Sinclair's men 'upped the ante' with further strikes from Lee Watkins, surprise surprise, Joey Evans and Ben Stevens following his clinical brace against Hertford Town last Saturday. Meanwhile, following their very disappointing 1-0 defeat at newly promoted Spalding United on Saturday, Bedford Town got their first point of their new season last night with a 'laboured' 1-1 'home' draw against Royston Town, played at Biggleswade United due to The Eyrie not being ready for play, it is already evident that the Club are going to have a difficult campaign and a likely fight against relegation:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/the-pirates-clock-up-second-league-win-away-at-barton-rovers

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-score-four-at-barton-as-bedford-town-get-on-the-board-in-southern-league/

Edited August 14 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

22 hours ago, Rhodes said:

What a start to the Southern League Division One Central campaign for Rob Sinclair's men with a 2-0 victory over 'seasoned' outfit Hertford Town last Saturday (10 August), see a match report and brief highlights from the live stream:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-open-their-league-campaign-with-a-2-0-against-hertford

Also see the on-line match programme from the first Southern League Division One Central fixture of the new campaign against Hertford Town:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/619758344d16e93725c39d0a/t/66b7206944f1d6095d4d6664/1723277427675/The+White+Paper+%2347+-+vs+Hertford+Town.pdf

[Rhodes]

On 18/04/2024 at 14:13, Rhodes said:

Let's get ready to rumble then for this evening's penultimate League fixture of the 2023/24 season against London Lions at McMullen Park which will be live streamed

After the Lord Mayor's Show however the final match programme from last season, in the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) against London Lions, at then McMullen Park on Tuesday 16 April, which wasn't previously posted:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/619758344d16e93725c39d0a/t/66b71dbc0dfbbd3fcd579bab/1723276742478/23-24+Programme+%2346.pdf

[Rhodes]

I don't believe we saw this 25 minute update from the Club on here between Will Roberts and Mr McCormack from last month, recorded on 3 July, apologies if I am mistaken:

Edited August 14 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Another interesting signing for Real Bedford Ladies in Milly Hayes (pictured), again from boss Charlie Bill's former Club Milton Keynes Dons Ladies. Midfield maestro Milly cut her footballing teeth with the Milton Keynes College Football Programme in 2022 prior to joining Milton Keynes Dons Ladies during the latter part of their 2022/23 FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division campaign when finishing in fifth place:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/milly-hayes-signs-for-the-pirates

[Rhodes]

10 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

You really are an incredibly boring individual.           

LondonEagle - That's a bit harsh isn't it, it's fact that historically Bedford Town have always struggled to reach the higher echelons of Non League football and since the Club's reformation in 1991/92 they have only reached Step Two level for one season, in 2006/07, when they were immediately relegated from the Conference South, finishing rock bottom. On the plus side the Club are far better recognised for their FA Cup exploits, particularly in 1955/56, 1963/64, 1965/66 and 1966/67.

[LondonEagle]

4 hours ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - That's a bit harsh isn't it, it's fact that historically Bedford Town have always struggled to reach the higher echelons of Non League football and since the Club's reformation in 1991/92 they have only reached Step Two level for one season, in 2006/07, when they were immediately relegated from the Conference South, finishing rock bottom. On the plus side the Club are far better recognised for their FA Cup exploits, particularly in 1955/56, 1963/64, 1965/66 and 1966/67.

They've had quite a few seasons at Step 3 since reforming. Can't see how you can read much into 2 games, both effectively away from home. One point from 2 games so far is more than several other clubs have managed.      

[Rhodes]

Yet another exciting signing for Real Bedford Ladies, this time in experienced defender Jess Evans (pictured) who can also play in midfield and who's previous Club's include Northampton Town Ladies, Peterborough United Ladies and Cambridge City Ladies. Despite her late arrival, after the pre-season programme, it is still expected that Jess will play a part in Sunday's opening FA Women's National League Division One South East season fixture against Ashford Town Ladies at the Ledger Stadium:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/jess-evans-signs-for-real-bedford

Edited August 15 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

On 13/08/2024 at 18:14, Rhodes said:

What a start to the Southern League Division One Central campaign for Rob Sinclair's men with a 2-0 victory over 'seasoned' outfit Hertford Town last Saturday (10 August), see a match report and brief highlights from the live stream:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-open-their-league-campaign-with-a-2-0-against-hertford

A reminder of the score when Bedford Town played Hertford Town in the same league fixture in April, Rhodes.

Although I know in your book a 7-0 Bedford Town win is 'lucky,' whilst a 2-9 Real Bedford win v Hertford is deserving pf superlatives akin to watching Brazil 1970.

 

 

[Rhodes]

Let's get ready to rumble then, can it be three successive Southern League Division One Central wins to begin the new campaign:

https://www.realbedford.com/real-bedford-vs-welwyn-garden-city?mc_cid=6f4d246227&mc_eid=cfa9735dc6

 

Edited August 22 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

An interesting and heartfelt 'open letter' from Mr McCormack to everyone connected to Real Bedford Football Club:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/open-letter-to-bedford-from-our-chairman-peter-mccormack

[LondonEagle]

Very quiet about yesterday's Real Bedford and Bedford Town results Rhodes?     

Edited August 18 by LondonEagle

[Rhodes]

15 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

Very quiet about yesterday's Real Bedford and Bedford Town results Rhodes?     

LondonEagle - Well fair comment, the reason being I have been in a state of shock ever since 4.50pm yesterday, as Greavsie once said 'it's a funny old game' or Fergie 'football, bloody hell'. As for Bedford Town, it was certainly a decent 4-1 win however you have to admit they were fortunate to catch Halesowen Town on a terrible day at the office and next Saturday's trip to a good Harborough Town side will be a different ball game.

Edited August 19 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 13/08/2024 at 20:46, Rhodes said:

The Ladies now go into their FA Women's National League Division One South East campaign next Sunday (18 August) in fine fettle against a dangerous Ashford Town (Middlesex) Ladies side at the Ledger Stadium, kick off 2.00pm

What a start to the FA Women's National League Division One South East campaign for Real Bedford Ladies at the Ledger Stadium this afternoon with a 3-0 victory over Ashford Town (Middlesex) Ladies with goals from Abbie Bensted on half an hour, Tricia Hannah Gould on the hour mark and substitute Milly Hayes in stoppage time, see highlights from the live stream, some match reports and the match programme. All five substitutes, Alexandra Dicks, Jessica Evans, Amy McLean, Kerry Newman and Milly Hayes, were utilised by a delighted boss Charlie Bill who's thoughts now turn to the Ladies tricky looking visit to London Bees next Sunday who drew 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers Ladies at their Hive home this afternoon:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-women-shine-in-3-0-national-league-debut

https://womenscompetitions.thefa.com/en/Article/Big-Kick-Off-Bedford-Begin-With-Win-20240818

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/619758344d16e93725c39d0a/t/66c1a54bcbe22d68aff21b8e/1723966810378/%232+v+Ashford+Town-compressed.pdf

Edited August 20 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

1 hour ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - Well fair comment, the reason being I have been in a state of shock ever since 4.50pm yesterday, as Greavsie once said 'it's a funny old game' or Fergie 'football, bloody hell', see some match reports. As for Bedford Town, it was certainly a decent 4-1 win however you have to admit they were fortunate to catch Halesowen Town on a terrible day at the office and next Saturday's trip to a good Harborough Town side will be a different ball game:

Lol Harborough have 2 points from 3 games and before yesterday Halesowen had 4 points from 2 games.

Going to have fun making you eat your words all season .   

[Rhodes]

Highlights from the disappointing 2-1 Southern League Division One Central defeat by Welwyn Garden City at the Ledger Stadium on Saturday, match reports from both Club's prospectives and the amazing match programme which would do a Premier League Club proud:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/welwyn-garden-city-come-from-behind-to-beat-real-bedford

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/late-welwyn-double-see-real-bedford-slip-to-first-league-defeat/

https://www.welwyngardencityfc.org.uk/Matchreport.aspx?id=737108

https://www.whtimes.co.uk/sport/24525671.welwyn-garden-city-record-second-win-beating-real-bedford/

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/619758344d16e93725c39d0a/t/66c091f9c726ca5471647163/1723896342940/%2348+v+Welwyn+Garden+City-compressed+(1).pdf

Edited August 20 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Full back Nicola Puddick (pictured) has signed on the dotted line for Charlie Bill from his former Club Milton Keynes Dons Ladies, Nicola was previously with Arsenal Under 21's where she impressed 'the great and the good' at the Club with her fearless overlapping style of play: 

https://www.realbedford.com/news/nicola-puddick-signs-for-real-bedford

Edited August 19 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

On 14/08/2024 at 13:35, RallyInRaleigh said:

6 points in 2 games? I'll take that start every time. Rhodes or Eagle, anyone have a good sense of who the top contenders in league are shaping up to be? 

Hi Rally,

Berkhamsted would be the obvious favourites.

They won the title 2 years ago. Some of their players left after promotion to join Biggleswade Town, who won the same title last season (beating Bedford Town into 2nd), I believe some of them have come back to Berko this season. They know the league inside out.

Flackwell Heath also had a great start but don't know anything about them as they are new to this league.

Berkhamsted home and away will probably be the 2 biggest games for RBFC.    

Edited August 19 by LondonEagle

[RallyInRaleigh]

2 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

Hi Rally,

Berkhamsted would be the obvious favourites.

They won the title 2 years ago. Some of their players left after promotion to join Biggleswade Town, who won the same title last season (beating Bedford Town into 2nd), I believe some of them have come back to Berko this season. They know the league inside out.

Flackwell Heath also had a great start but don't know anything about them as they are new to this league.

Berkhamsted home and away will probably be the 2 biggest games for RBFC.    

Good tip. We took one on the chin this weekend but thought they played the better ball over the 90 minutes and things didn't go their way. I'm excited to see how it all plays out. I'm not too flustered that Town and RBFC have not become league mates yet as I think the rivalry would become a distraction neither have needed, generally. It's a fun down the road event and I wouldn't be upset with a cup matchup but I imagine that they'll square off down the road eventually as I do expect RB to continue to progress up the ranks--not every season but generally up for some time yet. 

[Rhodes]

RallyInRaleigh - You make some good points, it's nice to have you and Cruz posting on here giving an overseas prospective and it's a shame more fans of the Club don't do so. It's a good thing that the 'blip', for want of a better word, has come early on in the campaign with those two shock home defeats so boss Rob Sinclair can soon put things right, it seems that the problem is defensively doesn't it looking at the goals conceded from free kicks and Welwyn Garden City's soft winning goal on Saturday. As for the relationship the Club have with Bedford Town it's so childish on their part isn't it and a crying shame that the Eyrie Club can't accept Mr McCormack's olive branch however it's very much their loss, I don't even think they accepted the £10,000 that Mr McCormack generously offered them towards the work on their new pitch, that says it all. Anyway Saturday's home match with North Leigh will be interesting and then the trip over to nearby Stotfold on Monday, I believe both will be live streamed at 10.00am your time.