Bedford Town 3 Colney Heath 0 (12th March 2022)
I’m not sure if I’m Bedford Town’s lucky charm, or a minor curse. I’ve seen them twice recently, and both times they’ve won 3-0, but both times they’ll have walked off wondering why they didn’t score more.
I’ve seen Bedford Town’s ground several times, while driving past on the A421 to destinations in England’s east, but this was my first time seeing it up close, and at less than 70 mph. Up until the 1970s, Bedford Town played in one of the best grounds outside the Football League. The Eyrie was probably a fair bit better than the grounds of some of those that were in it, but they lost the ground when the brewery next door expanded, and the club folded, before being reformed a decade later.
Like so many clubs forced to build a new ground, the only site available was their current out of town location, and they’ve had to make the best of it, while looking to climb the leagues and improve the ground bit by bit. Other than the large bar, it’s not an obviously impressive venue, but there are a few things that raise it up a little, such as having cover on all four sides, and two of those sides featuring terracing steep enough to offer a decent view – while one end is covered all the way along. The site also has plenty of space for improvement if/when the club rise.
Perhaps the most incongruous thing is the location of Bedford FC, directly next door. The terrace at one end at Bedford Town offers a view of both goals in Bedford’s ground, which would be interesting if both were at home on the same day. Bedford FC have recently been bought by a crytocurrency speculator, announcing his intention to make them a global brand and reach the premier league. Currently two divisions below Bedford Town, it’s not been an outstanding success so far. Bedford average just 50 fans at their games, and posted the lowest recorded attendance in their division this season, when just 14 fans turned up for the game v London Tigers the previous Saturday.
Struggling Colney Heath didn’t even seem to have that number of fans at this game, but in poor form, and away to the league leaders, it wouldn’t have been the most enticing prospect. Their defence, the second worst in the league, had conceded 77 goals, which by coincidence was exactly the same as Bedford Town, the league’s best attack, had scored.
The handful that did go would have seen their team battle until the end, despite being completely outgunned for the whole game. Bedford started like a team determined to win the game early, and that was maybe their undoing. They looked at times like a team trying to get a 90th minute equaliser, when a little more composure might have borne fruit more readily.
That said, it’s not hard to see why Bedford Town are top, as they attacked relentlessly, and it’s a surprise that it took them so long to get the first goal. A headed goal from a set-piece on 32 minutes broke the deadlock, but the first goal should have come sooner. Colney Heath had defended pretty well, but the linesman’s flag was probably still their best saviour in the first half.
The officials also prevented Bedford going in 2-0 up at half time, when a goal bundled in from a corner was ruled out for a foul nobody else seemed to see or appeal for.
More of the same in the second half, with no let up from a Bedford side who clearly have the eyes focused on the goal of promotion. Again though, they were wasteful, and there were even murmuring on the terraces about whether Colney Heath could nick one in one of their rare excursions towards the Bedford Town goal.
In the 65th minute, a twisting run into the box was ended by a mistimed tackle for an obvious penalty. This was tucked away, after a stuttering run-up, to effectively seal the points, and it did look for a while like this might break Colney Heath’s spirit. The third came soon after, when with everyone waiting for a ball to be squared for a tap-in, the attacker fired in at the near post from a tight angle. Had he missed, I don’t think his teammate would have been too impressed, but he didn’t so it’s smiles all round.
With 20 minutes still to play, Bedford Town really ought to have added more, but a mix of poor and sometimes ‘ambitious’ finishing, plus a continued effort from the visitors, meant it stayed at three. Only the greedy would complain though. The Eagles are flying. Three goals, a win, an entertaining game for nearly all of the 528 there, and three points nearer the goal of promotion. Maybe not quite matching the excitement that once saw over 18000 fill the old Eyrie, but the new Eyrie is making its own history now.
Stadiums and Cities 