Bedford Town's pre-season campaign is off to a flying start as they continue to demonstrate their prowess on the pitch. Under the astute guidance of Lee Bircham, the Eagles clinched an impressive 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers' development side in a thrilling encounter at Hitchin’s Top Field on Friday night.

Source : https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/bedford-town-beat-qpr-as-confident-start-to-pre-season-continues/#:~:text=Lee%20Bircham's%20Bedford%20Town%20side,campaign%20continued%20at%20Top%20Field.

A Dominating First Half

The match saw Bedford Town establish dominance early on, with three first-half goals setting the tone for their commanding performance. The scoring spree began just eight minutes into the game when Leon Lobjoit found the back of the net with a deft header. This early lead was soon doubled by new signing Ben Baker, who capitalised on a defensive error with a calm finish past the Rangers goalkeeper. The momentum continued as Baker turned provider, delivering a precise ball to newly appointed club captain Carl Mensah, who headed home from a free kick to make it 3-0.

Consolidation and Defense

Despite an early second-half goal from QPR serving as a consolation, Bedford Town’s defense held strong to secure a well-deserved 3-1 victory. This win adds to the growing list of impressive pre-season performances by the team, indicating their readiness for the upcoming season.

Pre-Season Successes

This match followed a series of notable pre-season successes for Bedford Town. A 5-0 triumph at Beaconsfield of the Southern League Premier South and a staggering 9-1 dismantling of former FA Vase winners Newport Pagnell Town showcased the Eagles’ scoring capabilities and tactical brilliance. Such performances bode well for the team's confidence heading into the new season.

Temporary Venue and Future Fixtures

Currently, Bedford Town is playing its 'home' pre-season fixtures at Hitchin Town’s Top Field due to ongoing infrastructure upgrades at their home ground, The Eyrie. These upgrades include the installation of a new 3G pitch and new floodlights, signaling a bright future for the club.

Looking ahead, Bedford Town has five more pre-season fixtures. They will face Harpenden Town, Leverstock Green, and Thame United in away matches before returning to Top Field for a challenging fixture against Watford FC's development side. The pre-season schedule concludes with a match against AFC Dunstable and a trip to Taunton Town in Somerset.

Countdown to the New Season

The pre-season performances have set a positive tone for Bedford Town as they prepare for the league season, starting on Saturday 10th August. Fixtures for the forthcoming season will be eagerly anticipated and are set to be announced on Friday 19th July.

With a solid pre-season foundation, exciting new signings, and significant ground improvements, Bedford Town fans have much to look forward to as they hope for a successful and memorable season ahead.