For me 2022 began with a trip to Bedfordshire and the Southern League clash between Bedford and St Neots.
This was a bit of trek for me for a New Year's Day, so why Bedford? Is there any rhyme or reason to this groundhopping lark? Well, with the FA Cup looming large on the horizon for my beloved Everton, this presented an opportunity to step back in time and connect with a small piece of blue football history.
Everton won the FA Cup in 1966 and en-route to the final they were drawn away at Bedford Town in the 4th Round. The Toffees won 3-0 courtesy of goals from Fred Pickering and Derek Temple (x2). The tie resulted in Bedford Town's record crowd attendance of 18,407.
I was very happy to pick up a copy of the programme from the Everton game in Bedford Town's superb heritage centre at the ground.
That game was played at Bedford's old ground, in Queens Park which was demolished after the club folded in 1982, after the lease on the ground was terminated. Bedford Town were resurrected in 1989 and a new ground was built in the village of Cardington, on the outskirts of Bedford, after the reformed club initially played on a pitch in Queen's Park.
The New Eyrie, with a capacity of 3,000, opened in 1993 with a friendly against Peterborough United. It was a full house and that remains the record attendance at this ground. Prior to 1982, Bedford were a major force in the Southern League, winning the title in 1959.
Since they reformed the highest level the club has reached is the Conference South, but they finished rock bottom and were relegated back to the Southern League. This season the club are competing in the Southern League Division One Central (step four in the National League system).
After heavy rain in the previous days, the match was played on a very heavy pitch. Most of the chances that came by went either high or wide and, in truth, neither goalkeeper was properly tested.
It was The Eagles who dominated the majority of play and carved out the best opportunities and St Neots held out for 54 minutes against the league leaders before eventually conceding, Rene Howe heading home from close range. Two minutes later The Saints were reduced to 10 men, Charlie Johnson shown a red card and that was effectively that.
Bedford however couldn't find that elusive second goal and the final moments of the game a defensive mix-up nearly gifted the visitors an equaliser but The Eagles held on to begin 2022 top of the table.
As well as the programme shop, I must also mention the tea hut in the corner of the ground where a cuppa with a slice of homemade bread and butter pudding was a bargain £1.20.
A most pleasant way to start a New Year!
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