BEDFORD TOWN (The New Eyrie)

SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL, BEDFORD TOWN 1-0 St NEOTS TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 657

Wishing you and yours a very happy and prosperous New Year.

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!

St NEOTS TOWN (New Rowley Park)

SOUTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE, St NEOTS TOWN 1-2 ARLESEY TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 273

As I was heading East this weekend to see the wonderful Beth Orton in concert at the Cambridge Juntion, I had to find a game within radius. A local-ish derby between St Neots and Arlesey (there are 25 miles between each other)  in the Southern Premier, fitted the bill perfectly.

I had heard good reports from fellow 'hoppers about St Neots so it was to New Rowley Park I headed. The ground is a modern new stadium that was opened in 2008. As new builds go, I was rather impressed with the set up. Some thought had gone into the design and there was not a pre-fab stand in sight, which is always good news.

St Neots' current ground is actually their 3rd home in the last 25 years. Their original home, Shortsands, was sold off to property developers in 1988, which forced the club to disband after 109 years.

The club was reformed in 1990 and, after playing on parks pitches in a junior league, the club returned to the United Counties League in 1993  at a new ground, Rowley Park. This ground was then also sold off for housing but the developers, as part of the deal, the developers built the New Rowley Park.

The game had little riding on it, apart from pride, as St Neots were safely ensconced in mid-table, and the Manager in his programme notes admitted they were already plotting for next season, whilst Arlesey had an outside chance off the play offs, but even that was a real long shot.

The game was rather entertaining though as the visitors came from behind to take all three points.

There was not much between the sides in the opening 45 minutes and The Saints just about shaded the half. They took the lead courtesy of a great free-kick from Lewis Hilliard (pictured left) after 18 minutes and were pretty comfortable after that.

Whatever Arlesey player/manager Zema Abbey said in the dressing room at the break certainly worked as The Blues were a different team in the second half.

They levelled things up when a cross from Shane Blackett was headed home at the back stick by Chris Dillon after 58 minutes.

The winner came from Drew Roberts after 75 minutes when he smacked home a sweet shot from distance which flew into the corner of the net. The visitors had dominated the 2nd half and that fantastic goal deserved to settle any game.

Before I end though, I must mention the pie I had at the ground. It was a Steak and Stilton and it has to be the best pie I've had at a ground this season!! Tuck in my son.....



This flag was on display behind the goal at
the ground. I can only assume that St Neots
has a significant Kurdish Population who
are now Saints supporters...