Bedford looked apprehensive in the warm up, giving respect to their opponents from Kent who were the last side to take maximum points at Chester Road and the only side to beat Bedford in the second part of last season. The first 35 minutes were rather bland and uneventful with goal opportunities at a premium and both teams evenly matched in the possession stats. The introduction of Mason-McLeod however, helped to unlock the Maidstone back line and she flashed a snapshot over the bar whilst Kate Costin brought a save out of the Maidstone keeper from a narrow angle and Steph Holyoak had a half chance from a penalty corner which was cleared away. Maidstone counterattacked with good pace and purpose and Bedford just lacked adequate communication and intensity in their press and play more generally.

At half time, the message from coach Tom Hewitt was to remain patient. Bedford upped their levels with the defence stepping in to make stronger interceptions and the forwards pressing with more effect, leading to unforced errors from the visitors. Bedford went close from a penalty corner before Kate Costin broke the deadlock when she eliminated a couple of defenders and the opportunity arose for a reverse stick effort past Maidstone keeper Jenny Vincent. Bedford grew in confidence with SJ Darrington, Becky Tarrant and Harri Kinnear now able to come forward from their half back roles. The maroons doubled their lead after 50 minutes from a short corner, struck hard to the keeper’s right at a tricky height by captain Rachel Jackson for her third goal of the season. Bedford's fitness was now beginning to tell with MOTM Charlotte Holland at the heart of many of Bedford’s attacking moves. Hewitt's team managed to threaten the Maidstone circle a number of times yet their conversion rates remain work in progress with a number of easy passes going amiss. Bedford were able to make it 3-0 just before the end of the game as Charlotte Holland was deservedly on hand to emphatically deflect the ball high into the roof of the net from a training ground penalty corner routine. At the other end with Emma Pinny and Elli Priston sharp in sniffing out Maidstone breaks, Leanne Sargeant was just a bystander.

A few favourable results in the East Prem see's Bedford move up to 3rd place ahead of next week’s trip to local rivals St Albans in fourth.