Bedford take a massive step towards National League

With a good week of training under their belt, Bedford went into their top two clash with calm heads and feeling relaxed. Andrea Mason was back in the squad after being side-lined for a month with a broken thumb whilst coach Tom Hewitt drew on the experience of former captain Sherri Fensom, keen to stop a run of three consecutive draws which had cut Bedford’s lead at the top of the East Prem.

Bedford made a strong start and enjoyed a lot of early possession with Rachel Jackson, Sam Turner and Beth Noble moving the ball around confidently. Bedford pressed their opponents with good work from Steph Holyoak and Pippa Jones which gave Kate Costin the first opportunity to put a shot at goal, winning a corner which captain Jackson struck to the right post but the Ipswich post player stood firm. Emma Pinny was tenacious throughout in the central midfield role, winning tackle after tackle and Bedford were able to play their passing patterns in and around the circle with Charlotte Holland and Becca Budd dictating the play. As the half wore on, Ipswich started to grow in confidence and the high quality contest ebbed and flowed with both teams striving to make a mark on the scoresheet. The introduction of SJ Darrington brought renewed intensity down the right for Bedford and Holland struck a shot just wide of the goal whilst at the other end, Leanne Sargeant was looking in fine fettle in the Bedford goal and her defensive unit, nullified Ipswich’s short corner threat.

Bedford were happy with their work rate and quality on the ball at half time so coach Tom Hewitt called for continued composure and belief. The second half saw both teams looking more threatening with Ipswich racking up the corners but Pinny was able to run down their slips and one shot was well cleared off the line. Bedford were tackling superbly and Jenna Maclaren was immense coming from nowhere to put a last ditch block in when the Ipswich forward had rounded Sargeant. Bedford started to find more space in their attacks with Mason and Budd combining well to link the play. Mid way through the half Bedford struck a decisive goal; Budd found Costin in the circle and she rode a tackle which sent her away from goal but still she managed to pull out a reverse stick shot which arrowed past the keeper. Bedford then needed to be resolute after losing Fensom to a yellow card but the team stuck to their task and kept their shape. Further fine tackling was on display from the maroons as Ipswich threw caution to the wind. The Suffolk side struck a reverse stick shot into the side board and there were a few narrow escapes but generally Jackson and Maclaren were in control.

With a full complement restored and five minutes left on the clock Bedford put the icing on the cake as MOTM Costin rolled her defender before striking a fine lifted goal past the onrushing keeper which enabled Bedford to see the game out for a vital 3 points in their quest for national league hockey. Next week Bedford are at home against Wisbech Town. Push back at Chester Road is 1pm.