Bedford went into the game in high spirits after their crucial win last week with Claire Higginson replacing Sherri Fensom in Tom Hewitt’s only squad change. The entire match was one way traffic and but for some great goalkeeping from the Wisbech number one, the score line could have been double figures. Bedford pressed from the outset and won a series of penalty corners in the game’s opening exchanges with the skills of Sam Turner, Charlotte Holland, Andrea Mason and Kate Costin too much for the Wisbech defence to contend with. It took a while for Bedford to turn their pressure into goals but mid-way through the first half Higginson snuck in a good shot at the near post before Emma Pinny swept a ball to the back post where Steph Holyoak would tuck home her first goal of the day. Just before half time, Bedford put the result beyond doubt thanks to a quick brace of replica goals from BMS youngster Pippa Jones. Beth Noble the provider on both occasions from the left of the circle where her pass dissected the Wisbech defence and Jones was first able to tap home then dive in at full stretch for her second.

At half time, Bedford wanted to guard against complacency. For the duration of the game the Bedford defence had so much time and space on the ball with Maclaren and Jackson finding their passing range and Leanne Sargeant just a spectator. Emma Pinny was at the heart of much of Bedford’s play and SJ Darrington in the right-wing back roll could maraud forward at will. More goals followed with Costin setting up Holyoak before Becca Budd popped up to finish from close range. The second half saw many more chances, corners and pressure from the maroons and Holyoak grabbed her hat-trick with a back-post deflection before Higginson made it eight from the second phase of a corner which meant the bumper presidents day crowd went home very happy.

The result leaves Bedford 4 points clear at the top but with two games still in hand on second placed Ipswich. The maroons can win the league title and secure promotion back to the National League next weekend with positive results from their games against Brom Becks and Maidstone in a double header weekend.