Jackson’s super strike helps Bedford beat Barnes

The maroons had striker Zoe Burford available again after recovering from a broken hand and Bedford started with 3 upfront looking to deploy an aggressive press against Barnes who had started the season well with 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats from their first half dozen games. With heavy rainfall overnight, the Barnes pitch at Dukes Meadow was very spongey which sapped the ball pace and tempo of the game somewhat. With both teams targeting the game for points, a fierce battle ensued in an even contest; low in quality but high in heart and spirit.

Bedford had most of the play in the games early stages but were guilty of forcing the ball into contact which created easy turnovers for Barnes rather than exploiting space out wide. When the maroons were able to get to the baseline in the 14th minute, Charlotte Holland found Clare Beattie and she was able to draw the defender and pull the ball back to Burford who finished calmly from close range to give Bedford a 1-0 lead. Bedford were tackling well with Jenna Maclaren and Emma Pinny not giving Barnes an inch of time or space in the middle of the park however Bedford were all too often sloppy in possession. Barnes themselves threated on the break with some direct running and neat skills keeping Jackson and Priston at centre back alert. Elli Priston was enjoying another excellent game, carrying the ball forward well. She weaved around several challenges, all the way into the circle but her shot was blasted over while a couple of BHC corners were repelled by the London sides defence. Shortly before half time and Barnes found an equaliser, a little lift over a defender’s stick and an incisive 1-2 saw the blues forward strike through the onrushing Leanne Sargeant.

Into the second half and the game became more and more feisty with some robust tackles leading to sin bins for both sides. SJ Darrington, Sam Turner and Beth Noble made some fine interceptions at the back, but Bedford couldn’t translate their play into clear cut opportunities with lots of unforced errors going forward. However, Bedford stayed resilient and kept working hard, closing down their opponents, chasing and trying to create opportunities. Leanne Sargeant in the Bedford goal also had to be sharp to deny Barnes from penalty corners and just as the clock was running down, a foot in the Barnes circle gave the maroons one final opportunity. Up stepped Rachel Jackson at the top of the circle and her strike was deflected into the goal for a vital 3 points and a second league victory which sparked “Hollie Webb-esque” celebrations.

This was certainly a case of winning ugly, but Bedford showed battling qualities that they will need to rediscover again next week when they host Harleston Magpies. The game will be played on Sunday at Bedford School Gordon Fields with a 1pm push back.