BPWFC v Real Bedford
Burton Park Wanderers hosted high flying Real Bedford in the Wanderers first home game of the season in the Spartan South Midlands league.
Real Bedford started on the front foot at Latimer Park with a big chance falling to the Bedford number 10 after the opening 2 minutes but Burton keeper Harvey Bolland threw himself at the attackers feet to turn the ball over the bar for a corner to the away side. 
The chances didn’t stop for Bedford as a few minutes later the number 8 crossed a ball into the box which fell to the number 11, before the resulting strike went wide of Burton’s goal.
Real Bedford’s pressure paid off in the 35th minute as a header from the Bedford defender cleared everyone on the pitch and found the path of the striker who coolly slotted past Bolland for 1-0.
It wasn’t long before Bedford found their second with a ball over the top once again finding the number 9 who twisted and turned before firing a shot across goal and making it 2-0 just before the break in a half where Burton Park struggled to find their feet.
The second half saw much less action from the travelling side as Burton began to show what they was about with some excellent hard work and determination in the middle of the park.
With one of their only chances of the game, the The Wanderers found an all important goal with 2 minutes of play left! A perfectly placed ball over the Bedford defence by substitute Michal Tkacik found the other substitute Boyd Lyons who kept his composure and slotted past the Bedford keeper.
A change in atmosphere around Latimer Park after the goal almost inspired a great comeback from Burton but the away side held on to regain their 100% record in the division. Nevertheless the home side showed resilience throughout the game and should come away from the match pleasured with how they presented themselves.
FULL TIME SCORE:
Burton Park Wanderers 1-2 Real Bedford
Many Thanks to Aaron Stacey for this match report.
Managers Report
Manager Chris Smith
We have been in a fortunate position to have had most of our teams watched prior to us playing them and based on what intel we had – we went into the game with Real Bedford with a different approach to how we had in the previous two games. I don’t mean this disrespectfully to Letchworth or London Tigers in anyway, but Bedford are a different beast. We set up responsibly and hoped to frustrate the away side, then grow into the game and add in a different attacking proposition as the game entered the final third. This worked well apart from the two goals we conceded that were preventable. I was proud of the fight the lads put into the game and we will hope to build on that.
Good luck to Bedford, I haven’t seen many better than them at this level or the above.
Unfortunately Gavin Vella and Kieran Davies suffered bad injuries which look to keep them out for some time. It is gutting to lose another two key players after losing Sven, Dan, Sam, and Colm to long term injuries during preseason. Both Gav and Kieran ended up at a&e so we wish a quick recovery for both.
We move on to Lutterworth on Tuesday night which will bring different challenges and a different approach, but we will be looking to get our first points on the board. Be great to see a good crowd down there under the lights.
Chris Smith