The Eagles made the short journey to Hillgrounds Leisure to face local rivals Kempston Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup. Gary Setchell made five changes to his side after Monday’s loss against Royston Town. Amongst these changes was new signing Sam Dreyer who makes his debut for the Eagles.

Bedford started well as Danny Setchell had a shot go out for a Kempston goal kick within the first minute of the match. As the game settled down, ‘the walnuts’ started applying more pressure to the Bedford defence.

Kempston should have gone 1-0 up after Ben Baker went on a run down the right wing and delivered the ball to James Hatch who practically had an open goal. James Hatch did not convert as his effort flew over the crossbar.

Kempston dominated the rest of the first half, Alex Street was called into action a few times but nothing of concern for the Eagles skipper. The first half finished 0-0.

Gary Setchell made a change at half time. He brought Will Summerfield on for Matt Moloney to try and test the goalkeeper for the home side,

Tyrone Lewthwaite had a brilliant chance to open the scoring about five minutes into the second half. He ran into the box from the left wing but scuffed his shot and it hit the side netting.

Just a few minutes later, Bedford took the lead. A corner was crossed in from the right-hand side and it fell to Drew Richardson who volleyed in off the post to put Bedford a 0-1 lead.

Bedford came close again after Will Summerfield's smart backheel found it's way to Hugh Alban Jones who played it to Tyrone Lewthwaite. His shot went just wide as he almost extended the lead for Bedford Town.

Bedford were really hitting their stride in the second half. Will Summerfield took a free kick from thirty yards out and he laid it off to Danny Setchell. His shot went low and hard but it whistled past the post and out for a goal kick.

Tyrone Lewthwaite almost got his goal later on in the game. Jack Keeble crossed the ball into the box and it was Lewthwaite who rose highest but his header hit the crossbar.

Not long after, Bedford finally had their second. A lovely ball was chipped over the top as a Kempston defender attempted to head it clear but he only headed it into the path of Craig Mackail Smith. Mackail Smith touched it down and calmly slotted the ball past the Kempston goalkeeper to make it 0-2.

The walnuts got one back barely even five minutes later. A great ball was crossed in from the left-hand side into the box where Magloire Muyembe headed into the bottom corner. Despite this, Bedford held on and won 1-2.

A great win against an in-form side for the Eagles who advance to the Second Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup. Up next for Bedford Town is Nuneaton Borough away on next Saturday.

Speaking to Eagles TV, here is what Gary Setchell had to say.

Speaking on the 1-2 win against Kempston, he said “I was a little bit concerned coming into the game because of the absences like Brooksy leaving, Connor things and Charley things. We brought Sam Dreyer in and he had a good debut, Jack Keeble played his first game, Danny Setchell playing his first game. It was all a little bit thrown together in the first half, Kempston had their moments and we had our moments. In the second half, we made our change and I think we bossed the whole second half until they scored.”