It was a warm Wednesday evening at the Eyrie and the perfect night for some football. And what better to do then watch Bedford Town play on the playoffs? The Eagles faced Ware FC in the Southern League Division One Central play-off semi-final for a spot in the play-off final.

Ware had the first chance of the game just one minute in. Jack Green managed to get booked within the process of the foul but the free-kick itself was comfortably gathered by Mark Smith.

Bedford had the next big chance after some excellent work from Leon Loboit on the left wing enabled him to get in behind the defence. He lofted in a lovely cross, but Ryan Blake’s header was saved by the goalkeeper.

Ten minutes before the break, Bedford took the lead. This came after a brilliant corner was swung in and Alex Collard won the ball and headed it past the goalkeeper to give Bedford an important lead.

Bedford didn’t stop there as the Eagles hunted for a second goal. A Ryan Blake cross in was blocked by the defended but fell to Josh Mullins whose effort grazed the crossbar.

The Eagles were relentless with their attacks and a goal was coming. Liam Dulson went on a great run down the right wing and put a teasing ball into the box, but Leon Lobjoit couldn’t quite finish it.

Seconds before halftime, the Eagles deservedly doubled their lead. Ryan Blake went on a brilliant run down the right wing and turned the defender inside out before playing the ball across the box. Jeanmal Prosper got a flick on it so it fell perfectly to Leon Lobjoit who made no mistake with a perfect finish.

In the second half, Ware began to get into the game a bit more and created a few chances. These chances were nothing Mark Smith couldn’t deal with as he kept them out.

The Bedford defence was resilient and there seemed to be no way through for Ware as it seemed certain that Bedford would see out the game.

The Eagles almost had a third goal when a ball in from Liam Dulson was flicked goalbound by Leon Lobjoit and looked like it could loop over the Ware goalkeeper. Fred Burbridge made a great save and tipped it over the crossbar.

In the dying seconds, Ware did get a goal back from a short free kick which was played across the box. The ball fell to Kieran Bishop who finished well but it was too little too late for Ware as the Eagles progressed.