Bedford Town vs Wingate & Finchley

Harry Smart felt that Bedford’s performance in the 2-2 draw at home to Wingate & Finchley in the Cup, was the worst the side had played this season, despite going into the hat for Monday, courtesy of a couple of George Moncur penalties. Whether the Eagles progress depends on the replay on Tuesday evening, in North London. The Isthmian Premier Division side have already provided a shock, when taking National League South Hemel Hempstead to task in the previous round, and soundly beat Real Bedford the week previous in the Trophy, so were looking for a double down Meadow Lane. The Bedford boss included Junior Gyamfi in the line up, after his suspension, and gave two academy players, Ben Jones and Josh Tabiri, a place on the subs bench. The game started with an industrial tackle from Jake Watkiss on Lewis Franklin within ten seconds of the start, giving Bedford an early set piece to play into the box, with the Blues defending easily. Keeping up with the attack, Gyamfi then fed the ball into the area for Ryan Doherty, but his header was saved by Charlie Grainger. Bedford enjoyed more possession at the start, and just after the ten minute mark, Grainger was at it again, with a fine save from Reece Evans. Wingate then forced the Bedford defence to hook the ball away from the line, before Josh Castiglione became the latest player to be denied by Grainger. Always looking dangerous on the counter, the visitors took the lead on 28 minutes, as Anointed Chukwu flashed a shot across goal from the right corner of the area, to see the ball bulge the net. Wingate took confidence from this and controlled the game, but the lead only lasted ten minutes, as Watkiss bundled Castiglione over, in the area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Moncur stepped up and smashed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. The 2nd half was still inside the first minute of play, when the Blues caught the Eagles cold, and  took the lead, again. The ball was played over from the left flank to the far post for an unmarked Ben Frempah, and his header across goal was directed in from close range by Chukwu, for his brace. Stirring Bedford into action, Moncur fired over the bar, before a series of corners were defended by the away side. Just after the hour, Wingate were down to ten men, when Kai Thomas-Fraser was given a second yellow card for bringing down Castiglione. Wingate stayed resolute as Bedford came forward, but a packed defence worked as one to deny a second home goal. As time was ticking away, a defender cleared off his own line from a Bedford effort, but in the crowd, there was uncertainty who had the last touch, and who cleared. A Castiglione free kick was then saved by Grainger. Into the last ten minutes, a superb Ben Weyman shot was tipped over the bar by Grainger. On 85 minutes, the pressure told, when Louie Kudiabor was felled in the area, and the referee pointed to the spot for a second time. Before it was taken, the man in the middle then looked to have doled out three yellows, but it was unclear who to. With the pressure on him, Moncur stepped up again, and coolly put the ball into the right corner of the net. On the cusp of the 90th minute, Grainger then saved from Gyamfi. Into added time, a brief respite for the visitors was a corner, and a shock third goal never materialised as Laurie Walker was pushed over for a Bedford free kick. The last action of the game saw another great save from Grainger, as he denied a venomous shot from Castiglione. Both clubs go into the hat for the 4th qualifying draw, but after the replay only one will play.

Bedford Town

Match Stats

Wingate & Finchley

73%Possession27%

29Shots8

14Shots on Target5

14Corners4

2Yellow Cards8

0Red Cards2