Post by MozzaBedfordSpur on Aug 13, 2006 10:28:58 GMT -1
The Eagles were very good value for their first point of the season in their debut in the Conference South.
On balance Bedford could have taken all three points in an excellent game in spite of a very strong wind blowing straight down the ground.
Michael Lyon, in blue, steals the ball from the Eastleigh defence Striker John Lawford made his Eagles debut and he and Mike Lyons struck up an excellent partnership as the game progressed.
Eastleigh, who finished seventh last season had former Southampton Premiership players Jason Dodd and Francis Benali in their line-up but the Eagles were not overawed playing at a higher level.
Bedford had to play against the wind in the first half but employed a neat passing game which was not influenced by the elements.
After six minutes Matt Childs passed down the right to Aaron Cavill and saw the midfielder bring the ball under control and volley in one movement forcing Paul Musselwite to make a good save diving to his right.
Ian Brown in the Bedford goal also had to make an excellent save after ten minutes when a cross by Darren Wheeler from the right reached Lee Howarth whose clearance was poor and straight to Danny Smith whose powerful drive from 25 yards had to be parried away by Brown.
The Eagles enjoyed an excellent attacking spell in the middle of the half with Lawford showing his experience and Lyons exhibiting considerable speed.
Derwayne Stupple was winning every ball in midfield but his robust style often attracts the attention of the referee and after 26 minutes he was unlucky to be booked for what was the first foul of the match.
As half-time approached the Eagles were attacking but Jason James’ pass to Matt Childs was too short form the full back and Eastleigh counterattacked.
Wheeler raced down the left and with Childs upfield the Eagles were exposed. Wheeler beat Howarth and his shot was well saved by Brown who tipped it onto the bar but it rebounded to Smith who crossed back for Wheeler to tap in.
Eagles captain Lee Howarth strikes a penalty which he puts in the top right hand corner past Eastleigh keeper Paul Musselwite in yesterday’s season’s opener After the break the Eagles continued to attack and drew level on 61 minutes.
Cavill found Eddie Lawley who returned the pass to Cavill who raced into the penalty area. His screaming shot hit the inside of the post and was scrambled away for a corner.
Mike Ford’s kick was headed goalwards by Lawford but Dave Town handled the ball on the line. Town was sent off and Bedford had a penalty.
Skipper Howarth took the responsibility and thumped his shot high into the net.
Both sides continued to push forward in search of three points and against ten men Bedford seemed the likelier winner.
With two minutes to go Stupple dived in for a challenge and was shown a second yellow card. From the ensuing free kick Steve Forbes headed just over the bar.
The Eagles will take a lot of confidence from the quality of their performance into their next two games which are away at Histon on Wednesday and at Yeading next Saturday.
Bedford: Brown, Childs, Ford, Cavill, Howarth, Hoyte, James, Stupple, Lawford, Lyons and Lawley.
Subs used: Draycott and Farrell Att: 538.
On balance Bedford could have taken all three points in an excellent game in spite of a very strong wind blowing straight down the ground.
Michael Lyon, in blue, steals the ball from the Eastleigh defence Striker John Lawford made his Eagles debut and he and Mike Lyons struck up an excellent partnership as the game progressed.
Eastleigh, who finished seventh last season had former Southampton Premiership players Jason Dodd and Francis Benali in their line-up but the Eagles were not overawed playing at a higher level.
Bedford had to play against the wind in the first half but employed a neat passing game which was not influenced by the elements.
After six minutes Matt Childs passed down the right to Aaron Cavill and saw the midfielder bring the ball under control and volley in one movement forcing Paul Musselwite to make a good save diving to his right.
Ian Brown in the Bedford goal also had to make an excellent save after ten minutes when a cross by Darren Wheeler from the right reached Lee Howarth whose clearance was poor and straight to Danny Smith whose powerful drive from 25 yards had to be parried away by Brown.
The Eagles enjoyed an excellent attacking spell in the middle of the half with Lawford showing his experience and Lyons exhibiting considerable speed.
Derwayne Stupple was winning every ball in midfield but his robust style often attracts the attention of the referee and after 26 minutes he was unlucky to be booked for what was the first foul of the match.
As half-time approached the Eagles were attacking but Jason James’ pass to Matt Childs was too short form the full back and Eastleigh counterattacked.
Wheeler raced down the left and with Childs upfield the Eagles were exposed. Wheeler beat Howarth and his shot was well saved by Brown who tipped it onto the bar but it rebounded to Smith who crossed back for Wheeler to tap in.
Eagles captain Lee Howarth strikes a penalty which he puts in the top right hand corner past Eastleigh keeper Paul Musselwite in yesterday’s season’s opener After the break the Eagles continued to attack and drew level on 61 minutes.
Cavill found Eddie Lawley who returned the pass to Cavill who raced into the penalty area. His screaming shot hit the inside of the post and was scrambled away for a corner.
Mike Ford’s kick was headed goalwards by Lawford but Dave Town handled the ball on the line. Town was sent off and Bedford had a penalty.
Skipper Howarth took the responsibility and thumped his shot high into the net.
Both sides continued to push forward in search of three points and against ten men Bedford seemed the likelier winner.
With two minutes to go Stupple dived in for a challenge and was shown a second yellow card. From the ensuing free kick Steve Forbes headed just over the bar.
The Eagles will take a lot of confidence from the quality of their performance into their next two games which are away at Histon on Wednesday and at Yeading next Saturday.
Bedford: Brown, Childs, Ford, Cavill, Howarth, Hoyte, James, Stupple, Lawford, Lyons and Lawley.
Subs used: Draycott and Farrell Att: 538.
