BEDFORD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Life under Danny Nicholls started with mixed views and fortunes on Tuesday night at Stourbridge for the Eagles. Despite going down to a 2-1 defeat, the new duo of Nicholls and Alan Biley will have seen enough to believe they can keep the club in the division.

Whether it be the want to impress the new manager effect or already a difference in motivation, the Eagles clearly came out with purpose and but for a crazy 90 second spell in the second half, would have got off to the perfect start under Nicholls.

Bedford showed their intentions of attack from the start. New centre forward Fejiri Okenabirhie signed on loan from Stevenage earlier in the afternoon went straight into the starting line up. His link up play with the midfield quartet of Shaw, Davis, Nash and Rhiney was already giving the forward line something that was lacking in previous games.

The first opportunity came on six minutes. Fabio Bufano won a free kick in a testing position which Curtis Shaw placed just wide. Leon Broadhurst then forced Green into a good save from a Stourbridge counter attack before Okenabirhie fired his first effort tamely at Coleman in the Stourbridge goal.

Four minutes later and the end to end fashion of the game continued to be played out. Taylor Rhiney forced Coleman into a good save before Yamfam saw his effort directed straight into the Keeper’s hands.

As much as the Eagles were attacking with greater purpose than in previous weeks, they were also under the pressure of defence. Stourbridge were exploiting their wing play well with Benbow and Knight causing issue down either side for Bufano and Cooper. Green was forced into another fine stop from Bennett but the Eagles were holding firm against a strong Stourbridge side.

On twenty-two minutes the Eagles came the closest of either side to scoring. Taylor Rhiney crossed the ball into the area and the clearance was poorly dealt with. The ball landed at the feet of Shaw who fizzed a shot at goal which had Coleman beaten all ways round. Unfortunately, the ball did not quite dip enough and his effort hit the top of the crossbar. As the gathering players waited for the ball to land from it’s flight, Yamfam was unable to finish the chance and the ball went out for a corner.

Bedford’s defensive frailties were again exposed on twenty seven minutes, as Benbow crossed hard and low for Knight who failed to convert the chance, instead clearing the bar and the shed stand behind.

Stourbridge mustered up one last chance of the first half. Sam Geddes, captain for the home side, placed his shot well into the corner. However, Green was showing one of his better displays of the last few months and expertly tipped the ball round the post.

Bedford once more started the second half slowly and two minutes in were lucky not to fall behind. Stourbridge substitute Sam Rock broke free on the right side before unleashing a shot that looked goal bound. Green got down well and denied the winger the opening goal.

On fifty-four minutes the travelling Eagles got the goal they had longed for. Jordan Davis cut down the wing, not giving up on a lost cause. The young winger played inside to Okenabirhie who fired into the top corner from 20 yards. The goal sparked wild celebrations in front of the dugout with every outfield player involved.

Stourbridge reacted strongly, as expected to going a goal behind. On sixty-two minutes Green was fortunate to see a free kick he left hit the post before Wall dealt with the rebound.

The high intensity that Nicholls had requested the Eagles play at was clearly taking its toll on some members, with players going down with cramp and other injuries. Surely against his wishes, the new manager was forced into a double change of Kerran Birch and David Femiola coming on for the tiring Jerry Nash and Taylor Rhiney.

The effort that the Eagles put in appeared to be all in vein, as Stourbridge turned the game around in two crazy minutes. Firstly, Luke Benbow expertly took down a cross field ball in the area. The winger was able to shoot hard and low at Green. The Bedford goalkeeper got down well to the ball but couldn’t get down quick enough and could only deflect the effort into the net.

From the resulting restart, the Eagles conceded possession. Stourbridge broke down the left side before Leon Broadhurst unleashed a wild effort that was heading wide. This was until Kayelden Brown stuck out a foot to divert the ball into the corner of the net.

Nicholls gave one last throw of the dice, bringing on Omar McLeary-Stephens for Yamfam. The tall striker did have one chance, but unselfishly cut back to find one of two Eagles attackers. His effort did not reach them and Stourbridge cleared.

At the end of the game Danny Nicholls reflected stating ‘It was a good work out and the lads did what was asked of them tonight. Fitness clearly was an issue but this will be worked on’.

Nicholls also confirmed he will now look to add a few members to his squad over the coming weeks. The Eagles travel to Burnham on Saturday before back to back home games against Hungerford and St Neots to finish January.

Bedford: Green, Cooper, Bufano, Nash, Wall, Sonuga, Davis, Shaw, Yamfam, Okenabirhie, Rhiney SUBS: Stephens, Femiola, McLeary-Stephens, Birch.

Referee: Mr Avent

Assistants: Mr Chalmers and Mr Wilding.

Attendance: 261