A very full side turned up to the last game of the pre-season, hoping to stretch their legs and get that all important game experience. A strong side of 17 turned up, which is a record for the club who last season started to struggle with numbers tailing off towards the end of the season. A very energetic team were selected to start the game, adding two new players to the team that played in the friendly at Wooton. Manager Vinny Govoni gave a stern pre-match talk to the starting 11, trying to stir up some passion from the squad.
From the offset you could see that the team has taken the confidence from a very good set of performances during the games already played in the pre-season. The additions of Chaz Martins and Danny Cain to the back line added strength to the team and this was clear from the start.
The team started strong, after listening to their tough manager, playing the ball along the floor and making the opposition do all the work. After a quick 5 minutes the team settled down and locked out the lazy BLT United forwards.
It only took 33 minutes for Bedford Ath to put their noses in front. A quick sweeping team move saw the ball make its way to Shane Horn, who played a smart ball through to Brendan Cunningham smashing the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. The ref however not seeing the ball enter the net didn’t give a goal. However, after swift persuasion from the team the goal was given. The groundkeeper is under investigation after the goal nets weren't secure enough as the shot managed to pull the net off the post.
The team came closer on other occasions with a few set pieces. Jhey Tompkins delivering some inspired ball's into the box, unfortunately not getting the finish they deserved.
The desire for the team though held strong into the break as the defence showed their spirit to lock the other team out. A fantastic start by all the players who earned a well deserved lead.
With the team boasting 17 players, changes were inevitable although no changes occurred at half time. The team came back out fighting hoping to keep the same pace in the game that had been seen in the first half.
A very deflated BLT team came back out to face the Bed Ath boys, and this sign was noticed. The team using this to make sure that they kept on top of the game.
It was more of the same in the second half. The possession was flowing mainly towards the BLT goal with fantastic run's from Carl Pearson and Brendan Cunningham. Manager Vinny Govoni then started to make changes brining on two new players in Jack Murphy and Rob (who unfortunately was injured within 5 minutes of coming on with a twisted knee).
Further substitutions saw Jimmy Lymer and Fabio Perrotta take to the field to let the midfielders, who up to this point had played all over the park. With the team now having fresh legs, the players capitalised and kept pressuring. Andy Slizys also made an appearance after not being seen for a long period.
The game continued to flow with the Bedford Athletic guys getting more chances. A few scary moments where the back line where caught out didn’t phase the inspirational keeper Kit Dixon, who up to this point was close to clinching his first clean sheet.
With 3 minutes left to go, a small goal mouth scramble saw the ball fall to Jimmy Lymer who comfortably placed it in the back of the net to round up a great game for the home side.
This win is the first clean sheet of the pre-season (and also in such a long time I can not actually remember the last one). This game showing the promise for the season to come, the players are in high spirits and the contention of the league title is in sight for the team.
VIVA LA BEDFORD ATH!
