The first day of the season had finally arrived and the players and fans swarmed to The Fortress that is the Alexander Sports Centre. The ground had been home to the team all of last season and had been a difficult place for other teams to try and take the points. The club owners deciding to move the team to another stadium, which boasts bigger facilities and a better pitch. The opponents for today had recently been relegated to the 4th division after an interesting season last year. The Bedford Athletic boys not knowing what was to be expected of this fresh team, but not going in too complacent.
An energetic Bedford Athletic team turned up to the game full of hope and promise, that if they put the experiences of their preseason games in to practice they would be rewarded with the points. Assistant Manager, James ‘Rambo’ Luddington selected a very similar side to kick off the season that had been seen throughout the preseason campaign. Two fresh signings, Oli Plested and Sunil Ram added to the bench hoping to see some game time for the first time for the team.
The game kicked off with the usual pace seen in all Bedford Ath games, the team obviously not fully awake to start off with. However, this spell didn’t last long before the team piled on the pressure. Carl Pearson chasing down the goal keeper and forcing a mistake, which Stuart ‘Crouch’ Gibbs netted to see the first goal of the season for the team.
The match started to slow down with the flow of the game going mostly Ath’s way. The lead was short lived after a small defensive error saw Old Boys head themselves back into the game.
The game took a slight twist when Shane ‘Mowgli’ Horn was subbed off injured allowing new signing Oli Plested to make his debut for the side. Shane, who had suffered a slight injury early in the preseason matches, clashing with a player and landing on his shoulder.
The first game of the season is a magical day, and this magic was certainly seen next. Last season’s defender of the year, Garry ‘Dawson’ Dearman, obviously felt this magic and decided to stay up field after a set piece. A shot from Carl Pearson was saved by the goal keeper, only able to push it straight into the centre backs path. Garry who last season was the top own goal scorer used this opportunity to put this statistic right, and calmly placed the ball round the keeper with his LEFT foot (I know, we couldn’t believe it either).
Bedford Ath's defence held strong wanting to keep their lead, Tim Luddington making challenges all over the pitch to deny the opponents a way back into the game. The first half coming to a close with the guys feeling the lead was well deserved. The positivity from the team was visible and only good things were to come.
The second half restarted with a shock. Old boys feeling the motivation to get back into the game quickly drawing the score level to 2-2 with a good finish. This was to set the tone for the game for the next 15 mins, as both teams upped the ante.
A well worked move resulted in a corner for the Bedford Athletic team starting to find their teams weaknesses. What was next to come was another shock. Jhey Tompkins whipping a quick ball in, only to find the head of the left back Urbano Ciampa, the ball looping over the keeper to hit the up-right and bouncing into the net. Urbano keeping true to his form, scoring in the first game of last season also. This goal was the best of the day, and is hopefully a sign of what’s to come from the improving left back.
Another turn of events saw the opponents again draw level, with another good finish. The ball beating to out-stretched Kit Dixon in goal, going in off the cross bar.
It was from this point in that the game changed for the best. An enraged old boys team saw the ball yet again enter their net, as the ref gave a difficult decision against the team. The ball had appeared to be controlled back to the hands of the keeper, and a free-kick was given for a pass back. The ball rolled back by Danny Cain only to be struck by substitute Oli Plested smashing into the top of the net.
The emphasis shifted towards the Bedford Athletic team, as their opponents started to argue amongst themselves. Daniel Ritchie intercepting a goal kick, to play the ball through to Carl Pearson, placing the ball between the keepers legs and into the back of the net. Carl was ecstatic to score his goal in this fashion, after a long preseason practicing this signature move.
With the team in full flow, the stand-in manager James decided to change up the team, Carl Person and Stuart Gibbs making way for Sunil Ram and Andy Slizys.
Further pain was added to the Old Boys team when Oli Plested netted his second of the game. (Unfortunately I can’t remember very much about this goal, sorry Oli.)
A slight setback for the team was to follow, as a penalty was awarded to the other team for an alleged push on the forward for the old boys. Despite mind games trying to put off the penalty taker, the ball was then calmly placed beyond the Keeper bringing the game back to 6-4.
The Bedford Athletic boys, not wanting to settle with this score line had further chances to increase their lead, chances falling to Brendan Cunningham, who was placed at 5/1 to score during the match, and Andy Slizys. Odds provided by Bet365.com.
The game was then put to bed when the other new signing Sunil Ram added his name to a long list of goal scorers, making the final score 7-4.
This dramatic first game to the season was certainly a crowd pleaser as they definitely got their money’s worth (we should start charging for this sort of action).
Overall it was a very convincing performance from the Bedford athletic side, who after 1 game see themselves top of Division 4 (well until all the results are added, we were top at one stage). The team believe that this could be a very good season and that better things are yet to come. James Luddington letting his side know just how proud he was of the team.
