Report by Jools Thomas

The scene was all set for a good afternoon’s football; two successive 8-1 home league wins, glorious Autumn weather and a healthy crowd including many onlookers visiting Haywood Way for the first time gave the occasion a sense of expectancy. It seems as if Bedford Town had not read the script as they swept Aylesbury FC aside with ease as the home side crumbled under an avalanche of away goals.

The opening salvos of the game gave an indication there would be goals. Sonny French had a shot within the first 15 seconds and a minute or two later Jamie Rudd chipped a shot over the bar. In response Bedford’s Tommy Glasscoe had a shot blocked by Connor Baker before Brad Wadkins played in Gareth Price. Gareth’s powerful shot was well saved by away keeper Lee Crockett. As the half developed, Paul Cooper played in a decent cross for Bedford before striker Josh Winters crashed in a ball that just cleared the post.

Sonny French had FC’s next chance just after the 20 minute mark and he saw his carefully drilled effort pushed round the post. FC keeper James Warrington then marshalled out a whistling Glasscoe blast and the same man forced Warrington into a last gap save following a mistake by Dave O’Connor. With just seven minutes until half time, Bedford took a deserved lead. A quick cross from the right was met by Tom Liversedge whose smart header arrowed into the bottom corner of the goal. On the stroke of half time, a calamitous sequence of events saw the home team fall further behind and with a mountain to climb. A poor executed Warrington clearance found Tom Liversedge whose shot hit the post. Not to be deterred Liversedge attacked with equal gusto a matter of seconds later. A still flustered Warrington got his angles all wrong and the Bedford man was able to sweep the ball into the net.

The second half started more positively for FC. After Dan Burke went close for the away team, Aston Goss attacked down the left before placing a quality cross into the path of Gareth Price who smashed the goal homewards for 2-1 on 49 minutes.

Any FC fans who believed this was the start of a comeback were in for a rude awakening. Eight minutes later James Warrington, in an afternoon he would rather forget, spilled the ball after a mere speculative effort from the left, only to see Bedford full back Joe Hopewell pounce at the back post to make the core 3-1. This score line was very quickly increased as Aylesbury collapsed as any type of worthwhile opposition. A lofted ball from the left was met on the head by Jeff Woodward and his looping header beat Warrington to nestle in the back of the FC net.

Sonny French and Wadkins combined well to provide Wadkins with a half chance and Hopewell attacked with purpose in response before unleashing a venomous shot which just cleared the woodwork. Bedford were soon back in the business of scoring goals as they grabbed their fifth goal of the afternoon. With fifteen minutes remaining Rob Parker was afforded the freedom of the borough of Aylesbury and he gratefully extended his side’s lead.

FC could have grabbed a consolation in the final few minutes, most notably from a Brian Haule header, however by now the fight had gone from the team. FC players and supporters were relieved to hear the referee’s final whistle to put them out of their misery.