Report by Jools Thomas

On a bitterly cold day in Bedfordshire, FC fell to a disappointing defeat in a display that proved the team’s lack of preparation or rustiness depending on whether your glass is half empty or half full. A close range header from a corner just before the half hour mark settled a game which was in truth low on quality and excitement.

The first move of note didn’t even occur until a good quarter of an hour into the game when home defender James Peter fired in a header which FC’s James Weatherill gathered well before Ben Farrell again threatened with a shot that was always going wide. FC had their first chance not too long after this when Brian Haule headed wide from a useful right sided cross. A handful of FC corners on the 20 minute mark could have produced a goal for example when Grant Fryer challenged Bedford keeper Enol Ordonez Suarez. This was followed by a cross shot from Jeanmal Prosper which Suarez tipped over the bar in what was FC’s highlight chance of the first half.
This was the prelude however to Bedford taking the lead. A corner from the right hand side was floated in and Ollie Peters attacked a static FC defence to power home a header from just a few yards. Aston Goss tried to redress the balance with a low shot which in truth lacked the power to trouble Suarez in the home goal.

The second half saw Jamie Rudd replaced by Lynton Goss to add more pace but it was Bedford who started the stronger and only a last ditch Danny Gordon tackle prevented Josh Beech a run on goal. A clever set piece by Daniel Murphy played in Kieron Schmidt on the left and his sweeping cross caused confusion in the box with the home keeper eventually punching clear.
Ben Farrell had a half chance for the home team, shooting wide and in reply Lynton Goss attacked on the right hand side before advancing into the box. It seemed certain that a powerful shot at goal could really test the home keeper however the result was a weak effort that Suarez easily saved and with this went FC’s best chance of the game.

A series of FC substitutions followed with Terry Dixon replacing Brian Haule and although the wide men, most notably Aston Goss were supplying the ammunition, the home defenders dealt with these with comparative ease. Daniel Murphy was substituted for Rob Tomlin with ten minutes to go but then a nasty looking injury to Jeanmal Prosper saw the full back hobble off to leave FC with just ten men for the final few minutes. With this reduction in numbers, out went any hope of a Moles’ comeback and the game limped to its inevitable conclusion.