| Date | Saturday 22 November 2014 |
| Match | Bedford Town v Royston Town |
| Competition | Evo-Stik League Southern: Division One Central |
| Result | Lost 3-1 |
| Attendance |
212 |
| Royston Scorers | Ingrey |
| Crows MoM |
– |
After two decent results in cup matches it was back to the bread and butter of the league campaign for the Crows. With Kettering Town dominating this division and still splashing the cash to strengthen their squad – prolific goal-scorer David Kolodynski making the move from Rugby Town in the week – it is realistic to surmise that one of the play-off places is now the target for Royston to achieve.
If today’s match was anything to go by there is a lot of work to be done by Steve Castle and his beleaguered squad before they can even realistically consider a top five finish. Fourth from bottom, but in form, Bedford Town out-battled, out-witted, out-desired and out-thought the Crows who put in a thoroughly sub-standard performance despite making a good start.
Two minutes in Ryan Ingrey closed down dithering home keeper Garry Malone and his forced, desperate clearance struck the striker and rebounded into the gaping net. Royston could have doubled their early lead when Reece Dobson could not stretch enough to reach Ryan Lockett’s wayward shot.
Unfortunately for the travelling Royston support that was about it for dominance in this game as the Eagles got a claw hold and started to force their visitors back consistently exposing the Royston back three and scrabbling wing back cover into hasty and half clearances.
Bedford got their deserved equaliser on 31 minutes from a cheaply conceded and poorly defended corner as Stuart Smethers headed home unopposed and five minutes later the home side took the lead opening up the Crows’ defence too easily as Rob Parker drove forward evading half challenges and a good pass found his team-mate Tom Liversedge to slot past the exposed Dominic Russo.
Some brave but desperate defending from the Crows early in the second half limited the damage and half chances up the Bedford end were seen with skipper Jack Bradshaw heading over from a corner and Lockett striking along pot that swung wide.
Changes were rung – Liam McDevitt made his returning debut replacing Wharton and George Powell was exchanged for Lewis Endacott to re-jig the defence and allow others to push on slightly. With 12 minutes to go returning from injury Craig Hammond came on for Lockett.
The game became more stretched and we saw a goal-mouth scramble at both ends but it was Bedford who put this totally forgettable game to bed with a minute to go. A good move up the right wing was allowed to play on by the referee and Josh McGoldrick crossed unselfishly for Scott Cross to plunder.
Team: Russo, Bradshaw, Powell (Endacott), Wharton (McDevitt), Mentis, Bridges Scott, Bridges Stuart, Dobson, Hart, Lockett (Hammond), Ingrey. Sub not used – Nightingale.
