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Steve Russell
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Posts: 3365
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 10:25 am

Bedford Town on Friday Night...(at Hitchin)

Post by Steve Russell »

I will have some of my new badges with me.
From their website..

'Bedford Town Football Club can confirm we will face a QPR U23 development side for the second consecutive
pre-season. Due to ground renovations, the fixture will be played at Top Field, the home of Hitchin Town FC.

A special thank you to all at Hitchin Town FC for hosting this and a selection of our other pre-season friendlies.

Lee Bircham welcomed the developing talents of EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers last pre-season, in
only his sixth game in charge of The Eagles. Rangers' U23 manager Paul Furlong will bring a strong side of pro players
in a tough test for The Eagles.

The fixture will take place on Friday 12th July, kicking off at 7pm at Top Field. The game will be our first "home" fixture
of the pre-season campaign, albeit played at a neutral ground, before the league season kicks off on Saturday 10th August.'
Steve Russell
Site Admin
Posts: 3365
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 10:25 am

Re: Bedford Town on Friday Night...(at Hitchin)

Post by Steve Russell »

Last time.....

Bedford Town (1) – QPR Development Squad (2)

Team: Salamon, Drewe, Larkeche, Woodman, Hawkins, Aoraha, Duke-McKenna, Pedder, Dixon-Bonner,
Armstrong, Kargbo

Subs: Cant, Jude-Boyd, Harrack, Kolli

Sammy collected us from Park Royal and we made the journey to the New Eyrie Stadium in good time.
Match programmes were available, and a number of R’s fans were already in attendance.

The ground was opened in 1993 and next door, literally, in McMullen Park, is the home of Real Bedford FC.
With pirate flags flying aloft, the area between the two grounds sort of resembled ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ in Berlin.

Three minutes in, and Lee Bircham’s side were awarded a free kick 30 yards out in a widish-right position.
Kyle Connolly stepped up and his lofted cross/shot flew straight in.

However, Rangers equalised five minutes later after Sinclair Armstrong had rounded the keeper and Hamzad Kargbo
slotted the loose ball home.

The R’s went close to taking the lead when Hamzad Kargbo’s spectacular effort ended up just wide of the upright.

For the home side, I think it was Kyle Connolly who belted the ball just over the crossbar from around 25 yards.

At the other end, Stephen Duke-McKenna’s cross from the right ended up coming off the post.

QPR took a deserved lead around ten minutes before the break. A deft touch found Rafferty Pedder, who then burst
forward before picking his spot. Half-time: 2-1.

Into the second-half and it was Sinclair Armstrong who, firstly, tested Nathan McDonald and then later, after bombing
down the right-wing, he shot into the side-netting.

The Eagles No.3 was booked for a cynical foul on Rafferty Pedder.

On the hour mark, Rayan Kolli was introduced at the expense of Sinclair Armstrong.

As the R’s looked to increase their lead, Rayan Kolli headed Elijah Dixon-Bonner’s cross over the bar.

Good work by Rafferty Pedder when he dispossessed an opponent in his own half and then take off upfield to just
outside the box before superbly laying the ball off.

An excellent cross from the right found Hamzad Kargbo whose close-range volley was well-grabbed by the keeper.

The final change was made in the 83rd minute when Kayden Harrack replaced Henry Hawkins.

Next up for the Development Squad is a trip to the Powerday Stadium to face Hanwell Town.

Thanks to Sammy for the lift.

Steve Russell
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