The phrase ‘Friday Night Lights’ is one usually associated with a cracking atmosphere at the home of Bedford Blues, Goldington Road, but for the first time, Real Bedford are hosting a Friday night game as they host Leighton Town in the FA Trophy this evening (20 September).
Across the way, its an exciting time for Bedford Town who finally get the opportunity to play on their new 3G surface at The Eyrie as they welcome Redditch United in Southern League Premier Central on Saturday afternoon.
There’s also the long-awaited beginning of the RFU Championship season, with Bedford Blues hosting Caldy so there’s plenty of choice to soak up local sport this weekend.
First ever Friday night game at Real
There have been a number of firsts at the Ledger Stadium, formerly known as McMullen Park, in recent years and Friday night brings another one as the Men host their first ever fixture on a Friday evening in the next round of the FA Trophy.
The visitors are fellow Southern League Central Division One side, Leighton Town who progressed to this second qualifying round courtesy of a penalty shoot out win against Stotfold, while Rob Sinclair’s side scored a late winner at Walthamstow to advance.
Real’s league form has remained consistent in these early days, remaining one point behind league leaders, Hadley in the eighth tier following a comfortable 3-0 win at Leverstock Green last time out.
Kick off at the Ledger Stadium is at 7.45pm on Friday, and tickets for the encounter can be bought here.
Super Saturday at The Eyrie
It’s been a long time coming, but Bedford Town are finally home on Saturday (21 September) as they play their first game of the new season on their brand new 3G pitch against Redditch United.
The Eagles have began their season at step three well, despite the need to play their home games between Hitchin Town and Biggleswade Town, but Lee Bircham will be looking to expand on that in welcoming a good Redditch side who have had a decent start themselves.
Town also have the added benefit of fresh legs after a free Saturday last week, so with a brand new feel around The Eyrie, all those associated with Bedford Town will hope Eagles fans come out in their droves to see in a new era.
Tickets for the first game to take place at the new look Eyrie can be bought here.
Kempston Rovers are also in home action in the FA Vase at Hillgrounds as they welcome Desborough Town of the United Counties League.
After relegation from step four last season, Rovers have struggled to gain any momentum; a 5-0 midweek loss to Biggleswade United compounding a poor start with only three league wins in ten games.
Tickets at Hillgrounds are available on the gate with a 3pm kick off on Saturday 21st September.
The Championship kicks off
It’s been another tumultuous week for the Championship clubs in the world of rugby union as they learnt that their Premiership counterparts had received an increase to their budgets to £3.3m per club, up from £2m.
Championship clubs, including Bedford Blues, must settle for a “disappointing” £133,000 per annum, down from a high of £650,000 in 2016 although the club say they remain positive ahead of the new season.
Read: Bedford Blues “remain optimistic” despite Championship clubs losing out on funding increase
On the pitch, Bedford Blues have performed well in pre-season; a win against National One side Blackheath supplemented by two solid performances in losing to Premiership heavyweights, Saracens and English champions, Northampton Saints.
There are plenty of new faces to look out for in Bedford blue; former Coventry men Louis James and Lucas Titherington join a burgeoning back line while former Leicester Tigers man, Fred Tuilagi joins Tommy Hernan and Rory Ward to bolster the pack.
They’ll be coached by former Saints hooker, Tom Cruse who has retired from playing and joins the backroom team as forwards coach.
Their opponents are Caldy from Merseyside who always bring a lively contingent of fans to Goldington Road so the atmosphere for the Championship’s opening game is sure to be loud.
There could be up to nine competitive debuts for the Blues, with George Smith coming in to the second row; the latest in a line of Northampton Saints players benefiting from the working relationship between the two clubs.
Stalwarts, Dean Adamson and Alex Day are out injured, along with Alex Woolford, but other familiar names such as Michael Le Bourgeois – who captains the side – as well as Will Maisey and Luke Frost are included from the start.
Tickets for the Blues’ first forays into a new Championship season can be bought here.
There’s also more club rugby at Bedford Athletic as the 2nd XI host Wymondham at Putnoe Woods while the 1st XI hope to kick start their season at Letchworth.
Kempston RFC also kick off their new Merit League season against Bletchley 2nd XI at Kempston Hammers Sports and Social Club at the same time.
Only free on Sunday?
Maybe your weekend plans encompass Friday night and Saturday already, but there’s also plenty of football and rugby to get stuck into on Sunday as the Women take centre stage.
Real Bedford Women have made an excellent start to life in the Women’s National League, winning three of their four league games and securing an away tie in the first round of the Women’s National League Cup at Gwalia United in Newport by beating MK Dons in the Determining Round.
Their league campaign resumes on Sunday afternoon, also at the Ledger Stadium as Charlie Bill’s side host AFC Sudbury. That game kicks off at 2pm.
Goldington Road will also be back in full swing on Sunday as Bedford Blues Women look to build on a stunning start in Midlands NC1 East .
Their 36-21 comeback victory against Ipswich ensured that life in a new division started swimmingly, and they are back at home in search of back-to-back victories as Peterborough Ladies come to town.
Outside the world of football and rugby, there’s also hockey to whet the local sporting appetite.
After a competitive three weeks of pre-season, Bedford Hockey Club also face the start of competitive action, marking their own Super Saturday with fourteen games across the club; seven of which are at home.
To mark the beginning of the new season, the Chester Road club are hosting a ‘Super Saturday Welcome Social’ with both Men’s and Women’s 1st XI’s at home against Saffron Walden and Beeston respectively.
The open day is also a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the sport and join as a member of one of Bedford’s largest community clubs.
The Bedford Independent will be covering the whole sporting weekend, so don’t worry if you miss a match, you can check out all of the latest at our sport pages.
