"Bucks looking for lift off against the Eagles"

Match Date : August 19th, 2025 7:45 pm
Competition : National League North
Ground : The Eyrie Stadium
Kick Off : 19:45

The Bucks will face a familiar foe on Tuesday night, when Kevin Wilkin takes his men to Bedford Town.

The Eagles were relegated from Step 3 in 2022/23, but following the subsequent appointment of manager Lee Bircham, Bedford have gone from strength to strength. The Eagles finished eight points ahead of the Bucks (and five points clear of 2nd-place Kettering) to claim last season’s Southern League Premier Central title, which also saw Town claim a second promotion in as many campaigns.

After an up and down start to the season, Bedford didn’t look back after they hit the front in the new year. The Eagles finished with the league’s best away record and joint-best home record, (alongside the Bucks), and the Eyrie will likely be a tough place to pick up points again this season. Bedford showed their resilience on home soil on opening day, when a late leveller from new boy Tyrone Marsh helped them earn a 2-2 draw with Alfreton.

Marsh is one of a number of new faces in the Eagles’ squad, many of whom have local connections. Marsh (Borehamwood), veteran defender Greg Taylor (King’s Lynn), and experienced forward Shaun Jeffers (St Albans), were all born in Bedford and linked up with their home town team for the first time this summer. Marsh and Jeffers will look to replace the goals of Leon Lobjoit, who departed for Kettering Town, while other notable arrivals include midfielder Lewis Coyle (Oxford City) and former Buck Ellis Brown. Another promotion-winning Telford man, Ellis Myles, joined the Eagles briefly before leaving due to work commitments.

The Bucks, meanwhile, have added a former Eagle in the shape of Khanya Leshabela. The South African midfielder joined Bedford towards the end of the campaign and helped steer them safely across the finish line.

Kevin Wilkin’s men beat Bedford home and away in the space of 17 days in January. The Bucks won a tight game at the Eyrie 3-2 before running out comprehensive 6-2 winners at the SEAH Stadium a couple of weeks later. The latter of those two victories marks the start of the Bucks’ current unbeaten run, which was extended to 20 with Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Curzon Ashton. Meanwhile, Bedford’s own long unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-1 defeat at Southport.

With both sides aiming to make positive starts to life at Step 2, Wilkin will no doubt be looking for the Bucks to continue their fine record against the Eagles on Tuesday.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/bedfordtownfootballclub

Ground Address: The Eyrie Stadium, Meadow Lane, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3LW