Macleod strikes again as Eagles are grounded by the Clarets

Manager Mike Goode’s old playing clubs, many many years ago when an 18 year old student, and a better performance saw a merited win for the Clarets with one goal enough to decide the game.

A sweltering August afternoon was not ideal for football as both sides competed to progress to the 1st Qualifying Round.

Deeping had the first effort at goal, Dan Flack’s throw was flicked on by Jordan Macleod for Scott Mooney to fire wide.

The Eagles Connor Tomlinson latched onto a loose ball to drive his shot goal bound only to be well blocked by a Luke Hunnings/Aaron Davies combined effort, the ball fell for Dan Walker to blast across the face of the goal but missed by the far post.

A mid half drinks break saw the Clarets lose their shape for a few minutes, Town’s Tre Mitford smashed his shot from outside of the box against the bar, the scramble in the box that followed saw Davies eventually getting a clearance ball away.

The lively Tomlinson twisted and turned Luke Andersen but the Clarets man would not yield and he had to lay off to Ebby Nelson-Addy, his shot pulled wide of the target

A wayward pass from Town’s Cade Stephens-Abbey presented Macleod with the ball 22 yards out, his shot clipping a defender and through to keeper Aaron Dillon.

Rangers skipper appeared to pulled down in the area as he tried to meet Flack’s corner but the officials were not convinced, a long clearance from Dan Jarvis allowed Macleod to get in behind the Town defence, his run into the box met opposition, his lay off towards Mooney was just nicked away by an Eagles foot and Dillon collected comfortably.

Half Time – Bedford Town 0 Deeping Rangers 0

Rangers started the second period on the front foot, Mooney had a shot well saved by Dillon with his legs, Jarvis collected and proceeded to the box, his shot forcing Dillon to save at full stretch.

Town’s Tomlinson chased a high ball, the bounce allowed him to collect, he made space but the shot skied high and wide, Tomlinson then met Nathan Olukamni’s cross, the low header bringing a fine save from Clarets keeper Lewis Elsom.

The decisive breakthrough came on 61 mins, home player Nelson-Abby made his way into the Deeping box pursued by Burton-Jones, he tripped on the ball allowing the Clarets skipper to collect the ball before sending a long ball over the Eagles back line, Macleod got to the ball before the Town defender to advance and under pressure slam the ball into the bottom corner past the approaching Dillon for 0-1.

Town responded, a long ball saw Mitford and Elsom challenge for the ball with the Deeping keeper doing well to win the ball and head away, Mitford met Walker’s cross to glance the header wide of the far post and another Mitford chance saw his header into the ground to loop over the bar.

One final chance for the Eagles came as sub Manny Soetan met Walkers good cross, the header failing to test Elsom.

Another good day on the road for Rangers and another higher grade scalp for Mike and his management team – the Clarets await the next round draw with some anticipation.

Full Time – Bedford Town 0 Deeping Rangers 1

Attendance: 207

Bedford Town: 1. Aaron Dillon, 2. Cade Stephens-Abbey, 3. Louis Hall, 4. Ben Ford, 5. Gavin Hoyte ©, 6. Damien Green, 7. Nathan Olukamni (12. Callum Donnelly - 59), 8. Ebby Nelson-Addy (17. Manny Soetan - 17), 9. Tre Mitford, 10. Connor Tomlinson (16. Abraham Eze - 71), 11. Dan Walker

Subs (not used): 14. Scott Joseph, 15. Perek Ubah, 18. Drew Phillips, 19. Rafe Goodman.

Deeping Rangers: 1. Lewis Elsom, 2. Dan Flack, 3. Luke Andersen, 4. David Burton-Jones © (14. Michael Simpson – 71), 5. Luke Hunnings, 6. Aaron Davies, 7. Charlie Coulson, 8. Dan Jarvis, 9. Scott Mooney, 10. Jordan Macleod (12. Jeremiah Adams - 83), 11. Dan Banister (16. Sam Murphy – 71)

Subs (not used): 15. Matt Carter

Referee: Jan Pascu