Bedford Town v Cray Wanderers
FA Cup 4QR – Saturday 17th October, 3 pm – Match Preview
Cray Wanderers FA Cup adventure and quest to reach the 1st Round proper for the first time continues on Saturday as the Wands head to National North Bedford Town for the first competitive fixture between the sides. Kick off a The Eyrie, 3 pm.
Please note if the tie should end in a draw then the final round where a replay is required would take place on Tuesday 20th October with the winners in the 1st Round to be played over the weekend of 6th-9th November.
Cray have reached the 4th Qualifying Round for just the fourth time although the second time in three seasons. The previous occasions were in 2005-06 where Cray were beaten at then Conference League leaders Grays, the heavily truncated 2020-21 season losing at Canvey Island. The final time was in the 2024-25 season going down narrowly at home to Tonbridge Angels. Bedford Town though will be equally keen to advance to the 1st Round for what would be the first time since the 2001-02 season.
The Wands will come into the game in 15th place in the Isthmian Premier league but will be joined in the 4th Qualifying Round by three other Premier sides, Brentwood Town, Eastbourne Borough and Leatherhead.
Last Saturday Cray were beaten 1-2 at home to Lewes in a fairly even game with Ade Yusuff continuing his fine form with his tenth goal in league and cup this season. So far the former Folkestone Invicta striker has scored in each round so far and in his last five games.
So far in the cup Cray advanced past Lewes in the 1st Qualifying Round after a replay with Alex Hernandez scoring the winners in a 1-0 win at the Dripping Pan where Yusuff and Soul Kader scored in a 2-2 draw. The Wands then drew National South League leaders Maidstone United at Flamingo Park and after a 1-1 draw where Rob Strachan scored to earn a second chance, Cray turned in a performance for the ages with a 2-0 win at the Gallageher Stadium with Ola Ogunwamide’s special striker proving a catalyst for a great performance sealed by Yusuff sliding in in stoppage time to see out a famous victory.
In the 3rd Qualifying Round Cray entertained Chippenham Town and saw off the challenge of the Wiltshire club with another special goal from Ogunwamide, Yusuff and Lateef Adaja setting up an exciting and rare trip to face a National North side.
Harry Smart, Eagles team start their FA Cup run in the 2nd Qualifying Round and advanced past Kings Lynn Town 2-1 at home with goals from Louie Kudabor and former Colchester United, Barnsley, Luton Town and Leyton Orient striker George Moncur.
In the 3rd Qualifying Round Bedford Town were held at home by Isthmian Premier Wingate & Finchley, 2-2 where Moncur netted two penalties but were professional in the replay winning 3-1 at Summers Lane with Kudabor (2) and Moncur on target.
Bedford Town are playing in the National North for only the second season and finished 18th in the 2025-26 season. They currently stand 11th in the table with sixteen points and last Saturday were unfortunate not to take a point from the long trip to Chester going down 0-1 to an 89th minute goal.
After losing three of their opening four league games they settled and then won four league matches in a row which although without a win in three leaves them in a midtable position.
So far at home Bedford Town have beaten Buxton (2-1), Spennymoor (3-1) and Radcliffe (1-0). They drew with Hereford (1-1) and lost at home to Darlington (2-3). Away from home Bedford picked up three points at Telford United (1-0) and Worksop Town (2-1) but were beaten at Oxford City, Southport, Spalding United and Chester. Moncur is the leading scorer with seven. With the travelling the club have to undertake Bedford will be a very durable and fit side and will provide very stern opposition.
Although the teams have never met Cray did face the old Bedford Town reserves side in the Metropolitan League for five seasons from 1966-67 to 1971-72. The original Bedford Town were formed in 1908 but were dissolved in 1982. The current club were reformed in 1989.
The previous club were United Counties League Champions three times in the 1930’s but is was after World War II when Bedford joined the Southern League that they became a force with ambition of playing in the Football League. On eighteen ocassions the club sought election in the days before promotion/relegation to/from the Football League and were outvoted each time.
In 1955-56 Bedford reached the 3rd Round of the FA Cup for the first time beating local rivals Watford in the 2nd Round and took Arsenal to a replay after a 2-2 draw at Highbury only losing after extra-time 2-1. They were Southern League Champions in 1958-59.
The 1960’s saw the club at semi-professional level and twice in two seasons reached the 4th round of the FA Cup. In 1963-64 Bedford achieved one of their greatest ever results winning 2-1 at Newcastle United in the 3rd round before losing at home to Carlisle United. In 1965-66 they beat two Division 3 sides, Exeter City and Brighton & Hove Albion and after beating Hereford United were beaten at home by eventual winners Everton. They reached the 3rd Round again in 1966-67 beating Oxford United but lost at home to Peterborough United. The clubs fortunes fluctuated in the 1970’s before folding.
The current club went through the South Midlands leagues before joining the Isthmian League in 1994-95 going from Division Three to the Premier in 2000-01. Bedford Town reached the 1st Round in 2001-02 losing to Peterborough United after a replay.
In 2003-4 Bedford reached the Isthmian Premier playoffs losing to St Albans City in the final. The next year they were placed back in the Southern League Premier in 2004-05 earning promotion to the National South in 2005-06 beating Chippenham Town in the playoffs but only stayed one season. In 2023-24 following relegation to Divison One Central were promoted after beating Ware & Waltham Abbey in the playoffs and in 2024-25 were Southern League Premier Champions earning promotion to the National North.
So with the stakes high for both clubs looking to progress to the hallowed ground of the 1st Round and the introduction of the League 1 and 2 clubs and the increased TV exposure this brings.
Whatever happens this promises to be a remarkable day out for the officials, management, players and most of all the Wands fans, young and old and perhaps a red letter day in Cray Wanderer long history.
There are limited tickets for the supporters coach remaining. These cost £20 adults, £15 kids until the day of the match when it becomes £30. For those on the coach please check in for 10 am as due to leave at 10 30 am sharp. Return is expected at 5.30 pm.
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/fixture/cray-wanderers-fc/216
The Pre-Match thoughts of Tim O’Shea
Saturday sees Cray Wanderers seek a piece of history and a first ever place in the 1st Round of the FA Cup. In their way are National North Bedford Town who will
provide a tough challenge who beat Isthmian Premier opposition in Wingate & Finchley in the previous round. Here in conversation with Alfie Jones, Tim O’Shea looks back to last Saturday’s game vs Lewes and the thoughts of Bedford Town.
Hello Tosh. A huge game on Saturday and a chance for history but first let’s look back to last weekend and the game against Lewes. Not the result we came for but it is what it is.
It was indeed, I don’t think it was the result we deserved taking nothing away from Lewes. They came here and done a real good job on us, they were full of energy and running. Listening to their goalkeeping coach’s interview they came here to extract revenge for the FA Cup defeat. Pitts has got a great brand of football full of talented players in there and we were up against it.
Unfortunately for us it wasn’t our best day or performance but they have been magnificent so far this season and that standard to keep it that high it takes a lot out of you. We looked a little bit leggy which isn’t normally ourselves.Fair play to Lewes they came here and are where they are in the league for a reason.
Now we go into a massive game at Bedford Town, the last qualifying round of the FA Cup. How do we go into this one?
We go into it with nothing to lose. Bedford are in the Conference North and a big club with some good players down there. No doubt they will be favourites but we have done well to get to this game. We have beaten Lewes, Maidstone and Chippenham to get this far. I think we should go there with a lot of confidence. We are going to have to be at our very, very best against a strong side to get anything from it but it is going to be a good day out withplenty of Cray Massive down there making some noise and enjoying the occasion.
Final question, if we get through who would you like to draw in the 1st Round?
I don’t know maybe having played for them, Gillingham. It would be nice if we could get one of the big boys. Listen, we have a big boy in Bedford Town make no mistake about that and we need to get through that first. It will be a tough ask but hopefully we can go there and give a good account of ourselves.
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Admission/Directions/Coach information
The Eyrie, Meadow Lane, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3LW.
There are limited tickets for the supporters coach remaining. These cost £20 adults, £15 kids until the day of the match when it becomes £30. For those on the coach please check in for 10 am as due to leave at 10 30 am sharp. Return is expected at 5.30 pm.
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/fixture/cray-wanderers-fc/2164
Ticket sales:
https://bedfordtownfc.ktckts.com/
Advanced ticket prices:
Adults – £16
Concessions and 18-20 year olds – £12
10-17 year olds – £6
Under 10s – £1.
Advanced tickets are on sale until 1pm on Saturday 17th October. After which, prices will increase at the turnstile. These prices are different from the normal match day admission turnstile prices.
Turnstile prices:
Adults – £20
Concessions and 18-20 year olds – £15
10-17 year olds – £9
Under 10s – £1.
Playing Surface:3G
Printed Programme:Printed, £3
DRIVING
The Eyrie Stadium is located on Meadow Lane, off the Cambridge Road (A603) near the village of Cardington and just a 5-10 minute drive from Bedford Town. Parking at the stadium is limited to around 120 cars. We also operate an overflow car park thanks to our neighbouring business Dunbia. The overflow car park increases our parking capacity to around 250 cars. During the summer months, we also have a third overflow car park which is located at the back of the stadium on a fully-grassed area, therefore this car park is not in operation during the winter months.
Please Note: Meadow Lane is home to two football clubs, ourselves and Bedford FC. Please do not park in Bedford FC’s car park beyond their sign and gate as it will likely be locked before full time and we have no access to retrieve your car
The ground address is The Eyrie, Meadow Lane, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3LW.
If you’re making your own way to the ground for a matchday using public transport, here’s some advice for the best routes to take.
Due to the location of the ground, travel by train is not recommended. However, if you prefer to use rail services, the nearest station is Bedford Station located on Ashburnham Road, MK40 1DY. Taxis are available from the station to the ground which is a 10-15 minute journey.
Trains for Bedford run from London Bridge and run regularly at 06, 16, 36 and 46 past the hour or at 21 or 51 past the hour. You can also catch these trains from London Blackfriars, City Thameslink and London St Pancras International. Returns to London Bridge at 02, 10, 32 and 46 past the hour.
Alternatively, Bedford Bus Station is roughly a ten minute walk from the train station and is located on Allhallows, MK40 1LT. The number 72 or 73 bus goes to Meadow Lane, right outside the ground.
Nearest pubs
The nearest pub to the ground in Cardington is the Kings Arms, 31 The Green, Cardington, MK44 3SP and around half a mile from the Eyrie.
Bedford is a market town and county town of Bedfordshire and 45 miles north of London. The River Great Ouse flows through Bedford and Bedford Park has a Victorian feel and a cricket pavilion and bandstand. There used to be a castle in Bedford but has long been destroyed and only a fragment of it still remains.
The ground lies in the village of Cardington which was home to a former RAF base from which the Aircraft hangers still exist and have been used for filming the likes of Star Wars and Batman movies.There is an Art Gallery, Corn Exchange and Theatre in Bedford. As the ground lies a little north of Bedford please take time in reaching the ground via public transport or taxi (see above)
10-17 year olds – £9
Under 10s – £1.
