The U18 representative side got their East Anglian Counties Championship campaign underway on Thursday night in a game that rained goals in the second half.
Bedfordshire got of to a good start and dominated the early exchanges, Will Lowerson floated a ball into the box in the 9th minute that Connor Smith rose to meet but his flicked header went just over the bar. Norfolk went straight up the other end of the pitch and a long range effort brought a good save from Will Conway in the Beds goal. Bedfordshire took the lead in the 19th minute, Connor Smith robbed the Nofolk defence in the centre circle and showed the defence a clean pair of heals to race in on goal, the Norfolk keeper made a good save but Tremayne Charles was on hand to tap the ball home.
The game was still flowing from end to end and Norfolk almost equalised in the 28th minute Nathan Howard was put through and got past the keeper but hit the post with his shot and the ball was cleared. 3 minutes later and Tremayne Charles battled for the ball in the middle of the park and worked some space to advance on goal, he spotted the keeper off his line but his chip fell just wide. Bedfordshire continued to press for a second and Sam Peverall stung the keeper fingers with a left footed shot from 30 yards. Norfolk then created a couple of good chances in the closing minutes of the half firstly the striker heading an inviting cross over and then after working some space in the box a left footed shot went high and wide so Bedfordshire went into the break 1-0 up.
Norfolk started the second half like a train and were ahead within 6 minutes, firstly Kyle Ingram fired in direct from a free kick and then Nathan Howard got his first of the night firing home a good ball into the box. James Bishop replaced the injured Sam Peverall for Bedfordshire but immediately Norfolk notched their 3rd. A quick free kick into the box caught Bedfordshire napping and Howard fired in his second.
Bay Fisida replaced Tremayne Charles for Bedfordshire just before the hour as beds looked to fresh legs to get them back in the game. Norfolk were looking dangerous with every attack but Connor Smith almost pulled one back on 67 minutes as he raced onto a ball over the top of the Norfolk defence but his early shot was hit straight at the keeper, 5 minutes later though and Smith did score. He was slipped in behind the Norfolk defence and he rounded the keeper before slotting home.
Marcus Campbell replaced Paul Cooper for Bedfordshire but Norfolk soon had their 4th on 78 minutes, Callum White worked some space on the edge of the box and his snap shot beat Conway. 2 minutes later and Howard completed his hat-trick for Norfolk, he allowed the ball to run across him and showed power and pace to beat the defender and send a cool finish into the back of the net.
There was still time for more goals and probably the best goal of the night came next from Bedfordshire. A perfectly weighted ball through the Norfolk defence was latched onto by the pacey Smith and he fired and unstoppable shot into the bottom corner for his second of the night. Within 3 minutes Norfolk has restored their 3 goal lead, Howard again on target with a speculative effort from 35 yards just beating the despairing dive of Conway. The final chance of the night fell to Bay Fasida for Beds, he brought down a cross from the right but couldn't keep his shot down as it sailed over the bar.
Plenty of positives from the game and also bits to work on before the next game away to Suffolk at Mildenhall Town FC on Sunday 23rd October.
Bedfordshire Squad: Will Conway (St. Albans City), Paul Cooper (Bedford Town / Cranfield United) [Marcus Campbell, 76min], Dominic Collins (Bedford Town FC Eagles), Sam Peverall (Crawley Green) [James Bishop, 53min], Stuart Gillies (Bedford Town FC Eagles), Jordan Batchelor (Bedford Town FC Eagles), Joe Stacey (Bedford Town FC Eagles), Leigh Stevens (Bedford Town FC Eagles), Connor Smith (AFC Dunstable), Tremayne Charles (St. Albans City) [Bay Fasida, 58min], Will Lowerson (Bedford Town FC Eagles). Unused subs: Ryan Yule (Hitchin Town), Keshi Anderson (Barton Rovers)