Kevin Hill's side travelled to Bedford on Saturday for a real relegation six pointer still without first choice centre-backs Peter Collins and Orlando Jeffrey but now also without the starting strike pairing of Josh Scott (unavailable) and Kieran Knight (flu). On the plus side, Kevin could again call on Will Hendry in midfield and it gave him the chance to give a first start to Stafforde Palmer alongside Michael Bartley up front.

From the outset the Missioners looked a different side to that we've seen for the first part of the season, full of life and a willingness to attack while being solid in defence and this nearly brought a second minute opener. Michael Bartley found space on the left, his cut back fell to Ryan Ashe but his volley was deflected wide by Eddie Lawley, the resultant corner saw Hendry head back into the box where Bartley had a shot blocked as did Logie when the ball ran loose before the danger was cleared.

Five minutes later we went close again, Bartley dispossessed home skipper Lawley in his own area before slipping past James Taylor only for keeper Ian Brown to beat out his angled drive which his side then hacked clear. Still the visitors pushed forwards, Hendry moved into the box before finding Bartley whose knock down was fired just over by Gilbert Nuako from 20 yards.

The deserved breakthrough finally came on ten minutes, Bartley superbly held the ball up before sending it to Liam Feeney on the left where he took it to the byeline before picking out Palmer arriving at the back of the six yard box and the 18 year old confidently fired home his first senior goal (right).

Hayes continued to dominate proceedings, Feeney won the ball in the middle but fired wide from 30 yards and then he almost played creator again, his cross being left by Bartley as Daniel Dyer arrived at the back of the box but he dragged his effort across goal and wide of the far post.

The final third of the half saw the home side start to move forwards pushing us back on our heels a little, Jason James fired wide from distance and Kevin Davies did well to hold a speculative Michael Lyon effort before the home side pulled level with a goal that somewhat mirrored our own. David Daniels beat Nuako on the Bedford right before firing the ball across the box where James arrived to fire past Davies from close range.

The required "step it up again" came from Kevin Hill at the break and within minutes the advantage was re-established, Palmer advanced into the box and although his shot appeared to be blocked by the defender referee Jaye took time to think before deciding that the defender got more of Stafforde than the ball and awarded a spot kick. With both normal takers missing Ryan Ashe took on the responsibility, never looking confident, his kick was pushed away by Brown, thankfully Feeney pounced on the loose ball like lightning and fired home from the acutest of angles.

With the home side showing very little up front we continued to push further ahead, Feeney had an effort from distance saved by Brown and a long ball to Palmer saw the youngster turn Matt Childs inside and out before seeing his effort just sail past the angle of post and bar.

Just over an hour had passed and Davies had to be alert to tip over a near post flick on from a long throw and the resultant corner led to a game of head tennis before Davies dived to save a shot from the impressive Michael Lyon. At the other end Palmer was causing problems for the home defence, his first shot came back off the arm of a defender, who was too close to get out of the way, and his follow up was too high to trouble Brown.
With just over fifteen minutes remaining an excellent passing move by the home side saw Daniels feed substitute Daniel Douglas who surged forwards before setting up Richard Pringle but his twenty yard effort was well wide of the target, a disappointing end to a good move from a home perspective.

As you would expect the final ten minutes saw the home side push forwards with great regularity, James Gould crossed deep to Pringle but his header was comfortably caught by Davies and a minute later a delicate chip into the box looked to be heading for Gould only for the impressive Adam Logie to stretch and head the ball away for a corner that was easily cleared.

Missioners hearts were made to race as the game entered stoppage time, the ball was fired across the area to Pringle at the far post but the ever dependable Davies was on hand to save at close range to earn a massive three points for the Hayes side that worked so hard all afternoon.

The final stages of the game also saw first XI debuts for french midfielder Armand Wembakungu and 19 year old FEDO product Adam Cornell.

Report by Kevin Watts. Photos by Ray Peploe.