Arriving just forty minutes before kick off was not an ideal start after fog at Gatwick and then a crash on the M25 slowed it to a crawl.

Traffic everywhere was congested with the dreadlocked referee only arriving from Ealing at the same time but insisting on a prompt start.

The Bulls showed three changes to their previous match against Dorking with the unavailable Van der Vliet, Gabbiadini and Barlow replaced
by the “Hero of Hayes” Bradley Rolland, debutant Harry Curtis and a returning from the bench Darryl Wilson, respectively.
The substitutes were Sean Lambert, replacing James Carr, Ruben Mendes-Pestana and Kieran Lester who came in for Zeljko Martinovic
who had pulled up in training on Thursday evening. Kevan Nelson and Jason Carpenter were also named as worst case saviours.

The players were familiar with the ground as the club, formed by an amalgamation seven years ago, host British Airways whom they met
a few weeks ago. Almost next door are step 4 side Bedfont Sports whose 3G pitch is used by F.C. Deportivo Galicia, the opening away match.

The hosts officials were seasoned campaigners and a very friendly bunch and it was good to see a detailed programme produced,
although only twenty five had been printed as usual despite them ordering double this normal quota for the arrival of the league leaders!

The ground had various pieces of “furniture” under which to take cover as the predicted rain arrived as the match began on a pitch
that was rather bumpy as the recent conditions had meant they had been unable to get much work done on it. It did not cease and became
gradually heavier over the next two hours but at least the match was on after the disappointment of the recent Chessington and Hook
United postponement.

Bedfont started brightly and Rolland soon had block to Jae Kelly’s shot with his legs whilst at the other end the other number eleven,
Sol Solomon, brought the Bedfont ‘keeper to life. Debutant Curtis having been spoken to for a studs leading tackle went in to the book
five minutes later for a similar indiscretion, albeit a borderline case. Captain Campbell trying to regain possession after a slip just after
the half hour made a lunge that also gained a merited “chat” but fortunately nothing more. Just before half time Harry Cardwell beat his man
of the edge of the box and although his shot beat recent signing Filip Chalupniczak it was thwarted by the base of the right post.
So the whistle went with no score but both sides probably thinking that with a little bit of luck they might have been ahead.

A prolonged interval saw Bulls come out roaring and within ten minutes they had a two goal advantage as firstly Solomon reached the left
byline and his low cross was slid in at the far post by Cardwell from a couple of yards. Within a minute Adam Trotter was felled in the box
and Karl Hinds sent Chalupniczak the wrong way with his fifth penalty of the season. Cardwell almost gained another penalty soon
afterwards but after jumping out of the way of the diving ‘keeper and ending up sliding along on his knees he “gained” a yellow card
for simulation. Within a minute Solomon put in a powerful shot from the left channel which resoundingly rattled the ‘keeper’s right post.

The Bulls continued to dominate the second half but Bedfont had their moments with Kamen Nafkha lookalike Noah Kibreab in their midfield
trying to set their front men free. Cardwell had another chance which he put wide right before another heading to the top corner was clawed
away by Chalupniczak. The resultant corner was only half cleared and the returned ball reached Jack Griffin with his back to goal ten yards out.
He swivelled and lashed the ball in to the top left corner to bely his defender status and wrap up the match for the Bulls. The red shirts
continued to pour forward with Daryl Wilson hitting the ‘keeper from twenty five yards and in added time Hinds just failing to get enough
elevation on his lob to beat the advancing Chalupniczak whose efforts had managed to keep the Bulls margin down to three.

Attendance 78

Goals – Harry Cardwell 51, Karl Hinds (pen) 53, Jack Griffin 81

Officials – Reuben Simon (Ealing), Adam Mirza (Hounslow), Manuel Fernandez-Harris (Coulsdon)

Cautions – Curtis 16, Cardwell 55 (Bedfont & Feltham none)

Sin Bins – none

Bulls (Red/White/White, GK Green) – Bradley Rolland, Harry Curtis (Sean Lambert 73), Jay Giles, Jack Griffin, Luke Campbell(c),
Kamen Nafkha (Ruben Mendes-Pestana 71), Harry Cardwell (Kieran Lester 77), Adam Trotter, Daryl Wilson, Karl Hinds, Sol Solomon
Not Used – Kevan Nelson, Jason Carpenter (GK)

Bedfont & Feltham (Yellow/Blue/Blue, GK Orange) – Filip Chalupniczak, Tom Betts, Billy Nutbeam, Richard Bond (Nick Hardy 73),
Elliott Hayden, Jamie Pearce, Kelvin Karanja, (Charlie Collins 37), Noah Kibreab, Michael Capon, Ross Nunn(c), (Fortune Msamala 82), Jae Kelly

Not Used – Jan Szponarski, Okera Lewis