On a bowling green of a surface, surely the best natural turf in the league, Bedfont set out their intentions early on, and were content to keep possession for long spells, as they knocked the ball around comfortably across the backline.
Bedfont's patient play saw them force several early corner on the left. These were swung in dangerously by Julius Mngadi, but were well dealt with by our backline, although from one clearance an effort from Rob Sitch flew wide of debutant keeper Ray Whyards left hand post.
Our first chance came on five minutes. Neat play on the left between Andrew White and Anson Cousins led to a half cleared cross, and a shot from another debutant, Sam Blowers, which deflected behind for a corner. From the deep corner by Cousins, White headed back into the area, and a drive by Richie Monan was cleared off the line by Bedfont skipper Tim Pitt.
We took the lead on 10 minutes. Rob Hughes did well in the Bedfont area, and set the ball out to White, who curled his effort beyond Josh Richardson and into the net for 1-0.
Bedfont responded positively, and forced another succession of corners, and from one, a free header by Conagh Wilks went harmlessly over Whyards crossbar. Malachi Thomas and Adam Roberts then linked up well down the Bedfont right, and a low cross into our area was turned behind by Hughes.
Bedfont maintained their patient build up, with the wide men of Thomas and Justin Koeries giving both our full backs plenty to think about, and we were grateful for both of them turning in decent performances in their individual battles.
Martin Weighill glanced a header wide of the left hand post, after Liam Holden had whipped in a dangerous free kick on 23 minutes. A minute later and a dangerous ball into the left back channel saw Whyard off his line to clear for a throw in. From the throw play was switched to the Bedfont left, and the lively Mngadi saw his low strike deflected behind by Bogle.
Again another good delivery by Mngadi was met by Wilks, but he was just unable to turn the ball home, and the score remained at 1-0.
Bedfont did well on the left on the half hour, with neat play between Mngadi and Koeries eventually setting up a chance for Danny Byron, but his effort flew over Whyards crossbar. And three minutes later a needless Weighill foul on Roberts almost let Bedfont in, as they took a quick free kick, but our scrambling defence cleared the chance.
Ten minutes from the interval and a low shot by Sitch was blocked by Holden, as Bedfont pushed for an equaliser before the break. Weighill and Blowers did well under pressure from Bedfont corners, before Wilks headed another corner wide of the left hand post. SCR had a chance towards the end of the half, when a surging run by Monan ended with a shot that deflected up and into the arms of Richardson, just before White could get to it.
It was Bedfont though who had the last chance of the half, with a strike by Sanders being comfortably gathered by Whyard, and the Holden making a tremendou last gasp challenge on Roberts.
Mngadi fired wide on 53 minutes, and SCR were forced into a change, when a tightening hamstring forced White off, with Richie Smith coming on in his place. Robert almost threaded one through to Sitch on 55 minutes, but a great interception by Weighill averted the danger.
A surging run through the middle of the park by Koeries on the hour led to a foul on the edge of our area by Weighill and Holden, but fortunately for SCR Thomas fired his free kick high over the bar.
SCR almost took the lead on 60 minutes when a Holden free kick dropped to Weighill, who saw his effort crash against the bar and away to safety. Bedfont took the lead on 63 minutes, when the ball found Koeries on the left - he drifted passed several would be challenges before shooting low beyond Whyard for 2-1.
SCR's response was immediate with Quarshie and Nathan Motley being replaced by Jay Holden and Francois Gabbidon. Sanders jinked passed a couple of defenders on 72 minutes, but dragged his shot wide of the right hand post and seven minutes later both Gabbidon and Weighill almost got on the end of a Rob Hughes cross, with the effort deflected behind for a corner. From the corner Liam Holdens shot was saved by Richardson.
Gabbidon almost levelled things up on 82 minutes, after a great ball by Monan had sent him clear, but his shot was superbly saved by Richardson. From the corner though, Bedfont couldn't clear their lines and Gabbidon poked SCR level from close range.
The game now entered its "basketeball" phase with both side seemingly having an attack, conceeding possession and letting the opposition attack. Monan dragged an effort wide on 86 minutes and Blowers almost released Gabbidon a minute later, but the flag went up for offside (and with me standing right in line with the incident, have to say it was a spot on decision).
Smith had a shot saved by Richardson, as SCR pushed for the win and Blowers fired one over. Back at the other end and a dinked ball by Pitt almost found Roberts, but Whyard was out bravely to smother the first effort then block the rebound, and as time ran out, Bedfonts O'Reilly fired an effort through the crowd, but it was comfortable for Whyard.
Full time came and SCR were off the mark, with their first points of the season, and plenty to build on and be happy with.
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