So far, so good for Setchell at Bedford Town

An enforced break has given Gary Setchell a chance to reflect on what has, so far, been a job well done at Bedford Town.

The former King’s Lynn Town boss was appointed as the successor to Mark Ducket at the end of September and, since then, he has led the Eagles on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

It’s a run that has catapulted them into the top five in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central and into the first round proper of the Buildbase FA Trophy.

It, therefore, could be argued that the national lockdown came at a bad time for Setchell and his players.

“The first two games were a bit hit and miss that we managed to scramble two points from and I just said to the lads that I felt the squad was a bit unbalanced with lots of forwards and not enough defenders,” the Bedford boss said.

“But, to be fair to them, the lads have been unbelievable since then. We have won five and drawn three since I have been there and made progress in the FA Trophy.

“They have been magnificent and lockdown came at a bad time, especially as we were about to play Halesowen Town and it might have been a good time to be playing them when they were coming off the back of a defeat.

“But, on the plus side, we were no different to anyone else in that there were a few knocks so we will hopefully be back with a fit squad and we still have (new goalkeeper) Alex Street waiting to make his debut.

“Hopefully we will be fit and firing for a busy December and January.”

The Southern League announced that they intend to restart the season Saturday, December 12 but gave clubs the option of playing on December 5 if they agreed.

And Bedford will be starting again a week on Saturday after their opponents AFC Dunstable agreed to visit the Eyrie as scheduled.

That will be followed by the FA Trophy clash at Premier Central side Biggleswade Town on Tuesday, December 8 and Setchell is pleased his team will have an immediate restart.

“When the option was given to us to play on December 5 we wanted to go straight back in and Dunstable have agreed to it,” he added.

“I am hoping it will work out well for us in the long run where we won’t have so many games towards the end of the season as we have taken the early one now.

“We also have the FA Trophy and if we can win then that will mean another Tuesday and another league game to be rearranged.

“We are going to try to fit a friendly in at the back end of next week and try to give the lads 45 minutes so that we are as ready as we can be for Dunstable.”