5th December - Biggleswade 5 AFC Dunstable 3 (Bedfordshire Senior Cup)

AFC hold on the Beds Senior was relinquished, as they exited the competition at the 2nd Round stage to a very well drilled and hard working young Biggleswade side.

Looking to use his squad to the full extent, AFC Manager Steve Heath decided to make 5 changes from the team that beat Arlesey Town on Saturday.  He handed U21 players Dan Blackman and Joe Hankins starts for the first time at senior level and gave others the opportunity to impress. Heath said "I know there was a few changes tonight and some were enforced due to a couple carrying knocks and one suspended but I still felt the X1 that started should have had enough to win this game, as I really did want to retain the trophy. The night did not go to plan and you have to congratulate Biggleswade. They wanted it more than us and showed they have some very talented young players in their ranks. I know on the bench I had extra ammunition to come on but as the game progressed, I decided not to introduce them, as I wanted to see how we would react at being behind. From our part we have no excuses and the best team won"

The hosts took a 2 goal lead into half time but a Hankins goal early in the 2nd half gave AFC hope. The home side though struck to make it 3-1 and soon after it was 4-1. Christian Taverneir reduced the arrears midway through the 2nd half but again Biggleswade did not lie down and made it 5-2. A late Bill Morgan strike in the dying seconds saw the game finish 5-3.

Heath will be hoping the knocks that kept out Ryan Frater and Louis Bircham will respond to treatment for Saturday's league fixture against Northwood and with skipper Moses Olaleye, Leon Cashman and Nathan Frater having extended rests tonight will be refreshed for Saturday. He will though be without Brett Longden, who will be serving his last match of a 2 game ban.