The Eagles ran out 1-2 winners over Barwell in an excellent comeback win at Kirkby Road. An early goal from Beck-Ray Enoru was cancelled out by goals from Sam Dreyer and Edward Gyamfi just before the break to give Graeme Tomlinson his first win as interim manager.

Bedford Town brought in young goalkeeper James Callan from Barnet on a one-month loan deal. He started against Barwell due to Aymen Azaze being unwell for the match.

Once the game began, both teams shared possession evenly and had few chances. The best early chance for the Eagles was when a Callum Donnelly effort from range dipped closer and closer to the goal before whizzing past the crossbar.

After seventeen minutes, Barwell took the lead. This came from a long ball played to Beck-Ray Enoru who chased the ball down. With James Callan racing out of his goal, Enoru managed to touch the ball over the head of the goalkeeper into the empty net. The Eagles responded well to this with Connor Tomlinson testing the Canaries goalkeeper. This shot was pushed out by Andrew Wycherley.

With ten minutes before the interval, the Eagles found themselves level. This was thanks to some brilliant work by Sam Dreyer who was linking up with different teammates with some instrumental passes to create space behind the Canaries defence where he calmly finished past Andrew Wycherley to equalise.

The Eagles now had a spring in their step as they looked to press on for a second goal. With barely minutes to go before half time, the Eagles won a penalty after Drew Richardson was fouled in the penalty area. Connor Tomlinson stepped up to take it, but his effort was denied by Wycherley. The rebound by Tomlinson was saved again before Edward Gyamfi managed to slam the ball into the back of the net for his first Eagles goal.

With only seconds remaining of the first half, the referee blew his whistle for half time with Graeme Tomlinson’s side ahead at the break.

The second half began, and the Eagles were immediately under pressure. It was evident that Barwell had set up to attack in this second half. Canaries' talisman Brady Hickey had a good opportunity after Harrison Nee drilled in a cross which he touched down and shot. This shot was wayward and not a concern for Callan.

On each side of the seventy-minute mark, Graeme Tomlinson made some changes. He brought George Thorne on to replace Callum Donnelly in midfield. He changed the attack by bringing on Afolabi Soyemi-Ololade and new signing Rene Howe to make his debut for the Eagles for the third time in his career. A great moment for Howe and the Eagles fans to see him back at the club.

There were plenty of chances for Barwell in the dying minutes of the game. The hosts had a late corner which was cleared away by the determined Bedford defence as the referee signalled the end of the match.

This rounded off a fantastic win on the road for the Eagles in their first win since November. This win was also the first under Graeme Tomlinson as he remains unbeaten since becoming interim manager. Up next, the Eagles welcome AFC Rushden & Diamonds to The Eyrie on Boxing Day in a huge match for each side.