U16s complete league and cup double

Sunday 26 th April 2026 St Ives Town u16 vs Bedford Town u16 @ Quattro-Tech
Stadium.

Hot on the heels of their fourth County Cup win in a row St Ives Town u16s were
back in action for their final league game on a sunny Sunday morning at Quattro-
tech stadium. They were hosting Bedford Town FC, with the title on the line. Bedford
came in knowing a draw would be enough, while St Ives needed all three points,
setting the stage for a tense, high-stakes encounter.

The opening stages reflected that pressure. Bedford were compact and disciplined,
clearly set up not to lose, happy to sit in, protect central areas, and look for moments
on the break. St Ives, on the other hand, showed intent early, moving the ball with
purpose and trying to stretch the pitch to create gaps with Windsor and Drysdale
looking threatening in wide areas, Drysdale had the first chance but his shot was
blocked, the young Ives were finding the Bedford defence resolute and chances
were few and far between. The Bedford keeper claimed a Carey-Evans header from
a corner and then a break from Whatmore down the right saw Kenny picking him out
with a superb through ball, but his shot flashed just over the bar.

As the half developed, St Ives began to take control territorially. Their willingness to
play forward, commit runners, and sustain attacks pinned Bedford back with
Matthews, Hollebon (replacing Matthews towards the end of the half) and Whitehead
working hard against a back six. The wide players Windsor, and Drysdale were
replaced with Madryzk and Harris who brought a new dynamic to the game. Bedford
remained dangerous in transition, though. Whenever possession turned over, they
looked to break quickly into wide areas, asking questions of the St Ives defensive
structure but the back four of Whatmore, Kenny, Mustill and Carey-Evans were
looking solid. It kept the game finely balanced and added to the tension.

Half time St Ives Town 0 Bedford Town 0.

After the break St Ives came out with intent and purpose, also absorbing some early
Bedford pressure but Dyer in goal was collecting everything that came into the box.
St Ives then started to get on top and were starting to look dangerous from corners
with Carey-Evans having a header cleared off the line and another header hitting the
cross bar. The Ives then cleared a set play at their own end and Windsor played in
Matthews whose shot was amazingly turned over by the Bedford keeper when a goal
looked certain. The Ives were now looking dangerous as Kenny broke through from
defence and linked up well with Elliott to then play in Drysdale who forced yet
another corner.

The breakthrough, when it came, felt like a culmination of pressure. St Ives finally
capitalised on a corner with Carey-Evans yet again proving a threat in the box,
glancing a header to Drysdale who swivelled on the spot and volleyed the ball past
the Bedford keeper to take a well-deserved lead, the crowd roared with delight and
relief.

Now chasing the game, Bedford had to open up. That created more space, and the
match became stretched, end-to-end at times. St Ives had further opportunities to
extend the lead, while Bedford pushed for the equaliser that would win them the title.
The closing stages were exactly what you’d expect from a title decider urgent,
physical, and emotional. Every duel mattered, every clearance was cheered, and
every attack carried weight. The midfield combinations of Elliott, Hamill, Thorpe and
Hollebon worked tirelessly to close down Bedford and get us on the front foot to
alleviate pressure, they dominated the middle of the pitch throughout the game.

St Ives stood firm, Seamark replaced Whatmore and he and Mustill were immense in
the centre of defence absorbing all that Bedford could throw at them. The
organisation, work rate, and game management in the final moments as a team saw
them see it out, securing the win they needed, and the long-deserved league title
was secured to add to their county cup win and emulating the double that last
season’s 16s achieved.

Post the match the EJA league representatives concluded that this was a brilliant
advert for the EJA, a high quality, high intensity game with everything you would
want from a title decider! The young Ives delivered when it mattered most and now
go into the EJA champions play offs full of confidence.

Full Time St Ives Town 1 Bedford 0.

“EJA Blue League winners St Ives Town FC”

Next Match EJA Division Winner Play off St Ives Town u16 vs Barking FC –
Sunday 3 rd May 2026 @ Quattro-Tech Westwood Road 11am kick off.