FA Cup qualifying: AFC Telford 3 Bedford 1 - Report and pictures

Udoh truly was the difference-maker in this second qualifying round tie at the New Bucks Head.

He put the hosts ahead after a quarter of an hour. Underdogs Bedford were causing problems themselves though and levelled through Dan Walker after the break.

The Bucks struggled at times but got what they wanted thanks to Udoh, who notched two more times to make it 10 goals for the season - only 11 games into the campaign. What a coup he is turning out to be.

Analysis

Telford clearly felt, despite being two levels above, the visiting Eagles had the potential to hurt them as they made just a couple of changes to the side that drew 1-1 against Stockport County in the league last weekend.

And the visitors had their moments in the first half. Walker created openings with his pace and power, forcing Max Bramley into a handful of saves. Bedford pressed relentlessly but did not quite have the X-factor to find the net. The Bucks did though, in Udoh.

The 22-year-old looked a cut above, controlling passes with ease and spinning his marker at almost every opportunity - the few times he struggled was because he was having his shirt tugged. He opened the scoring in sublime style, beating the offside trap and finishing with the outside of his right foot.

Udoh was strangely shown a yellow card soon after netting. Referee Dean Watson thought he caught Eagles skipper Gavin Hoyte late - but it appeared to be the other way round.

Adam Dawson clipped the crossbar with a well-struck free-kick before the break as well for Telford, who had Ellis Deeney - usually a central midfielder - doing a solid job at left-back.

The Bucks began the second half in sloppy style though - and Bedford capitalised. Walker was the man who got their equaliser and Bramley did not cover himself in glory for it. The Leicester loanee could not decide whether to stay on his line or charge out and, by doing neither, ended up in no man's land.

Bramley, in fact, seemed fairly unsure whenever the ball went towards him. A couple of scuffed clearances almost fell kindly for the Eagles.

Telford, and especially Udoh, still looked dangerous going forward though. And Udoh came up with a second, firing in after his initial shot was saved. Bedford glovesman Kyle Forster, several minutes later, cynically brought down the striker and was booked.

The Nigeria-born hotshot was not to be denied though. He completed his treble in stoppage time, with another very cool finish.

Credit must go to the Eagles. If they perform like that in the Southern League Division One Central every week, they will be challenging at the top.

Key Moments

16 - GOAL! Telford are ahead! Right-back Ross White loops the ball over the top of the defence and Daniel Udoh latches onto it. He controls superbly before slotting under Kyle Forster.

58 - GOAL! We are level! A ball downfield is not dealt with and Dan Walker takes advantage, tapping in from close range. 1-1

71 - GOAL! The Bucks are back in front, Udoh striking again! He controls a through-ball and finds the net - after his initial effort was saved by Forster.

90 - GOAL! Udoh hat-trick! What a coup he has turned out to be! Bedford pile on the pressure but an effort deflects away to Udoh, who is unmarked, runs 50 yards and keeps his nerve in front of goal. What a talent!

Teams

Telford (4-4-2): Bramley; White, Streete, Sutton, Deeney; Dawson (Knights, 61), Cowans, Royle, McQuilkin; Udoh, Brown (Barnes-Homer, 80)

Subs not used: Smith, Ellis, McKenna, Lilly, Wycherley (gk)

Bedford (5-3-2): Forster; Longden, Swain, Watkins-Clark, Hoyte (c), Jarrold (Furlong, 72); Ford (Harriott, 55), Donnelly, Grant; Benson, Walker (Woods-Garness, 72)

Subs not used: Roache, Stephens-Abbey, Rhiney, Cooper (gk)