AFC Telford analysis: Hat-trick hero Daniel Udoh puts opponents to Bed

The 22-year-old is quick, strong and has ice in his veins.

When he bears down on goal, the ball hitting the net seems a foregone conclusion.

And Bedford Town simply could not handle him.

The striking sensation grabbed a hat-trick as AFC Telford United progressed to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.

That treble puts him on 10 goals for the season, just 11 games in.

With the way he has been playing, you really have to question why League Two outfit Crewe Alexandra decided to release him at the end of last campaign.

The Railwaymen’s loss is undoubtedly the Bucks’ gain.

Marcus Dinanga shone last term and a 25-goal tally is no small feat. But given Udoh’s form so far, 30 is achievable – although other clubs could soon come sniffing.

Aside from his speed, power and coolness, another of his standout traits is his desire to improve.

He constantly asks boss Gavin Cowan for tips – different ways to get past defenders.

And he put some of those into effect to break through Bedford’s backline.

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 the weekend prior.

The visitors had their moments in the first half too. Dan Walker forced 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.

He was 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 around.

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 attacker and was booked.

But the Nigeria-born hotshot was not to be denied. He completed his treble in stoppage time with another emphatic finish.

The Bucks were worthy winners but 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.